Page 84 of Wild For You
I tugged on a pair of cowboy boots with pretty sunflowers decorating the leather. They were a gift from Rory for my birthday last year. I’d worn them a few times in Nashville, but since living in Ashfield, I wore them as much as possible.
When I swept my hair into a ponytail, the curls at the bottom brushed along my shoulder blades. My bangs had grown out a bit and curtained my eyes.
With a quick glance in the mirror, I looked over at myself. My eyes were bright, smile was easy, and my skin had never looked better. I knew most women attributed those changes to their pregnancies, but I thought it had more to do with the fact that I’d never been happier.
The drive downtown was quick, and I parked in the public parking area by the courthouse. As many times as I’d come to the town with Rory and Andrew, there were still shops and restaurants I’d never explored. I hoped to remedy that today.
There were three main rows of buildings on either side of Main Street, and they spanned five to seven small blocks. Dog parks and kids' play areas were scattered throughout small openings between buildings where a road or alleyway didn’t cross. Ashfield’s downtown made the most of the small space it occupied. Rory mentioned that, over the last decade, buildings had been added on, all with the stipulation they’d appear like they’d been there all along. Vacant space was usually spoken for as soon as a For Lease sign was posted in a window.
Speaking of my best friend—my phone rang, and when I tugged it from my crossbody bag, I saw her name flashing on the screen.
“Hi,” I said cheerfully, stepping out of my car. I’d taken my sunglasses off but reached back inside to grab them. The sun was extra bright today.
“Hey. What are you up to today?” she asked, and I could tell by the background noise she was sitting in a busy area.
“I’m exploring more of your hometown.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’ve only seen about half the shops here. I’m excited,” I told her.
“Is Andrew with you?”
“No, he’s at the farm.” A loud crash sounded… and then some arguing. “Where are you?” I asked.
“Ugh. The cesspool of crazy.”
“The airport?” I guessed.
“Nailed it. We’re headed to Miami to pick up Gigi from her all-seniors cruise.”
Gigi was Talon’s wealthy grandmother who had bought a summer home in Ashfield when Rory and Talon made this their primary residence. I’d met her twice, because even though she was in her late-eighties, the woman could run circles around most forty-year-olds, and she was always off jet-setting somewhere.
“I bet she tried to captain the ship,” I joked, and Rory joined in my laughter.
I leaned against my car as we chatted about when they’d be back in town. Talon was opening a few hotels overseas, and she was traveling with him, camera in hand. She was a supremely talented photographer, and if it hadn’t been for him, she may have let her dream sit on the back burner.
“I can’t believe you get to go to all those exotic places. I am so jealous.”
“Living out of a suitcase isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I miss sleeping in my own bed and hearing the roosters wake me up at 5:00 a.m.”
“You miss teaching too, don’t you?” I asked matter-of-factly.
“I do, but… I’m hoping to use those skills soon.” Her words sank in, and I straightened.
“What are you saying? Are you pregnant?” I asked, and Betsy, who worked at the grocery store bakery, eyed me, wanting to know more. The woman was the head of the gossipers in town. If you wanted to know anything, she was the person to ask.
I moved in a different direction so she wouldn’t overhear anything else, as Rory replied, “No. Not yet, at least. We’re trying though. Actively.”
“Oh, Rory. That’s so exciting. Maybe we’ll have kids close in age,” I spoke quietly. Mentally, I was adding that to the pro column for staying in Ashfield.
“Actually, that was part of why I was calling. I wanted to check on you. I’ve been such a terrible friend. I don’t think I’ll see you until Sadie’s wedding, and then I’m off again.”
“We talk most days.” Though, it had been almost two weeks since we chatted last. Right after the Caleb debacle. My lawyer and I were still waiting on him to sign the dissolution of rights paperwork. “But I’m feeling good. Great even.”
“That’s good. And no issues living with Andrew?”
“Nope. He gave me the bedroom, and he’s been sleeping on the air mattress,” I lied. At least some of that was true—hedidoffer to give me the bedroom, but I enjoyed sharing the space with him. Plus, I wasn’t about to ask him to sleep anywhere that wasn’t nearly as comfortable while he was recovering. And the air mattress he ordered weeks ago to replace mine sat in its box,unused. “We kind of just make things work. I make sure he does his exercises, and he makes sure I rest.”
