Page 54 of When the Storm Breaks
“It’s all good. How’ve you been?”
“Lemme out, Daddy.” Noah had already unbuckled the straps of his booster seat and was trying to get out of the truck. I missed the days when he couldn’t get out of his seat without help. “Stupid child locks,” he complained, jiggling the handle and shoving his shoulder against the door as if that would magically open it. “I want to see Hayley.”
Dale chuckled. “Boy’s on a mission. Better let him out before he hurts himself.”
Inwardly, I groaned then took another stab at trying to keep him from getting his own way. “Just wait in the car for Viv. She won’t be long.”
“But she’s talking to Hayley.” He stared out his closed window then climbed into the front passenger seat.
“Don’t even think about opening that door.”
“I can climb out the window.”
It was a battle of wills. Guess who was going to win?
“Hurry, Daddy, I don’t wanna miss her. I need to tell her something.”
Sure, he did.
Dale took a couple steps back to give me room and I pushed open my door and rounded the hood to let Noah out. My kid was spoiled, used to getting his own way, and here I was giving in to his demands. The longer we stayed at this farm stand, the harder it would be to get away from the Petersons, but Shiloh was still talking to Meredith and Hayley.
As soon as Noah was free from the confines of the truck, he raced over to Hayley who gave him a big hug like it had been years instead of days since they’d last seen each other. I watched him with one eye while Dale joined me next to my truck to discuss the rising cost of real estate in the Hill Country. It was one of his favorite topics. Real estate, sports, and the weather. Thrilling.
“Your ears must have been ringing. I was just telling Meredith that you should turn your property into one of those luxury ranches. A farm to table restaurant. Some rustic luxury accommodations with all the amenities. Hell, you could even put in a spa. City folk pay top dollar to get away from it all. My firm is always looking for venues to host corporate retreats and team-building exercises. You could offer trail rides and hunting.”
Yeah, no. Not fucking happening. Nothing about that sounded even remotely appealing but I took exception to the last part. “Hunting?”
He held up his hands. “It wouldn’t have to be animals.” He rubbed his jaw, considering. “Well, maybe duck or pheasant hunting.”
“Ducks and pheasants are animals.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure. Or you could do clay pigeon hunting.”
I clenched my jaw and breathed through my nose to stop myself from telling him he could shove his plan up his ass. No need to be rude to the guy. Lila was always on my case, telling me I had to play nice with the other parents. And look where that had gotten me. As of four or five months ago, I was put in charge of Saturday morning ‘playdates’ for Noah and Hayley while Dale and Meredith played eighteen holes with another couple. Could have done without those, but it made Noah happy, so I soldiered through them.
“Appreciate your thinking of me, but I’m just fine keeping things the way they are.”
As far as I was concerned, the subject was closed. But Dale kept talking. “It could be a real boost to the economy too. Think of how many more locals you can employ.”
Think of all the money it would cost to turn my land into a luxury ranch I’d never in a million years consider. “I’ll give it some thought,” I said, to appease him.
My gaze wandered to Shiloh who was talking to Meredith. Her smile looked fake, and her laughter sounded forced. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she looked nervous. I highly doubted that Dale and Meredith Peterson would know who she was but maybe she was worried they would recognize her.
Dale might have still been talking when I walked away from him and joined Shiloh. Without thinking, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, feeling like she needed my protection.
Meredith smiled. “You two make a beautiful couple. Don’t they, Dale?”
“Sure do.”
“We’re not—”
Shiloh cut me off. “Thank you.”
Not sure what that was about but she leaned into me and put her hand on my chest as if to steady herself. “You good?”
She nodded, that same tight smile on her face. “I’m fine. I just... um...” She cleared her throat. Her eyes were hidden behind big black sunglasses, but I didn’t need to see them to know she wasn’t fine. “I have to pay for my things.”
“You already paid, honey,” the elderly woman said with a small laugh.
