Page 41 of Always Mine

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“DidCooper say when he’d be here?” I ask Hunter.

The party is in full swing and we’re in charge of the barn, handing out dry corn for the kids to feed the cows.

“He had a work call come up at the last minute and said he’d be here after.”

“Everything okay?” I suddenly feel bad about our lack of conversation lately. We’ve texted but it’s been mostly about me. I should have checked in on him more. I’m the worst.

“I think so. We finished that project in Anderson quicker than expected. I know the owner was interested in using Cooper’s company for future projects.”

That’s really great. He’s worked so hard to build up his business over the last two years. “Oh, that’s good news. I’ll ask him about it once he’s here.”

“I’m sure it’ll be soon.”

“Wyatt, Mama needs your help re-tacking a banner that fell down near the corn maze,” Ember calls from the barn entrance. “Dad’s driving some kids around on a hayride right now so he can’t do it.”

I throw my scoop into the bag of corn, then dust my hands on my pants as I look at Hunter. “You good here?”

Hunter nods, dumping a little scoopful into the waiting kid’s hands. “All good.”

“I’ll be back.”

I spot Ember on my way out of the barn, trying and failing to paint what I’m guessing is a cat on some poor girl’s cheek.

“That’s a nice dragon you got there,” I call to her when I pass like the good brother I am. “You got some mad skills.”

She cuts me a glare before the fakest smile I’ve ever seen crosses her lips. “Be glad there’s children around or I’d be saying some not-nice things to you right now.”

I laugh, blowing her a kiss as I retreat further. “Love you too.”

The whole farm is packed with families everywhere trying out all the activities. This is one of the things I love about living in a small town. Sure, we do the most random events, and I feel like I’m always busy, but I live for this.

I go to the maze first, but don’t see anything wrong with the banner. “It’s already been fixed,” Miles tells me, directing people into the maze. He must have shown up with Hunter and I didn’t notice.

“Damn, my mama is putting you to work too? She’s relentless.”

He smiles shyly, then motions for two girls to head in. “I offered. It’s not a big deal.”

Miles is a good kid. He works hard at Red’s and is always doing little projects for people in town to make money. He and Hunter have been through a lot over the years, but somehow manage to stay positive and keep smiling. I could stand to take a lesson or two from them.

“You need anything?”

He shakes his head, waving to the next group of people to go in. “I’m good. Haven’t been here that long. You’re mom just left a few minutes ago.”

I glance around to scope her out. “Do you know where she went?”

“Not sure.” He shrugs. “Your nana pulled her somewhere.”

“Great.” I sigh, earning a chuckle from Miles. Everyone knows Nana is the head honcho of the gossip mill, so I’m guessing he feels my pain.

“Good luck.” His eyes dance with humor and he gives me a little shoulder pat. It’s exactly what his brother would do.

“Gee, thanks.” My tone is teasing, and I give him a wave before wandering around, trying to find my mama and chattering Nana.

It doesn’t take long for me to spot them. They’re sitting at one of the tables, but I can’t tell who they’re with. I head to them, weaving through dozens of people in the process. It’s almost dinnertime now, so it makes sense this would be the most packed area.

I finally get to them, only paying attention to my mama and Nana. “There you are,” I tell them, smacking a kiss to each of their cheeks. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Ember said you needed a banner hung up, but Miles said it was already fixed.”

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