Page 11 of Second Chance Valentine

“What? I’m a nice guy. I want to do something for the old folks.”

“Uh huh.” I feel the urge to slug him on the shoulder, but I don’t want to spook the horse.

“Shut up. Will you help me or not?”

“You know I don’t like being involved in stuff. I don’t like people.”

“I’m not asking you to man the punch bowl and jitterbug with the old ladies. I just need you to help me do some cleaning, wax the floors and stuff like that.”

“You just rolled into town and you’re already volunteering me for community service,” he says, shaking hishead, but the corners of his mouth are threatening to tip up into a smile. “Fine. But only if I don’t have to talk to anybody.”

“Deal.”

“And you’re gonna owe me.”

“I figured you’d say that.”

???

Our old friend Sully shows up to help with clean up too. It turns out his fiance Mariah is helping out with the dance too. Over the next few days, Sully, Baylor and I spend hours together cleaning up the gym and we pick up right where we left off, reminiscing and giving each other a hard time. After some serious attention with a Shop Vac and countless buckets of dirty water, the once grimy floor starts to reveal its former luster. It’s so satisfying to clean something up and make it better than the way you found it.

“Knock knock,” a voice calls from the doorway. A woman with curly brown hair enters the gym and a little girl races around her, hugging Sully.

“This is my daughter, Addie,” Sully says.

“Hello, Addie,” I say, but she’s already climbing the bleachers.

Sully wraps his arms around the pretty brunette and leans in for a kiss.

“And this is Mariah,” he says after they pull themselves apart.

“I figured. Nice to meet you. I’m Branson,” I say, shaking her hand.

“I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Only believe the good stuff,” I joke.

Sully is grinning from ear to ear and he can’t seem to keep his eyes off his new love. Last night, Ginger told me about how his ex had walked out on him and his newborn daughter a few years ago. It’s good to see him happy again after that.

“We’ve come to measure for decorations and tables. And to tell you that Fiona wants you all to come by the bar and grill tonight for a little impromptu reunion.”

I glance around and notice that my brother is nowhere to be seen. It looks like he was serious about not wanting to talk to anyone else.

“Yeah, that sounds fun. Who else is coming?”

Mariah presses her lips together like she’s trying not to laugh, but Sully is not so subtle.

“He’s asking if Ginger will be there,” he says, stuffing my head under his armpit and rubbing my hair.

“Hey, cut it out!” I yell, sounding every bit the lovesick teenager I am.

“I know what he’s asking. She’ll be there if Fiona and I have anything to do with it. Come on, Addie. Time to go!” she calls out.

“Does everyone in this town know my business?” I grumble as the door slams behind them.

“Can’t keep a secret in Evergreen Mountain. Have you been gone so long, you forgot?”

“It’s not a secret. I’m just not used to everyone being so involved. Wait, did you tell Mariah? Or do you think Ginger mentioned me?”

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