Firefly Lane (Briar County 1)

Roe and Wyatt had come out one afternoon too, and they’d driven the tractors like they’d talked about. Sean had loved it.

“You sure are a big help to your uncle,” Holden heard behind him as he was finishing cutting a piece of wood. It was Roe’s brother Dennis, talking to Sean, while his dad and Colby lingered nearby.

“Thanks!” Sean beamed at the praise. He soaked that in from men in a way he didn’t from Marilee, probably because Adam had never said those kinds of things to him. “I like doing it. I want to help Uncle Holden all summer.”

“Well, that’s good because you’re stuck with me.” Holden pulled his goggles off and walked toward them. Maybe he wasn’t giving Dennis a fair shot, but Holden wasn’t too fond of him, not after what Roe had told him about their argument. Roe was over it—that was just how he rolled—while Holden held on to shit for too long.

“Lookin’ good in here.” Dennis wiped the sweat from his brow.

“Haven’t gotten much done yet, but thanks.”

“I’m surprised Mama put you to work here instead of Apple Stop,” Colby said. “That damn place really needs some remodeling.”

“That’s where you guys serve cider and apple doughnuts in the fall?” Sean asked.

“Yep.” Colby smiled at Sean, then looked at Holden.

Jesus, was there anything they didn’t do at Covington Acres? Holden was beginning to doubt there was.

“Roe says you’re a pilot?” he added.

“Yeah, I am.”

“Wow, that’s pretty amazing.”

Holden chuckled. “It’s a job.”

“We gonna sit around and gossip all day, or are you planning on getting some work done?” Roe’s dad—Charles—said. “Not you,” he told Holden. “I’m talking to these two.”

Dennis said, “Yeah, speaking of Apple Stop, Mama didn’t have him work there because she’s waiting until next season. Harvest starts soon.” He turned to Holden. “It’s why we’ve been so busy. Too few hands, too much work.”

Holden was probably taking that out of context, but he bristled, wondering if Dennis was trying to make it sound like they were extra busy because Roe didn’t help, so he said, “Looks like you’re doing a good job. I know it’s been hectic at the store for Roe too.”

If they caught on that he was defending Roe, they didn’t show it. They said their goodbyes and made their way out of the barn, leaving Sean and Holden to their work.

“They’re nice,” Sean said.

“Yeah, kid. They are.”

“Everyone is really nice here, don’t you think? Especially Roe. I can’t believe he gave Mama a goat.”

Marilee had cried when Roe brought her the goat, now named Polly. Marilee was already talking about finding a place where she could take her when they moved. She brought the damn thing into the cabin too—with Roe’s permission. Holden was pretty sure she thought it was a puppy instead, but it felt good to see her so happy.

“Somehow,” Holden said, “I’m not surprised at all.”

“Why? ’Cause Roe’s so nice?”

That was the exact reason, but even though it was true, Holden didn’t want Sean to read anything into it. “We should get back to work. You gotta earn that paycheck I’m giving you.” He nudged him playfully. He was paying Sean out of his earnings for helping him. The kid deserved it.

“Okay.” Sean tugged his goggles on. “Hey, Uncle Holden?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you…for teaching me this stuff and bringing me with you. I…I really like it.”

Jesus, this kid. He was going to tear Holden’s heart to shreds. “I like working with you too.”

They got busy after that. Holden found his thoughts drifting to Roe entirely too much—his relationship with his family, the farm, the damn goat, and…fuck, how much Holden wanted him. It burned inside him, and he wasn’t sure what to do with it. Part of him wanted to extinguish it before it flared out of control. The heat felt…dangerous. Yet at the same time, he wanted to add gas so they could go up in flames.

They were weird thoughts, unfamiliar thoughts, so Holden ignored them. It was a whole lot easier that way.

He and Sean left the farm around three thirty. Roe was still at work. Marilee was too. Holden jumped into the shower, then threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

“How you doing?” he asked Sean.

“Okay. I’m gonna shower too and then play some video games.”

He nodded…thought… “I think I’m gonna head out for a bit, go for a drive or do some exploring or something.”

This might be a bad idea. Hell, for all he knew, Roe had plans, but he figured if they didn’t find a way to cut out some time for themselves, it might be a struggle to find it.

Holden didn’t let himself overthink how much he wanted this, wanted Roe. He just went with it because it felt good, and when did anything really feel good? He went through the motions well, but so much in his life didn’t feel deep, didn’t feel real. The idea of spending time with Roe felt good.