Here With Me

Leon chuffs a laugh and turns away toward the shed. “Yeah, maybe one day. When he takes me seriously.”

My lips tighten, and I watch him jog away toward the shed. I’ve been waiting for Sawyer to come to me, you know, the whole, when you love something set it free? Maybe it’s time to stop waiting for my bird to fly home and go get it.

Deacon is at the table with Noel when I push through the door. He lifts his chin and gives me a little nod. I hop over and give him a shoulder-hug.

“How was Dallas? Aunt Winnie still busting your balls?”

“Pretty much.” He presses his full lips together and passes Noel what looks like a profit and loss spreadsheet. “See what you think.”

My friend takes it and turns it over in her hands. “This is it? My five-year plan?”

“It’s what you told me. You don’t have to follow it unless it’s really what you want to do.”

Deacon’s wearing Armani, but his collar is unbuttoned and his jacket is open. He’s the most casual rich boy I’ve ever known in my life—so accustomed to the finer things, he doesn’t even consider being careful with his expensive suit.

I remember freshman year when he walked into our accounting class. Thick, dark hair and piercing blue eyes… all the female students sat up straighter in their chairs. Then he walked over and sat right by me. I didn’t know whether to be smug or fee

l sad. Sawyer had claimed my heart so completely, I had no interest in this sexy Dallas boy at my side.

“What are you doing for dinner tomorrow night?” I punch his shoulder, and his brow furrows.

“You asking me out again?” He’s teasing, but Noel’s eyes are on us. She’s been determined we’re hooking up since college.

“Ma wants you to come over for dinner. She thinks she can feed you and get free financial advice for her bee business.”

“Your mom can bribe me with food any day of the week.” He winks, but I just shake my head.

“I’ll tell her you said yes. I’m sorry I bothered y’all.” I kiss Noel’s head, and she slants her eyes at me.

“You’re not bothering us. I’ll give you a call later.”

I want to help with the mess I’ve created for Sawyer. Leon’s right. He looks at us as things he needs to take care of, responsibilities… burdens.

His truck pulls up behind the shed, and I head for the door. It’s time to show him I can take care of myself.

6

Sawyer

“Now I feel like shit. I didn’t know you’d have to fix it by yourself.” Mindy stands beside me watching.

I’m on my knees in the muck doing my best not to knock the three-wheeler off its unstable jack.

“Who’d you think was going to help me?” The words come out on a grunt as I push against the socket wrench. “The tire fairy?”

She leans forward at my shoulder, and the scent of lilac drifts to me. It’s a nice contrast to the mud.

“I thought Leon would help you.”

“I sent him with Taron to get more palettes.” The wheel’s off, and I stand.

She steps back, facing me, still in that thin sundress, her dark hair falling in slick waves over her shoulders. By contrast, I’ve got sweat running down the sides of my neck, and I’m covered in mud from the knees down. Nice.

“I got this.” I carry the flat over to where the replacement waits. “Can’t have Taron throwing his back out this close to harvest.”

“I can help you.”

I quickly remove the damaged rubber from the rim and grab a tire iron to ease the new one in place. She stands watching with her hands on her hips.