The Whole Package

“It’s fine.” Annie waves a hand at me.

I have no idea what I would do without her. She’s been a godsend for me since my mom up and took off on Hazel and me. She always helps here and there, but lately she’s been doing it a lot more. The more she’s here, the more it costs us, but I’m just happy she can pick up the extra hours.

Normally a check from the state is deposited into Hazel’s account to help with homecare, but I’m pretty sure my mom has had the funds moved to somewhere else. I can’t even call and find out because then the state would find out I’m taking care of Hazel on my own. I can’t risk them taking her from me. Hazel would likely have a breakdown. I probably would, too. I need to get a lawyer to see what can be done, but that takes money and time—two things I don’t have.

“Gabby won’t share.” Hazel shakes her head and her blonde curly hair bounces around her. Gabby jumps up and tries to grab one of her ringlets, making her laugh.

“What do you want for dinner?” I call out, making my way towards them. “I have stuff for spaghetti or grilled cheese with tomato soup.”

“Spaghetti with grilled cheese,” Hazel suggests.

“I can do that.” I look over at Annie, who is getting her stuff together on the front porch. “You wanna join us?” I offer.

“Nah, I’ve got plans today.”

“She’s got a date.” Hazel leans closer to me. “With a boy.” The way she says it makes me laugh. “She gets funny eyes when she talks about it. Like how the girls at the store get when Mason walks by.”

Hazel and I both make a fake gag noise when she says Mason’s name. We always do when it’s just the two of us.

“I don’t get funny eyes!” Annie says as her face turns a little red. She puts her hands on her hips and pretends to glare.

“Oh sorry.” Hazel looks over at me, her eyes dancing with mischief and smiles. God, I love her.

The whole way home I worried about what we’re going to do about insurance for her. We’re so tight on money and I’m always stressed, but a few minutes with my Hazel Basil and I’m laughing. She always does that to me.

“Whatever,” Annie huffs in fake annoyance. “I’ll see you guys later.” She waves as she makes her way to her car.

“How come you never date like Annie? You think boys are gross, too?” She scrunches her nose. Gabby pushes on Hazel, making her almost fall over, but I catch her.

“Who has time for boys when you have a cow, two goats, and too many other animals to remember them all?” I tease.

The animals are a lot to handle, but I couldn’t say no when Hazel somehow got us all of them. Now here we are with our own little farm. She’s passionate about them and they make her face light up every day.

“Maybe a boy could help us with Sugar,” Hazel offers with a bright smile.

My mind flashes to Shawn, and I push the thought away. Don’t even go there. I don’t have time for dating, let alone dating someone like Shawn Reed. He’s way out of my league, and he’s also my boss. Maybe not a day-to-day boss in the store, but he’s in charge. The last thing I need to do is risk my job. I might even be getting a promotion, which will mean more money for Hazel and me. Even if I have to be closer with Mason, I’ll make it work somehow.

“Is she being sassy again?” I ask, trying to get off the subject of boys. That cow is a handful.

“She’s a brat.” Hazel shakes her head like a scolding parent as she gazes at Sugar. “But I love her!” She yells the last part, as if Sugar understands her. “Don’t be mad at me, Sugar!” she adds for good measure. “She needs a sister.”

“Don’t even start.” I point at Hazel in warning. “One cow is enough.”

I watch her smirk and I know she’s already thinking up a way to get another cow. To be honest, I don’t even know where Sugar came from. We just found her roaming on our land one day and she’s never left. So here she stays.

Hazel goes to respond, but I cut her off. “Get the chickens in the coop and put Gabby and Abby away. I’ll start dinner.”

I lean down and kiss Hazel on the top of her head before heading back towards the house. A curse slips free when the top step to the porch gives out and I nearly bust my ass trying to catch myself.

“Crap.” I look back to Hazel. “Watch the step when you come in,” I tell her, pushing myself to my feet.