“Is that so? Anything you’d want to do out in the country?”
“I’d like to ride a horse and see a cow poop.”
“Well, you’ve come to the right man, Grant.”
“Like I told Daisy, I’ll be by the house to pick him up around nine tomorrow morning. His foster mother is having Lasik this afternoon, and since her husband is out of town, she didn’t know how her eyes would be tonight. I suggested he stay with you because you’re amazing.”
“Sounds good. Grant, are you ready to have some fun with a funny guy?”
“You don’t look funny.”
I pretended to exit the office but instead ran into the wall and let out a chuckle. “We’d better get going before this office is the death of me.”
A few minutes later, we headed down the sidewalk with Grant looking up at me with every step.
“I hope I’m as big as you when I grow up.”
I grabbed him by the waist and popped him up on my shoulders. “Why wait?”
“Yay! I’m big!”
“Does the big guy want to get some ice cream at Ted and Wally’s?”
“Yes!”
We strolled down the sidewalk, and I was instantly reminded that this was a small town as glances and whispers were all around me; like a zipping grass fire, word was out about my and Abby’s demise.
The little bell above the door rang out as we entered the ice cream parlor that had been in the same spot for decades. As we reached the counter, Pam Bolden, who I’d graduated with, flashed me a smile. Always hot and was always dating someone back in the day.
“Hello, boys. What can I get you today?”
I pulled Grant from my shoulders, and he pressed his nose against the glass, his big eyes peering hungrily at the many flavors in front of him.
“I don’t know yet. Let me think.”
“Okay, sweetie. We’ll give you a few minutes.” Her gaze returned to me. “I heard about you and Abby breaking up. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Life goes on.”
“Why don’t I stop by this week and bring you some of my muffins.” Her eyes sparkled. “I’m the best baker around. I’m sure I can cheer you up.”
I focused on keeping my eyes north of her low-cut shirt, revealing cleavage any man would appreciate.
“I’d like your muffins.” She jumped and looked at Grant, while I bit my cheeks to keep from busting a gut. “I’d like chocolate chip ice cream, too.”
Pam was a little flustered as she scooped his order onto a cone.
As we drove down the winding road toward the ranch, I found out Grant was a chatterbox.
“So, your family ownsallthis land?
“Yes, sir, as far as your eyes can see.”
“The trees too?”
“Yup.”
He pointed. “What about that little stream over there?”
