She nodded and curled against me, already falling asleep, secure in the promise of tomorrow.
Chapter 28
Chase
Anna clapped her hands,getting everyone’s attention.
“Thanks to all of you for coming out to help today,” she began. Her voice carried just enough to be heard over the quiet chatter. Almost two dozen people showed up to help clean out the barn. Some were family and crew, but the rest were folks from town who volunteered their time.
I knew she was nervous someone might question her plan—the fallout from having been married to Mason. But they wouldn’t. I knew this group. They’d see what I saw—that she’d thought through every detail to make this go smoothly.
“We’ll start by moving the vehicles and larger machinery to the temporary carports in the field behind the barn. Shout out to Cameron Caldwell and Sterling Construction for loaning them to us.” She smiled and waved to my sister, who beamed back.
Seeing the two of them, as well as Bristol, repair their relationship, tugged at something in my chest.
“After that, the smaller stuff will go to the shed.”She gave them a sheepish smile. “Then comes the hard part. Hope you’re ready to get a little dirty so the barn can get a whole lot cleaner.”
Laughter rippled through the group. I hoped she saw they were here forher, not for me.
Anna definitely had a vision and knew exactly how she wanted this barn dance to come together. She had a list of lists. She spent hours calling or visiting stores, tracking down donations and sponsors, then following up with a personal thank-you note to each of them. The same town that once wasn’t sure how to receive her now welcomed her with open arms. They finally saw what I’d always known—she wasn’t like Mason at all. She really wanted the best for this town and its citizens.
That bastard had spent years chipping away at her confidence, but I loved seeing it grow. Every day, she stood taller and owned more and more of each moment. This barn dance would be a hit no matter how simple it was. But Anna wanted more than “good enough.” She wanted something that made Sterling Mill proud. And hell, if that didn’t make me love her even more.
Everyone broke off into small groups, chatting and joking with each other as they grabbed gloves, wheelbarrows, or brooms. The rumble of tractor engines sputtering to life filled the air, and soon the barn was empty of the vehicles we used to work.
Anna moved from one task to another, checking in and answering questions without hovering. I could see her relaxing as everything came together.
Zach bumped my shoulder and tipped his head toward Anna, who was giving Emalee a high-five for conquering a cobweb the size of a dinner plate. “That’s really goodto see.”
I dragged my eyes away from watching Anna to him, lifting my brow slightly at his words.
“Just saying it took guts for her to come back. I’m glad to see her finally owning her own space here.” He clapped me on the back. “And I’m happy for you, man. You look happier than I’ve seen since I’ve known you.”
“You’re not wrong,” I answered with what probably looked like a dopey grin. I didn’t care. “Definitely happier.”
Zach nodded once and wandered over to his wife and planted a kiss on her lips before sneaking a peek around and grabbing her hand, heading to a far corner.
Shaking my head, I started toward where Anna had been standing, only to find she’d disappeared. I glanced around, but didn’t see her.
Instead, I found Bristol nearby and made the mistake of asking her if she needed help lifting something, which earned me a sharp glare.
“I’m pregnant, not breakable.”
“Just checking.” I held my hands up in mock surrender. “You happen to see where Anna went?”
“Pretty sure I saw her heading toward the bunkhouse a few minutes ago.”
I thanked her and, taking my life into my hands once again, made her promise to take a break soon. She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.
Anna was no doubt fussing over the food she’d gotten up early to make to feed everyone. She’d grown up learning to make from scratch what most people bought pre-made. I’d learned that cooking for others was a pleasure for her, a way of showing she cared. I no longer thought of her as an “employee” at all. Not even close. I had something much more permanent in mind.
But I couldn’t see her giving up cooking either. After allthe time Mason had controlled her, she was reclaiming the things she loved. Maybe even trying to make up for lost time.
Which reminded me of Jordan. She’d folded him under her wing in her quiet way. She constantly looked for ways to care for him, feeding him, casually giving him a book or item of clothing she “just happened to find while cleaning,” treating him like someone who mattered. Like she understood him better than most. And he definitely gravitated towards her, too.
Speaking of the teen, I scanned the barn and the surrounding yard. Nothing.
I grabbed Bodie, who was rolling a bale of chicken wire out of the barn. “You seen Jordan?”
