Maizie’s head shot up. “Why would you do that?”
A smile split her mom’s face. “Finally, I get a reaction from you.”
Maizie’s cheeks burned, and she looked down at her food again. Her mom stopped making sandwiches and took a seat beside her.
“What’s going on with you two?” she asked softly.
Maizie chewed on her bottom lip. “Something. Maybe nothing. I don’t know.”
Her mom drummed her fingers along the table. “I know there’s something. A man doesn’t fight with a girl he has no feelings for.”
“Maybe he’s just really annoying.” Maizie said.
“In my experience, love is often mistaken for annoyance. Especially when it comes to young men,” her mom said with a chuckle.
“I don’t think so.”
“Believe me. I know. Your dad was the same way. So annoyingly smart and perfect. He was too shy to come out and admit his feelings for me, so instead, he teased and joked until he was brave enough to admit it,” her mom said.
Maizie pondered what Christian had said about stopping the game of pretending they hated each other so they wouldn’t have to admit they had feelings for each other. But if she did that, it would ruin everything. She couldn’t protect her heart if she gave it to someone else.
“What’s going on, sweetie?” Her mom asked.
Maizie met her mom’s eyes. “You said so yourself, he’s leaving. I don’t feel like getting my heart broken.” She shrugged indifferently. Although as much as Maizie hated to admit it, it felt like her heart was already breaking at the thought of him ever leaving.
“Salt Lake isn’t that far. You could stay in contact. Why would the relationship have to end when he leaves? ”
Her mom was right. He could break her heart just as easily here. And her heart was indeed breaking. Because every relationship of hers came with an expiration date.
“Because they always do.”
Her mother’s lips parted ready to protest, but the front door opened, and five boys—well, men, except for Mason—tramped into the kitchen.
Her mom stood up and got to work dishing food out, but Maizie stayed put, hugging her knees tight and staring at her sandwich.
“Hey, how are you?” Christian asked her.
Maizie’s head jerked back, connecting with his blue eyes. “Good. Thanks.” She turned back to her food.
Christian lingered by her side a moment longer then moved into the food line. Mason sat beside her, followed by her dad. Christian ended up at the counter with his back to her. His shoulders easily filled out her dad’s shirt where years of hard work on the farm had stretched it out. As if he could feel her eyes on him, he turned, and she shoved another bite of food in her mouth.
This sandwich is taking forever to eat.
“So, Christian.” Her mom broke the silence.
Oh no, here she goes.
“What are your plans for when you return home?”
Maizie’s eyes widened, and she shot her mom a glance that the woman expertly avoided.
Christian cleared his throat. “I’m, uh, going back to the U.”
“Have you decided what to major in?”
“I don’t know yet.” He stared at his own food.
“Well, don’t worry, you will have plenty of time to figure it out. But Eric is sure going to miss such a hard worker like you. It’s hard to find good help around here. All these kids nowadays would rather play video games than do real work.” Her mother laughed pointedly at Mitchell.
