“Yarn? What project?”
I laugh, feeling a tad guilty for riling up Dag. “Archer’s been teaching the ladies to crochet. That’s probably where Goldie is. They take over the game room on Tuesday nights.”
“Oh. Cool. So Goldie and Archer don’t have a thing?”
“I doubt it. Archer has a thing for his ex.”
Dag grins. “Nice girl. She’s roommates with my cousin’s fiancée.”
“Doesn’t his fiancée work at the donut shop in Stadtburg?” Connections are so intertwined in these parts it’s sometimes hard to keep track.
“Yeah. Layla. That’s her.” Then he slaps a hand over his mouth. “But I’m not supposed to mention that Lettie lives here. So you didn’t hear it from me.”
That’s why the woman in Archer’s picture looked so familiar.
“He doesn’t know?”
“Please don’t say anything. I’ll be in the doghouse. And my cousin Nico will really be in the dog house.” He flashes his get-out-of-trouble smile. “I’ll buy you barbecue if you keep the secret.”
“Sure.” It’s something to do that gets me away from the cabin.
“Hop in.”
After climbing into the truck, I shoot off a text to Bluebonnet, letting her know I’m going out with Dag. She has her crochet, so she probably won’t be disappointed.
Dag talks all the way into town, and I’m not being much of a friend because I’m so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I’m only catching every fifth word. So I focus.
“Don’t you think that will be fun?” He glances over, eyebrows raised.
“What will be fun?”
“Keep up. I’m throwing a big party because Goldie and I are turning thirty-five. We have the same birthday. We were even born in the same hospital. She doesn’t know what room, but we were probably next door or across the hall or something.”
I’m dumbfounded. When Dag talks about Goldie, his affection for her is clear, but sometimes he seems like he feels more than friendship toward her. And if that’s the case, why doesn’t he just ask her out?
“A party will be great.”
“Yeah. Good. Mark it on your calendar. I want everyone to be there. This birthday will be extra special.” He turns up the radio as Blake Shelton starts singing “No Body”. “Oh, I love this song.”
I’m not sure whose body Dag’s thinking about, but maybe I should start singing this song when I shower. It’s been a while since I’ve sung anything, and I miss it.
* * *
I’mgross and nasty from mucking stalls when Mr. Moore walks into the barn. Bluebonnet’s dad has been around more since the wedding, but he doesn’t normally show up unannounced.
“Howdy, sir.” I lean the rake against the wall and pull down my bandana.
“Parker, hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”
“If you don’t mind the way I smell, we’re all good.” I nod to the bench. “Have a seat if you’d like.”
He crosses his arms and stays standing. “Is Bluebonnet okay? She’s never really confided in me, so I haven’t pushed. But I know she talks to you.”
I’m trying to figure out an answer that won’t worry her dad. “She’s pretty quiet overall these days, but I think she’s okay.”
“Good. I trust you to take care of her.”
I don’t feel like I’m doing a good job of that, and ideas for fixing things aren’t showing up like light bulb thoughts in cartoons.
