We’ve waited as long as we could for the auction, but that also means our funds are getting low. I cut the check and stare at it with a stone in my stomach.
I turn to the wall calendar, where this Friday and Saturday are circled in bright red Sharpie. Will we be able to sell any of our animals this weekend? Will the farm be ruined if we don’t?
I can’t believe that Harlan would pull the rug out from under us. Is he that heartless? Rhett must know him better than I do, but I don’t think we should give up.
My phone rings. It’s Abby.
When I answer, her happy voice makes me smile. “How’s the baby?”
“Janie’s doing great. She’s such a happy girl. Nick says she’s perfect.”
“Of course she is.” That knot I’m getting familiar with tightens my throat. “I’m so happy for you. Send me photos when you get a chance.” I might be in misery, but I love Abby and Nick and want the best for them.
“I wore your vest to Saturday’s game. I got so many compliments. I hope you don’t mind, but I gave your info to a few of the other wives and girlfriends.”
I tilt my head. “You meanNFL players’wives and girlfriends?”
She chuckles. “Yes.”
“That’s… wow. That’s cool.”
“Think you could make me something else if I send you more jerseys? I want to get in the queue in case you get busy.”
This is the perfect project to get my mind off everything. I grab a piece of paper to take notes. “What did you have in mind?”
When I get off the phone, I’m feeling more hopeful. I decide that Rhett needs me to be optimistic. We can figure our way out of this situation if we put our heads together.
I’ll deal with him and the Darlene situation later. There’s a reckoning coming for sure, but first we have to make sure we don’t go bankrupt. Then I’ll chew out his ass.
I get into the kitchen and start making lunch. I’m sure the guys are going to have another long day. The least I can do is get them something to eat. Eventually, Pauline brings the boys in, and I feed them a pasta salad and some grilled ham and cheese sandwiches with pickles.
After an hour, though, I start to worry that the guys aren’t going to make it home again, when I hear a truck door slam.
Beau and Rhett are back. They look exhausted.
“Hey, guys.” I force some cheer into my voice because they look like they could use it. Rhett and I might not be in a good place right now, but I know he’s going through a lot. So I put the Darlene drama and my pregnancy and the fact that he’s being distant aside. “I’m making lunch. Are you hungry?”
Beau gives me a small smile. “Food would be great.”
Rhett barely looks at me. “Sure.”
Sure? When we get done with this crisis, I’m going to throttle him for being an asshole. In the meanwhile, I practice deep breathing.
I return to the stove, where I grill their sandwiches. On the counter, my phone lights up with a message. I don’t recognize the number. I pull it up and press speaker so I can finish cooking.
“Hi, Paige. This is Lauren Wilcox from Elite Cheer in Florida. I got your number from your former coach, who said you might be available this fall. I need a full-time coach to work with my advanced high school-aged kids. Are you interested? Give me a call so we can chat. Here’s the thing, though. I would need to know as soon as possible.”
Holy shit. I grin, excited that they thought of me. Obviously, I can’t run off to Florida now, but I’m so honored they thought of me.
Looking up, I find Rhett watching me. “That’s the sister program to the one in Austin.”
“Are you gonna go?” he asks.
I frown. “They’re in Florida.”
He shrugs. “So? They’re a good program, right? Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Is he for real right now? Why is he acting like this? “Rhett, I’m not sure why?—”
