I’m met with cheers of agreement, and I smile. I’m finally starting to feel hopeful again about the future. My ankle is doing better, and I’m well on the road to being able to do high-level floor routines soon. Coaching would be the icing on the cake. Especially if it means I can stay in Wild Heart with Rhett.
And I’m absolutely in love with the tops I’m sewing for Abby. I’m making her a really cute vest and a light jacket, both of whichshe can wear with comfy t-shirts and jeans. She sent me two extra jerseys, and I’m using one to make a baby quilt for Janie.
We pull onto the main drag and head for the fabric store. I park on the street, get the kids out, and they each grab my hand as we head inside. After I get the thread I need to finish Abby’s outfits, we walk to the donut truck, which is around the corner, parked in front of the river. It’s a lovely day, and several locals and tourists are enjoying donuts and coffee as they sit at the park benches.
I text Baylee that we’re here, and to stop by if she has time. Her salon is just down the street, but she gets really slammed sometimes. As we wait in line, Gabriel tugs on my arm.
He gives me a bashful grin. “Today was fun. I really love tumbling.”
Austin nods. “Love it too.”
I hop on my toes. “I’m so glad. We’re just getting started. There’s so much more cool stuff to do.”
Misty Reynolds, the sheriff’s daughter, waves us forward when it’s our turn. “Hey, Paige. Boys, it’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Misty. It’s lovely to see you too.” We chitchat about her family for a few minutes. I get the boys their donuts and order a dozen cookies so I can take them to the guys at home, and I grab myself an iced latte.
Misty nods. “It’ll be a ten-minute wait on those cookies, but they’ll be fresh out of the oven.”
“Sounds great. We’re not in a rush.”
“Wonderful. Hey, are you and the Walker brothers coming to the Moonlight Mixer? My older sister wants to know.”
Beau and Jace are popular with the women in this town. Mav is too, but he’s in Charming for football training camp. “I’m trying to talk them into going.” The Moonlight Mixer is a yearly fundraiser to help local families in need. The highlight of thenight is usually when the handsome single men ask the older gals from the nursing home to dance.
“Oh, fantastic. She’ll be so excited.”
After I get the kids seated with their donuts and cartons of milk, I head back to the donut truck to wait for our order, and I send off another text. I’ve been added to the super-selective Walker brothers texting group, so I use this opportunity to razz them.
Me: The ladies of Wild Heart have been inquiring whether the single Walker men will be attending the Moonlight Mixer. What should I tell them? Beau, Jace, will y’all be making an appearance?
Jace: Isn’t that more than a month away?
Me: It’s never too early for the ladies to plan who they want to dance with.
Beau: Will there be food?
Jace: Do I have to wear a tie?
Me: I’m sure there will be food, and you don’t need to wear a tie.
Mav: Am I not invited? I can’t go, but I feel left out.
Me: Of course you’re invited, goof.
Mav: For the record, I still have nightmares about Mrs. Kramer’s false teeth!
Beau: Jesus, I forgot about that. LMFAO.
Me: Do I want to know what happened?
Jace: Mrs. Kramer took out her falsies mid-dance with Mav and dropped them into some random person’s glass of water.
I cover my mouth. I love my brothers-in-law. They’re crazy.
Me: Sorry I missed that! Hey, before I forget, good luck at your game this weekend, Mav. I’ll be cheering for you.
Mav: Thanks, Paige. Games won’t be the same without you on the sidelines.
