Page 84 of All I Need

She smiles so brightly, her perfectly straight teeth that show off what I assume is some excellent orthodontic work. “Yeah, that’s okay.”

“Good.”

Walker rolls up his window and we sit in silence as we sip on our drinks. Grayson is so much like Walker it makes me wonder if that’s how he was in high school around girls. I imagine every single girl clamored for his attention.

I see Walker glance at me in the rearview mirror. He winks like he knows what I’m thinking.

“Can I get a doughnut?” Grayson asks.

“Pick one out first, Ellie.”

Walker. Even chivalrous when it comes to doughnut selection. I could fall in love with him.

“You’re such a good little girl,” I coo as I sit next to Camilla on the hay bedding. Stormy is laying on her other side, watching me closely.

“Anyone else think this is weird?” Grayson asks, not even trying to be quiet.

Neither Brett nor Walker answer him. A loud clash of thunder booms and Camilla doesn’t even flinch, easing my worries.

“I feel like you’re wanting to say I told you so,” I tell Walker.

“I would never say that.”

“Out loud. But you’re thinking it.” I glance at him from my place beside the adorable little calf and his eyes dance. He makes a motion that he’s zipping his lips.

Brett walks over and crouches down next to me. “She’s really healthy and Stormy is a good mama.”

His words help me relax a little bit. Stormy’s a good mama. She wants to be here for Camilla. She wouldn’t desert her.

I turn my head to look at Brett. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. But you’re welcome to come see her anytime you’d like.”

What is it with this town? I haven’t met a single person who doesn’t welcome a newcomer with open arms.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Anytime. You wanna hang in here with her for a few minutes?”

I lay my head down on Camilla’s back and the three guys laugh lowly.

Soon it’s just me alone with Camilla and Stormy. I sit with them, breathing in the oddly comforting scent in the barn. The patter of rain hitting the metal roof of the barn threatens to lull me to sleep. A sigh escapes my throat. I don’t remember the last time I’ve felt this calm or relaxed. “I like it here, Camilla. You have a good home but I think you know that. You seem pretty satisfied with your surroundings. Brett says your mama is good with you,” I say. “I hope it’s the truth because no one deserves to have a shitty mom.”

Movement by the stall door catches my eye and I lift my head to see Walker standing there watching me, arms crossed over his chest and a thoughtful expression on his face.

He pushes off from the door and is next to me in three long strides. “You said you like it here. As in here or…” he grips my hand and squeezes, “here?”

I reach up and cradle his face. “Here.”

He closes his eyes then rests his forehead against mine. “Real happy to hear that.”

“Where are we going tonight?”

“Nope. Not gonna tell you yet.”

I groan and Camilla makes the most adorable little high pitched moo and I spring back to her, laying my head on her back. I briefly wonder if Stormy is going to show me that I’m overstepping but a quick glance in her direction tells me that she knows I love her baby almost as much as she does. She doesn’t seem the least bit bothered.

“Never thought I’d see the day where a baby calf steals my girl from me.”

I lift my head so I’m facing him and he leans over, kissing me firmly on the lips. “Just so we’re clear, I like having you here. A lot. And I don’t have any plans on letting you go.”

Tears burn the back of my eyes and he shakes his head.

“No more tears. Happy or otherwise. Well, especially otherwise.”

But he doesn’t know what hearing him call me his girl does to me.

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