Page 43 of Want You Back

Colt

“Hey, Sheriff!”

Everywhere I went at the county fair, locals greeted me. I was purposefully in uniform to represent the department. Like it or not, I was a public figure in the county, and this was the sort of event where I was expected to make an appearance and shake some hands.

“Hey, Sheriff!” An older woman with white hair and a gleam in her eye caught my sleeve. “I’ve been meaning to call about my neighbor’s pool. Kids all hours of the day and night. Loud as anything.”

“It’ll be fall soon enough,” I said mildly. She didn’t drop my sleeve, so I added, “But feel free to call our non-emergency line.”

I fielded several other complaints as Willow and I wove our way through the county fairgrounds. The annual fair featured not only the rodeo events but also rides, games, food, and exhibits for things like quilts and canning demos. The main thoroughfare swarmed with people for Willow and me to dodge. Tinny music from the rides carried along with distant shouts from the games on the midway.

“We need to find Hannah.” Willow had a determined stride. She had been ready since six this morning in her best wranglers and fancy pink western shirt with pearl snaps. The junior division barrel racing wasn’t until early evening, but she was a ball of excitement and none too patient about all the folks stopping us to say hello. “And Maverick. He’s bringing someone.”

“Bringing someone?” I pulled up short. This was news to me. We’d both been slammed all week, barely enough time for some texting let alone a decent conversation.

“A friend. I think.” Willow waved her hand like she was bored of this gossip. “From California. Hannah said he’s nice.”

“Ah.” I took a deep breath. I was not jealous. I had no claim on Maverick or his time, and there was no evidence that this mystery person was anything other than a friend. No reason at all for my skin to heat and my pulse to race. “How…nice for them.”

“You like him, don’t you?” Narrowing her eyes, Willow peered up at me.

“Maverick is my friend.” I hedged. The middle of the fairgrounds was not the place for this conversation.

“That’s not what I meant.” Willow dug her boot heel into the dusty dirt. Apparently, we were indeed going to have this talk here.

“Would it be bad if I did like him?” I asked softly. Ever since the movie date, I’d wondered if or how to broach the subject with Willow. I didn’t want to lie to her, but I was still figuring out for myself what Maverick and I were.

“Dunno.” Willow shrugged, but her stormy eyes told a different story. However, before I could reply, she brightened. “There’s Grandma!”

“Hey, Sheriff!” My mother was accompanied by my younger sister, and they appeared to be in playful moods with wide, teasing grins. Both shared my dark hair and height genes and walked with the sort of purpose that also seemed to be genetic.

“Hey, Mama. Tiffany.” I handed out hugs.

“You ready to ride, Willow?” my mom asked Willow as they also hugged.

“Yes, ma’am.” Willow gazed up at her, all smiles, earlier storm clouds replaced by her usual sunny demeanor. “I’m gonna win all the ribbons.”

I wished I could change direction as fast as my little barrel racer and carry as much certainty through life. I felt more clueless than ever—parenting, Maverick, all of it.

“Tiffany, tell Colt the good news,” my mother prodded Tiffany.

“I’m pregnant!” Tiffany crowed with the news I’d been expecting to hear for a few weeks. “It’s still early, but now we have reason to finish that addition in a hurry.”

What limited free time I had sizzled away in the August sun.Family first, always.“Tell Jamie to let me know when he needs help.”

“We’re off to see the quilts.” Mom gestured toward the low building housing the exhibits. “I need ideas for the new baby’s blanket.”

“See you tonight, Willow. Kick butt!” Tiffany advised before following my mom. Willow and I continued our walk toward the midway with the games and rides. Most of the rides were for smaller kids, and I had a brief pang of missing a tiny and easy-to-please Willow. Back then, making her happy had been as simple as letting her ride one of the little cars around in a circle until we were out of tokens.

“Willow!” Hannah rushed up. Like Willow, she wore boot-cut jeans and a lavender western shirt. “You look amazing.”

“You too!” The friends hugged as Maverick ambled up behind Hannah, followed closely by a redheaded stranger.

“Hey, Colt. This is my friend, Adler.” Maverick made introductions. Adler was younger than us but not a kid. Likely in his early thirties. Gawky with long limbs, angular features, and a riot of curly red hair. He wore jeans so tight one might fear for his future fertility and a plaid shirt with garishly bright colors. “He’s visiting the ranch.”

“Pleased to meet you,” I lied, not liking how the guy looked at Maverick like he’d just scored the winning touchdown at the state championship. “We should find some food.”

I led the way toward the food carts, but predictably, the games along the midway distracted the girls.

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