Page 33 of The Other Fork in the Road

Her cheeks grew rosy. “Thanks.”

“I have a closet full of clothes that I bought too small, thinking it would inspire me to shed a few pounds, but I just love my sticky buns too much.” Daisy shook her head. “I’m going to be a full-figured gal until my last breath.”

Jim laughed. “Thank God.”

Austin pretended to barf as Daisy slapped his shoulder.

Jim handed me a plate as I looked at Madison while she pushed her food around her plate. When she looked up at me, her cheeks flushed before she quickly looked away. Wait, am I doing that to her?

Daisy cleared her throat. “Madison, I wanted to ask you if you would be my honorary bridesmaid. I called Zoey earlier, and she said yes. It means the entire, great big world to me and your daddy.”

She was a deer in the headlights as a tense smile made its appearance.

“Oh, wow. That is, are you sure?”

Daisy giggled. “Absolutely!”

“Okay, uh, yeah. Yes, of course.” Before she finished her sentence, Daisy had hopped up, grabbed Madison, and hugged her.

“Melonie Parmett from the bridal shop in town has some stunning gowns you can choose from, and Helena and Addy, the seamstresses, will alter them real quick. We can run over there in the next day or so… I’m on cloud nine!”

Madison nodded. “Super, totally excited.” The agreement fell out of her mouth though her eyes screamedI want to grab my glow-in-the-dark-Paris-threads and run for the hills.

I took her in as she ate a few more bites. The cute little wrinkle between her brows that captured my attention earlier told me her mind was flying all over the place.

I listened while Jim told stories about the daughter who had his green eyes. From Madison telling her first-grade teacher she couldn’t do math anymore because her brain was full, to the time the camper Jim rented flew off his truck when he tried to give his girls a weekend out of the city, to how Madison called forks fucks for nearly a year.

They may have been out of each other’s lives for years, but the way they could finish each other’s sentences and her laughing to tears, made it seem like the band might be getting back together. Looking at the gleam in Jim’s eye as they chatted, my heart felt light.

As the last bite of Daisy’s chocolate lava cake was devoured, Jim unbuttoned his pants for “breathing room,” and scooted back in his chair.

Austin stood. “Jax, we’d better finish the fence on field ten.”

“Boys, can you go into town after you’re done? Fern and Ed Novotny have the glass centerpieces for the wedding, and I promised I’d get them today.” Daisy clapped her hands. “Wait, it’s such a beautiful evening. Why doesn’t Madison ride along with you both? She can see the land and get some fresh air.”

Her eyes darted from Daisy to me, and then those cheeks turned that soft pink again. “Uh, maybe I should check some emails?—"

“There’s always time for that later. Go, have fun.” Daisy laughed.

“Sure, that sounds nice.” Her uncertain smile said differently. She’s probably never stepped foot in a pasture before.

A short while later, we were in Austin’s truck, Madison, enthralled with the sights on the other side of her window.

Austin laughed. “So, Madison, what do you think of us all so far? Are we a shit-show or delightful new friends?

I could hear her smile, but her gaze remained fixated on the expansive vista. “I didn’t know what to expect, but everybody’s been very welcoming.”

“Cool. I know Jim was real happy you decided to be here.” Austin glanced over at her as she looked at him.

“I’m happy, too. It’s no secret we’ve had a rough couple of years, well more of nothing for the past years.” Her voice was quiet. “It’s just weird after not being together for so long. You know?”

“Hello?” Austin laughed. “You’re talking to two foster kids here in this truck. We wrote the definition of not being with parents.”

She looked thoughtful, her eyes traveling from Austin to me. “I’m sorry you both had to live through that. It makes my situation look like a walk in the park.”

“Every situation is different. But it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.” She smiled at my words.

The truck rolled to a stop, and we all climbed out. Madison leaned against the fence, watching us tie wire to fix a fence pole while cattle grazed about.

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