Page 73 of Stick Around,
Reid adjusted the enormous hat. “What do you think? Too subtle?”
“It’s giving urban cowboy who’s never seen an actual horse.” Quinn reached up to straighten it on his head, her fingers brushing his hair.
Something warm and unfamiliar settled in me as I watched them. Not jealousy, which would have been my default reaction before she came into our lives, but something gentler. A quiet contentment, like watching the sunset paint the sky.
I smiled at their easy affection, the same way I smiled when I spotted our misfit family of five goats huddled together under a tree during a light rain. The realization struck me that I wasn’t just tolerating this change, but I was embracing it.
Kellan bumped my shoulder. “You’re staring.”
I blinked and looked away. “No, I’m not.”
“Your face got all soft.” Kellan grinned. “It’s cute.”
I scoffed, but didn’t deny it. What was the point?
After we had thoroughly wandered the exhibition hall, we made our way to the livestock area, passing the prize-winning cattle and sheep. Quinn moved slowly, taking in everything and asking questions.
When we reached the petting zoo area, she froze, her gaze locked on a miniature horse no bigger than a large dog.
“It’s like Thunderbolt came to life.” Her voice was hushed with wonder. “Why don’t you guys have one of these?”
I snorted. “Debra would never allow it.”
Quinn put her hands on her hips. “Did you ever think that Debra might be lonely? Maybe we should pick a donkey out while we’re here.”
We.
She didn’t seem to notice she’d said “we,” but the rest of us did. Reid’s eyebrows lifted, while Kellan’s face broke into a slow smile. Our eyes met in silent acknowledgment as she continued to coo at the miniature horse.
Something shifted between us, a wordless understanding that was simultaneously momentous and inevitable. It reminded me of the moment when a skittish horse finally accepts the saddle; the subtle surrender that changes everything. I tucked the realization away carefully, like the bracelet in my pocket, not wanting to examine it too closely yet.
Kellan raised his phone. “Stand next to it; I’ll take a picture for our social media pages.”
She positioned herself beside the miniature horse, trying to look casual while posing. She clearly wasn’t used to posing for photos, and I watched her adjust her stance three different times, each pose more unnatural than the last, before finally settling on what looked like a prom photo with the tiny horse.
“Relax.” I moved behind Kellan. “You’re not getting your driver’s license photo taken.”
Quinn stuck her tongue out at me, and Kellan captured the moment. He showed her the screen, and she laughed at herself.
“I feel so awkward knowing that the picture is going to go up on social media and tons of people will potentially see it.”
Kellan looked concerned. “I don’t have to post it.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s going to take time to get used to,” she said.
After the animal barns, hunger drove us toward the food stands. The smells of fried dough and grilled meat filled the air.
“I’m getting one of everything.” Kellan rubbed his hands together gleefully.
Reid wrinkled his nose. “And then puking on the Tilt-a-Whirl?”
“Worth it.”
“There will be no puking.” I cringed. “What do you want, Quinn?”
She bit her lip, scanning the options. “Funnel cake. To start.”
“To start?” I raised an eyebrow.
