Page 70 of Always Meant for You
Mabel’s my partner for the next eight weeks.
Applause builds around me.
I thought it would be bad enough keeping her busy at the farm. But I could’ve assigned reports, errands, anything to keep her occupied on her own.
Now I’m working beside her.
“I’ve got one little question, Margaret. I may have misheard you,” Mabel says, her voice tighter than usual.
Margaret beams. “What is it, honey?”
“Who exactly will I be working with? I figured this was a solo job, but I could’ve sworn you saidCal and Iwill make great strides.”
“Of course I said you and Cal,” Margaret croons. “He’s leading the co-op. It only makes sense you’d work hand in hand with him. Right, Betty?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Sally leans in, smiling ear to ear. “Capricorn and Gemini. You’ll either change the world or drive each other into early graves.”
Mabel looks at me. She parts her lips, but nothing comes. I don’t move either. I can’t. I honestly don’t know how we’re going to survive eight weeks of this. And by the look on her face, neither does she.
Joel Martinez pulls a form from the cabinet and passes Mabel a pen. “Sign this, Mabel. It’s a formality so we can get you paid.”
She swallows hard, shoulders straightening. “Sure. Happy to.”
Joel turns to me, beaming. “It’s great having someone so knowledgeable working with us, huh, Cal?”
“We’ll see how it goes,” I mumble.
“Cal, you should take Mabel for a drive,” Margaret says, still scribbling on her notepad.
“A drive?” I blink.
“There’s no need,” Mabel cuts in. “It’s late.”
“Very late.” I nod once, then again, both of us clinging to the same out.
“Nonsense. There’s a full moon and enough light,” Elias says, joining us.
Mabel turns toward him, brows lifting. “Are you sure, Dad?”
She’s trying to read him. So am I.
Elias doesn’t flinch. “A drive gives Cal a chance to check the fences. Coyotes have been sighted near the east boundary. You’ll help, won’t you, Mabel Ruth? Two pairs of eyes are better than one.”
I keep still, but inside, the thought of that moonlit drive stirs everything I’ve spent years trying to shove down.
Mabel hesitates. “But who’s taking you home?”
“Don’t worry about me,” Elias says. “I need the truck anyway. And there’s no room for you.”
Mabel frowns. “Why not?”
“I offered Claudine a ride. She’s had car trouble.”
We both turn, and sure enough, Claudine steps closer, her dress still blooming with stitched kittens and paw prints. “Elias was kind enough to offer.”
“You did?” Mabel and I say at the same time.
