Page 19 of Tumbleweed Temptation
“Eh, Poppy and Sofia did most of it. They’re better at it than I am.”
“Yeah, well, I remember what a hard worker you used to be. I don’t think that changed in twelve years.”
Ginny dipped her head and changed the subject. “Kind of surprised at the engagement. I didn't think he’d stick around. Not much excitement here after traveling the world.”
“Well, maybe so. Maybe that’s why he wants to. And then, you know, true love.”
“Do you believe in true love?”
“My parents had it. So yeah, I believe. Some.”
“Do you think your mom would have remarried eventually?”
“Maybe. Maybe she would have found someone if I went away to school. She never even thought about it while I was home.”
“I can’t decide if that’s romantic or sad.”
Her words startled him. He hadn’t thought of it one way or another, but now, if he did, he’d think it romantic, because she’d only loved his dad.
But maybe it was sad, too, because she’d spent the prime of her life mourning, and had died with no one but him to love her.
What would it have been like to have a father figure who stood by his side as he mourned his mother, someone else who would defend her against the accusations of wrongdoing? An adult, not another kid like him that no one would listen to?
He might not have left this town such a bitter person.
Something else his mom had missed out on—finding love again.
He wanted to pull away into his thoughts, but Ginny nudged him into the line to get his meal.
She didn't sit with him, though. She sat with Poppy and the others, and Austin found himself with an option of sitting next to Con or Mrs. Conover.
He went with Con, swung his leg over the bench seat and sat down with his full plate. He and Con had been friends in school, more because they’d grown up together than because they had anything in common. But then the accident had happened, and a chasm had opened between them.
Con nodded at him. “How’s business?”
“Pretty brisk, I’d say. How’s the ranch?” Austin figured he was probably one of the only teens in town who hadn’t worked at the ranch when he was in school. His mom had worked two jobs so he didn't have to work any, so he could concentrate on school.
“Pretty good. We’ve had some pretty good years.”
Austin wanted to say he was surprised to see Con still here, but really, he didn't want to get into a discussion with the guy. Con’s dad held his daughter’s death against Austin’s mom, and Con hadn’t stood up to him when it counted. Maybe Austin shouldn’t hold that against him, but he did.
He was glad that Javi was there to carry the conversation. Austin only half-listened to the talk of the baseball playoffs.
Austin hadn’t noticed that Lacey had left the table until Poppy put her hand on his shoulder.
“Hey, Lacey needs to see you a minute.”
Austin looked down the table to where Lacey had been the last time he saw her, but Poppy was gesturing him toward the building.
He rose and followed her, hesitating outside the bathroom.
“That’s okay, it’s just Lacey in there,” Poppy said, giving his back a gentle shove. “She thinks her water broke.”
“Wow. Okay. Ah.”
He pushed through the door to see Lacey standing in an open stall, holding onto the door with one hand and the wall with another. She raised eyes filled with panic to him. A jolt of fear went through him. This was his friend. He needed to be there for her.
“Okay, tell me what’s going on.”
