Page 10 of Feels Like Falling
ASPEN: Stop being so sensitive
ASPEN: Listen—I have to go to work but I’m going to need updates
VIENNA: Definitely updates. I’m friends with Ellison on social media—she’s still super pretty big brother…
MONTANA: I’m gonna say goodbye now
VIENNA: You’re no fun
MONTANA: Literally no one would agree with you
ASPEN: So you’re saying we get the serious, boring side of you?
MONTANA: Aren’t you supposed to be working?
VIENNA: (gif of woman cackling)
ASPEN: (kiss face emoji)
Tossingmy phone on the table, I’m relieved when the screen stays dark. No doubt, they’re having a side conversation about me right now, but that’s not something I can worry about.
Closing my eyes, I let my head fall back, thankful for the small reprieve of the quiet house.
“Oh, Lord. Montana, have you seen Hal?” Celeste says on a huff as she comes bustling into the kitchen, our silver Labrador, Hermie, hot on her heels, his nails clicking on the hardwood. I open my eyes slowly, my gaze finding the paneling on the ceiling as I swallow the sigh that wants to escape.
It’s been a day.
“I just got in the house,” I say as she studies me a beat longer, absentmindedly stroking Hermie’s head while his entire body wags and not just his tail. The three-legged brute is still very much a puppy and barely notices his missing limb. We’d taken him in from the shelter in Clementine Creek, Vetted Paws, after they’d rescued him from a hoarding situation.
Hermie had taken to Celeste immediately, and she never missed an opportunity to fuss over him.
“I swear, that man,” she mumbles under her breath. “I turn my back for two seconds and he…”
Her words die off as the sound of a pickup truck grows louder coming up the driveway. Dirt and rocks kick up behind it, and I roll my eyes as I realize I’ll have to tell Mason to slow down. I swear it wasn’t too long ago that Grandad was hollering at me for the same damn thing. Scrubbing my hand over my stubble-covered jaw, I try and remember when I got to be so old.
Mason hops out of the driver’s side and hustles over to where Grandad is already closing his door and waving Mason off. I can practically hear the grumbling from my grandfather that he doesn’t need help as he saunters toward the house.
He’s not even halfway up the porch steps before Celeste is throwing open the door, hands on her hips and a scowl that has Mason’s eyes going wide.
“Where have you been?” she snaps, and Grandad’s lips turn up at the corners.
“Can’t an old man go for a walk on a beautiful afternoon?” he asks as his head tilts to one side in question.
“He can,” Celeste draws the last word out but no one dares to speak, “ifhe tells people where he’s going so he doesn’t die of heat stroke out there.”
“Woman, I have been farmin’ these fields for?—”
“Don’t youwomanme. Now get inside and take a seat,” she demands before smoothing her hands down the front of her apron. “There’s a drink and a snack on the table.”
Mason’s lips part, his eyes wide with wonder as he watches Grandad walk to where Celeste is still standing. He places a quick kiss on her cheek before whistling his way toward the kitchen.
She sighs before turning her attention to Mason. “Come on, there’s a plate in there for you too.”
Mason scuffs his worn boot against the dirt, looking even younger than he actually is. “Oh, I couldn’t?—”
“Inside,” she says again, shooing him with her hands this time. He barks out a laugh and hustles through the doorway. I follow because this falls underif you can’t beat ’em join ’emand I don’t need Mason getting roped into anymore of Grandad’s shenanigans.
Celeste closes the door behind us, and I’m almost to the table when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Wrestling it from the denim pocket of my jeans, my smile is immediate as the message lights up the screen.
