Page 84 of Skye's Fall
“I like watching you,” I pull her in for a hug.
“You’re a weirdo,” she kisses me and takes my hand as we walk out to the truck.
I don’t start it right away, just taking in the fact that we’re here.
“People are waiting, family is waiting,” she reminds me.
“I know.” I love that everyone has stayed close. And we’ve added to the family. Weekends are the best, spending times with those we love. Catching up on what each other is doing, even though some live in town.
When we pull up she jumps out ready to help. I just take in the scenery.
“Linc, Memphis needs help setting up the tables,” Skye kisses my cheek.
“Alright. Just put the oats in the feed tray,” I reply.
“Take Stella with you.”
My little girl comes running over to me and jumps in my arms.
“Daddy, I want to help Uncle Memphis.”
I can’t say no to my little girl, it’s why Skye is laughing as we walk away.
It’s been seven years of bliss. Seven years of learning how to be a good father. Speaking of fathers, mine is sweeping Stella up in his arms and she’s squealing with joy.
He has helped me grow my cattle business. It’s not just mine, Brick’s too. We’re partners. It’s worked well. Ariel and Skye are the best of friends, all the women are. And Stella loves having all these people she can call aunts and uncles. Memphis is the fun one since he’s a big kid himself.
I love seeing the world through my child’s eyes. It makes you think. Skye is a little emotional since Stella starts first grade. Skye cried almost every day for a month when she went to kindergarten. I had to bribe her to calm down with ice cream and sex. Best bribe ever. I mean, it worked out for me at least.
Once my dad was home and settled, Angie started trying to call again. And I haven’t told Skye, nor will Brick, but Lily and Kelsey have tried to come around every year since the show. I finally had the sheriff arrest them for trespassing last year and haven’t seen them since. I slapped Angie with a lawsuit, just so she knew I wasn’t kidding around. She’s backed off as of late. I haven’t told Skye about it because I don’t want to worry her. Or piss her off. She can get quite feisty when she’s upset. Sometimes I just laugh, which is the wrong answer if you’re married. And when you get all of the girls together, us guys cannot do anything right. But I’m happy. I wouldn’t miss any of this for the world.
“You done reminiscing?” Memphis slaps my shoulder.
“Ouch,” I rub it and grin.
“You’ve been staring off into space.”
“You not getting any at home?” I tease.
“He gets plenty,” Ever throws over her shoulder.
“Can you just move this table over there and stop discussing my sex life?” Memphis groans. I humor him and do as asked. According to Skye, Memphis and Ever are relationship goals and I have to agree with her. Not that our marriage is bad, but those two just make it look effortless.
We move all the tables so people can set up their food or crafts. The Friday town get-together is something we all look forward to. I started bringing the horses down and giving kids rides. Memphis bought a bouncy house. Brick found some old carnival games. The mayor found a few rides that we fixed up. And now it’s grown since then.Chicken Fried Lovehas made this town grow and some of the wealthier residents brought in even bigger and better rides and games but still keeping it low key and simple. Just like this life is— simple and nice.
Ever sets down a pot and I know it’s my dumplings.
“They’re not yours,” she chides me. Still have a bad habit of thinking out loud.
“Save me some,” I kiss her cheek and run before Memphis can get to me, laughing all the way back to my girl.
“One day he’s going to knock you out,” she snorts as I roll over the fence and land in the small pen Brick set up.
“He can try. I will always out run him,” I say as I start to help put kids on a few of the horses. That’s a lie, Memphis could definitely catch me, but I’d like to think I would get a good head start if it ever came to that.
Brick and Ariel take over so we can grab some food. Ever is waiting with a plate of dumplings for me.
“I knew they were for me,” I tease as I take the plate from her.
