“You seem different. You look happier. What’s going on?”
Closing the lid to the cooler, I rolled my eyes at her. “If I tell you, can we please keep it between us? I’ve been holding it hostage and you know me.”
“Yes, I promise,” Judy said. “And you have to quit holding details hostage.”
“Cross your heart, hope to die, stick a needle in your eye?”
Judy frowned. “Gross, but okay.” She stuck out her pinkie and we shook on it.
“John said he wanted to marry me,” I whispered. “Can you believe it?”
Judy hopped around, clapping her hands. “Oh, my, God!” Her eyes brimmed with tears.
“Stop it. You’re acting crazy.”
Judy pointed her finger at me and grabbed an apple out of the bowl on the counter with her other hand. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little excitement, and this is huge.”
I shushed her. “Chloe can’t know anything about this.”
Judy narrowed her eyes. “Why? What did you do?”
“What did I do? Are you kidding me? I just don’t want her to get her hopes up. I still don’t know if or how I can have this relationship long distance. There are a lot of details to work out, especially back home.”
I watched Judy intently as she closed in. She pinched me in the arm as hard as she could.
“Ow,” I howled. “What did you do that for?”
“Because you’re crazy. It’s going to hurt a lot more not being with that man,” she said. “What did you tell him?”
“I didn’t say anything. There’s nothing to say yet.” I took the apple out of her hand and bit off a juicy hunk.
“What exactly did he say? I want details.”
I handed her her Granny Smith back. My cheeks puckered with the tart aftertaste. “He said, ‘I’m gonna want to marry you someday.’” I chewed. “He also told me that I’d always have a home here.” Goose bumps covered my arms. “Do you want to come to the tree with us?”
“Oh my God! You act like nothing even happened. This is epic.”
“Nothing has happened yet and it might not ever happen. Let’s not count the chickens before the eggs hatch, sister.” I took her apple again and took another bite. “But it is exciting, isn’t it?” I wiped the apple juice from my chin.
“This is great. Wait until Glad finds out.”
I shook my finger in her face as soon as her eyes flashed wildly. “And that is exactly why I want you to keep this on the down low.” I paused. “Please.”
Judy pretended to lock her pursed lips and throw away the imaginary key.
“Thank you.” Fanning myself, I took the cooler and headed outside. I peeked back at her. “You coming or not?”
“I’ll be down in a while,” she said.
“Remember, mum’s the word.”
I laid out the blanket under the shade tree. Chloe bounded across the field. Sunny stopped grazing and trotted over to meet her. Ray shook her head and meandered in the opposite direction. “Hey, girlie-girl,” I said.
“Hey, Mags!” Chloe’s crazy canter slowed to a skip.
“Mags? That’s different.” I squinted in Chloe’s direction.
“Yeah, I figured we knew each other well enough that I could call you Mags.” Chloe patted Sunny’s nose then dug out a couple sugar cubes from her jean pocket. After Sunny licked the palm of her hand, she turned toward me. “Is that okay?”
“I guess. It could be worse, but let’s not use it too much.” It felt good to stretch out in the shade.
Chloe scrunched up her face. “What do you mean?” she asked. “Cool, a Hersey Bar. Can I have some?” She licked her lips.
I nodded. “It just means that I could have worse names, you know, like mean names.” I brushed away the bumblebee buzzing near my face.
“Who would call you mean names?”
“Ah, let’s not go there.” I thought about seeing Jenny McBride in the oncologist’s office during Judy’s last appointment. Jenny appeared so sullen and gaunt. I said a prayer and focused back on Chloe.
“Okay,” she said. “How was the mountain?”
Peering down, I sought out a beer from the cooler to hide my delighted spirits about spending alone time with John. I opened the bottle and took a long draw. The cold ale slid right down, quenching my thirst. “This tastes so good.” Sighing, I took in the scenery like I took in John’s body. “It’s hot this afternoon.” I wondered if the Montana midday sun would leave its mark on my bare skin. My chest hadn’t seen the sun in a long time, thanks to my treatment last summer. I inspected my freckled arms and tanned hands. I twisted the lid off of Chloe’s orange soda then handed it to her. “There ya go.”
“Walter says that you guys have to go home soon.” She took a swig of soda then took her hat off and laid it next to her. Sunny galloped away to meet her momma on the other side of the pond.
“I guess so.” The sharp tug at my heart persisted. “We have to figure that out. Judy spoke to Walter’s dad earlier.”
“I don’t want you guys to leave.” Chloe scooted over and settled in next to me.
“Yeah, I know. But I bet I could visit again. And you’ll be back to help your dad pack,” I said, hoping we could work something out.
Chloe’s shoulders slumped forward. “Maybe, but then, you know.”
“What?” I popped a piece of cheese into my mouth then handed her one.
“People always say that they’ll visit, kind of like my mom, then it usually doesn’t happen.” She took the cheese and nibbled at the edge of the cube like a frail mouse.
My insides crumbled. I loved her so much. Scanning the field, I sipped my beer. “You once told me that you could always count on me. Do you remember that?”
Chloe’s eyes dimmed as she nodded.
“Well, I have to say that you moving here will not be the end of our friendship. I promise.”
Chloe scrunched up her nose. “Stick a needle in your eye?”
I held out my pinkie. “Yes.” Chloe wrapped her pinkie around mine and we shook on it. Her soft hand touched my cheek after we were done. I knew what she was doing because I found myself doing the same thing earlier. She was remembering me just in case things didn’t work out. Chloe touched the braided grass tied around my wrist. “Will you make me one of these?”
I set my beer down, searched the grass for three perfect strands, plucked, one, two, three, and began to braid while she held the ends.
“Did you make that one you’re wearing?”
“No,” I whispered, thinking about John’s arms wrapped around me.
“Who made it?”
“Your dad.” The taste of his skin still on my lips.
The slightest of smiles formed between her innocent lips. “He’s nice that way.” Chloe shifted her weight forward to get a better look at my grass jewelry.
“He sure is,” I said. “There, that should do it. Hold out your wrist.” I tied the grass creation on her wrist and broke off the extra length with my nails. “Perfect.”
“Thanks, Maggie.”
Chloe leaned against me and gave me a hug. My Stetson fell off the back of my head as her words brushed against my ear. “You’re right. I won’t worry about not seeing you anymore because I know I can always count on you. Even if you’re not here, you’ll always be in my heart.”
Chapter 25
“Okay, so how is this going to work?” I asked as John unrolled Chloe’s tent across the side yard between the house and the stream.
“Chloe, Walter, and Harry are going to sleep in this tent.” John assembled the poles bound together with a bungee. “Remember, you and Chloe did this at your house.”
“Yeah, but we were inside. There was a fireplace and I could sleep on the sofa after she sacked out. And you were nowhere around.”
John knelt close to the ground and yanked at the corner of the tent to get the wrinkles out. “See that tent over there?” He pointed to another small gray dome tent that was a
lready assembled. “Chloe wants you to sleep out here, too. We can sleep in that tent.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Sounds like your plan,” I said, crossing my arms in front of me. “You and me in the same tent?”
“Well, you could sleep with the kids. I hear that Walter talks in his sleep and passes gas.”
Chloe crossed the stream and sauntered over, snuggling Voodoo in her arms. “Hi, Mags, did Dad tell you that we’re sleeping outside tonight?”
Judy touched my arm. “Yeah, it’s going to be nice not having to share a room with the boys.”
Her sweet smile filled me with guilt.
“Come on, Maggie, it will be fun.” Chloe stuck out her bottom lip.
John and Judy shot me a look. John finished assembling Chloe’s tent while Judy marveled at the neoprene shelters. “Come on. The kids will love it. Do it for Chloe.”
“You are evil,” I whispered between clenched teeth and crossed my arms. Being outside all day was one thing, but sleeping in a tent was a whole other gamut. I loved my bed.
John echoed her. “Come on, do it for Chloe. I’ll make sure nothing gets you.”
“It’s not the critters I’m worried about.”
Chloe grabbed my hand. “Come on. We might never get to do this again. Please.” She tilted her head to the side, her eyes filled with something, not sure what, but it made my gut twist with obligation.
“Let me think about it.” I tapped my chin. “I need to come to this on my own terms.”
“Please,” Chloe whined. “Oh, come on, it’ll be fun. You can have snacks in your tent and stay up all night.”
I rolled my eyes as John bumped into my shoulder, knocking me off balance.
“Fine.” I blew a loose strand of hair from my face in defeat.
“Woo-hoo,” Chloe gave her dad a fist bump. “This is gonna be fun.”
“What else can we do to wear them out after dinner?” I asked Judy.
“I’m not sure, but if you think of something, let me know.” Judy draped her arm around my shoulders, and then gave me a squeeze. “You’re a good egg, Maggie. And don’t you forget it.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I said. “We’re gonna make s’mores again tonight, right? ’Cause I’m gonna need a few.”
John patted me on the back. “I think it’s about time for dinner, don’t you?”
Winston came around the corner of the house with Justin. “Looks like a party back here. Gonna do a little camping?”
Chloe scooted over and gave her grandfather a hug. “Yup. Dad and Maggie are going to sleep outside with us tonight. I can’t wait.”
Winston rubbed his chin. “I bet there won’t be much sleeping going on.”
“I hope there is,” I said.
John laughed. “That’s my girl,” he whispered in my ear as he strolled past, giving me a hearty pat on the back.
Judy’s gaze followed John’s path. “You are so not gonna sleep.”
After giving her the stink-eye, I went inside to check on dinner. John was milling around in the kitchen. He peeked out the kitchen window, and then pinned me up against the counter. “It’s just a tent.”
“A tent with you in it,” I said. “Isn’t that weird? It’s like shacking up.”
“No, it’s not, and nobody else thinks it’s weird. I’ll have my sleeping bag and you’ll have yours. No shenanigans.”
“Fine.”
“Unless you want to fool around. I’m sure we can arrange some secret meeting somewhere else.”
My eyes held his stare. “I’ll get back to you on that,” I said, trying to get a grip on the situation. John’s carefree attitude was charming nonetheless, but for me, it was serious. God, I hated being like that.
John ran his hand across my belly. “You worry too much. I’m just yanking your chain. It’ll be fine. The kids will end up coming inside anyway, then you can have a tent and I can have a tent and it’ll be fair.”
“You’re so funny.” I tried to wiggle away but couldn’t.
“You’re a squirmy little thing.”
Judy came through the kitchen and her eyes lit up when she saw John holding me. “Hey, hey, not in front of the kids.”
John laughed and kissed my cheek. “I’m just giving Maggie a hard time. Don’t mind me.”
“Pesky boys.” She leaned in my direction. “I’d think twice about that one. He’s kind of cute.”
I tried not to smile, but couldn’t help it. “You two are terrible.” Their sheepish expressions embarrassed me. “Oh brother,” I said, shooing them away, but secretly thanked them for showing me how fun life could be.
Harry strolled in from the living room. “When’s dinner? I’m hungry.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and stood by the island, picking at the fruit salad.
“In a few minutes.” Harry’s hair was smashed down on one side of his head.
“Were you sleeping?” When he yawned, I could see his molars. “Tired?”
He nodded.
“Anything new?”
He shrugged.
“Cool,” I said, remembering similar conversations with Bradley.
“Will you call me when dinner’s on?” Harry carefully took a handful of chips from the bag then left.
“Sure.” I shook my head and wondered how they roped him into sleeping in the tent with Walter and Chloe. Chloe’s vivacious personality with sketchy boundaries seemed so different than Harry who wore an invisible suit and tie with matching wing-tipped My Three Sons shoes.
Walter skipped in from outside, singing a Katy Perry tune.
“Want to help me set the table?” I asked, trying to keep a straight face.
He nodded and took the fruit salad to the table.
“You have all gone bonkers,” I said to myself.
“Whatcha mumbling about?” Chloe stepped on my toe. “Sorry.” She stepped backward and inspected my foot.
“Everyone is being silly.” I handed her the napkins. “Can you put these on the table, please?”
“Sure.” She laughed as Walter came back to the counter, singing into a fork.
I handed him the chips and sent him on his way.
Judy came in with a platter of burgers and John was on her heels like a teenage boy. Harry appeared moments later, looking just as sleepy as before. And by the time I got to the table, Winston, Trout, and Justin were all seated waiting like hungry boys, chomping at the bit to be fed. The rest of us made our way to the empty seats. Winston waited for a lull in the action before he spoke. He cleared his voice as if he were going to address the nation. Chloe and Walter hunched their shoulders forward to see him better.
“Well, I have something to say,” Winston started. “When I invited you all here, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into, but I want to thank you for being part of this ranch.” His moustache twitched, his eyes scanning the cast of characters. “And tonight, I’d like to say grace.” He looked over to Judy, who smiled, nodded, then rested her hands in her lap then gave the boys a nod.
I rested my hands in my lap while Chloe clasped her hands on the table in front of her as if she were kneeling beside her bed. I closed my eyes and listened to Winston’s words.
When Winston finished, John lifted his water glass. “Now, it’s time for a toast. To good friends, fun, laughter, and the future.”
My cheeks grew hot as his gaze met mine.
“Cheers,” Judy said, clinking Walter’s glass. “And a very fun campout tonight.” She clinked John’s glass, twice.
“Yeah, you enjoy your cushy bed in your quiet room. There’ll be paybacks,” I told her.
Holding my marshmallow over the red embers, I rotated it ever so slowly to get the perfect crusty brown exterior. I inspected my work, and then decided it needed a smidge more time over the fire. “Almost done.”
“That’s not how dad does it,” Chloe said.
“I know. He likes to light them on fire.” I cringed. “Gross.”
“I like them both
ways,” Chloe said, smiling at her dad.
“Not me,” Walter said. “I like Maggie’s way.” He patted my shoulder with a wild grin.
“I’m working on it,” Judy told him. “It’ll be done in a minute.”
Winston strummed his guitar while Judy and I made plans for the trip back to Michigan.
John listened intently while Chloe licked chocolate from her fingers. “I still can’t believe you guys didn’t fly out here.”
“I don’t mind driving and with Maggie, it’s all good.” Judy’s marshmallow fell off the skewer and burst into flames.
“I liked that rock with all the presidents’ faces,” Walter said, handing his mom another marshmallow. “That was neat. I still can’t figure out how they did that.”
“You mean Mt. Rushmore,” Harry said.
“That’s what I said. The rock with the presidents’ faces on it, geez. Why do you have to correct me all the time?”
Judy cleared her throat and made a face at the boys.
“The horse stalls could use some extra elbow grease,” John said.
Walter and Harry sat up a little straighter, and Walter pretended to button his lip.
“So we’ll leave day after tomorrow?” I asked with an ache in my chest. Judy nodded. “I’ll call Mom tomorrow and give her the itinerary so she knows when to expect us.”
Bones’ mug popped into my mind. I wondered what he was doing and if he was driving my mom crazy, or if she was driving him crazy.
“Can I play with Bones when we get there?” Walter shoved a hunk of s’more in his mouth, a glob of marshmallow stuck to his chin.
“Sure can,” I said. “He’ll be excited to see you.”
Chloe’s eyes dimmed, so I nudged her. “You’ll get to see him, too, when you and your dad head back.” I glanced over to John. “Anything new on the house?”
“As a matter of fact, I accepted an offer yesterday.” He blew out another burning marshmallow at the end of his skewer. “We’ll be heading that way soon.”
“I hate this part.” Chloe grumbled as she took half her dad’s s’more. She nibbled at the corner.
“I’m sorry, kiddo.” He wrapped his arm around Chloe and squeezed her shoulder.
“Hopefully, this will be the last time we move.”
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