Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
She nods but quickly gets distracted when the band rounds the corner onto Main Street. Beckett stands at my side like always, but my sister says, “I brought you a shirt as well. Figured you could get by in your city jeans, but you need a proper western shirt to go with that hat and boots.” She hands me the shirt that had been draped over her arm.
When I examine it, nothing is familiar about it, though I like it. “This isn’t from my closet.”
“I took it from Tagger’s. You guys look about the same size.” Glancing back, she says, “If you’re quick, you can be back here before the final float turns the corner.” I can’t tell if she knows something more than she’s saying, mainly that Lauralee and I are . . . what are we? Sleeping together, in a relationship, or? I’m not sure, but when I look at her face, I think my sister is warning me, so I don’t miss this.
“Thanks. I’ll go change.”
I go back to the apartment and change into my pearl-button short-sleeved western shirt and boots. Topping my head with my summer cowboy hat, I’m back before I’m even missed. “You should get some candy, Beck.”
He looks at my sister, who is quick to say, “Go on. Have some fun. We’ll be right here.”
When he takes off running, another kid launches from a nearby lawn chair, calling his name. They slap their hands together in a high five, then scramble for candy on the sides of the vehicles together.
I say, “What do you think about him coming out to visit me this summer?”
She looks a little surprised, but then she smiles. “He’d love more time with you, and I know he sometimes misses New York. He talks about the pizza.” She shakes her head in laughter. “He really misses the pizza.”
Daisy has wrangled both of us to hold her hand, but I know she can’t see a damn thing down there. I lift her onto my shoulders so she can view the parade fully.
Christine says, “I’ll talk to Tagger, but I think it would be good for him. His mom has been coming to Austin or San Antonio when she flies in from Paris. So he’s not been in the past few years.”
“Just a few days,” I say, “but I think it would be fun to have that one-on-one time with him.”
She points in the distance. “Look, Daisy, it’s Leelee.”
My attention is caught the moment I see her on that giant pink-and-white float. Her hair is down around her shoulders under a sparkling tiara. Wearing an emerald-green fitted gown that almost outsparkles the tiara, she’s fucking stunning.
Daisy claps her hands together and squeals, “Princess Leelee.”
“Yeah, she looks just like a princess,” Christine says.
“She didn’t tell me she was in the parade,” I mention as the float gets closer.
“A parade couldn’t be put on one year.” She looks up at me, and whispers, “The town had no money for it. So they’re a year behind. The new Peach Queen is crowned by the ten-year anniversary queen. That’s Lauralee this year.”
It’s the moment her eyes find mine in the crowd, the smile that blooms before my very eyes that has my heart thumping in my chest. I wave to her like the others, and when she winks, I know it’s for me. She waves with both hands to Daisy, who bounces in excitement. “Leelee,” she shouts.
Christine steps around the front of me after they pass. Reaching up for Daisy, I lift her and pass her daughter into her arms. “She looked beautiful. Don’t you think, Baylor?”
She always does, but I’m not sure what to say that won’t put her on the scent of something more going on. So I reply, “Yeah. Sure. Beck said you’ll be at the rodeo at one?”
“I want to catch the barrel racing.” My sister was the best when she participated. “Do you want to meet us there?”
“I’ll be there.”
Standing on her tiptoes, she says, “As soon as I find Beckett, we’re going back to the ranch. We came out for the parade, but we’ll need naps before tackling the activities this afternoon. Dad and Tag are wrapping up duties with a few of the ranch hands before everyone takes the rest of the day off. I also need to make sure they’re drinking enough water today. It’s a hot one.”
“Sure is. Hey, thanks for bringing the hat and gear.”
“Anytime.” She laughs. “Can’t have you looking like a city slicker now, can we?”
“Come here,” I say, wrapping her and her growing belly, and Daisy up in my arms to hug them both at once. I kiss both their heads and hold them. Not for long because it’s too hot out here for that, but long enough for her to wrap her free arm around me, too. “I love you, Pris.”