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"Does she have allergies?"
I look up at her and smile, grateful that she's responsible enough to ask. Most people—cough—Nora—cough, just assume that they can eat whatever.
"Soy and mustard seeds," I tell her.
"The plan today was for mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and copper pennies."
I grin at her menu. I had no idea what copper pennies were until I moved to Lindell, and after finding out that they were just brown sugar and butter-sweetened sliced carrots, I knew I never would've been able to guess that.
"She'll devour all of that," I assure her as I look at Larkin rocking away in the chair.
The child is capable of entertaining herself easily, and it makes me wonder if that is just one more thing I can add to my running list of things that make me a less-than-stellar mother.
"I hate that I can't be here," I mutter, smiling at Larkin when she grins back at me.
"We can do this again. Next weekend is Cash and Adalynn's wedding, so it'll be a little hectic, but I don't have anything going the weekend after."
"That's fast," I say, hoping she doesn't see my words as any form of judgment.
"They should've been married a decade ago," Madison says with a grin. "I say it's several years late."
"I bet it's going to be a beautiful ceremony. Is it happening here?"
Madison's smile is wide and I can see the excitement in her eyes. "The first one I'll be hosting."
"Didn't you and Chase get married here?" I ask, my forehead wrinkling in confusion.
I wasn't invited, but I didn't feel left out. Until today, Madison and I hadn't made plans together.
"We did, but my mom organized most of that. It would've been too much of an undertaking for me as the bride, but you'll be able to see all of it next weekend, right? I figured Walker would need you here."
I dart my eyes away, wondering just how much gossip is already circulating around town about the two of us. It doesn't matter just how little has happened. I have no doubt people have seen him watching me while I work and have made assumptions other than the truth that he's making sure I'm not getting harassed by patrons in his establishment.
"I'm not dating Walker Conroy," I tell her, but it only makes her smile grow wider.
"I never assumed you were, but that quick clarification makes my senses perk."
"You said I'd be here with him," I clarify.
"Walker has been hired to man the bar at the wedding, just like he did for mine and Chase's," she explains. I feel like a complete fool, assuming just like I hate when others do the same to me.
"Oh," I say. "That's Saturday, right?"
"Yes." She chuckles.
Her laughter does nothing to ease my irritation.
Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest days at the bar, other than when Walker has some form of live entertainment during the week. Maggie prefers to work Friday night and Saturday dayshift because of her study group schedule. Having worked the last three Saturdays, I've gotten it in my mind that I'll work them all. I know the whole saying about counting my eggs before they hatch, but he hasn't mentioned me not having a shift next weekend.
"Nora will be here to pick her up at six. I apologize in advance for her opinions and rudeness," I say, changing the subject.
Walker is going to catch hell from me when I get to the bar, but I refuse to let that attitude reflect in the conversation I'm having with Madison.
"I can handle Nora," Madison assures me, but there's a level of exasperation in her tone. "I'll call you if there are any issues."
"Thanks again for having her over. I know Larkin is going to have a great time."
Accustomed to being dropped off, Larkin waves at me when I wave at her as she climbs off the rocker and takes Madison's hand.
