AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s easy. I’ll show you. I brought my two axes. I know that may sound funny but I go to a practice range in town sometimes. We can use one of the big trees out in the back of the farm.”
“Is it okay if I go, Mom?”
“Yes but be careful!” Mae says, from atop the tractor.
They grab his axes from the car and trot across the yard together.
“Don’t worry. They’ll be fine,” I say, turning back to Mae.
“How can I not worry about my butterfingered daughter throwing an axe?”
“Dylan takes after his dad, who is a wonderful teacher,” Dean confirms, without a tiny bit of humility, and I can’t help but laugh. “Hmm. I guess that does make me feel a little better.”
We stand there and stare at each other for a few moments. Mae’s skin is slightly damp with sweat, and suddenly, my mind is flooded with how beautiful she is, even covered in sweat. I shake my head to snap out of it. Not the time. Not the place. Mae might be beautiful, but I have plans, plans that would get far more complicated if anything were to happen between us.
“Well, I better get going.” Although I really don’t want to.
“Yeah, sure, and thanks. I appreciate the help,” Mae offers.
“Hey! What are neighbors for?” I should go right to the house, but I stand there and watch as she adorably puts a large, floppy, straw hat onto her head and drives off to finish the lawn.
What is it about that woman? I shake my head again and resolve to keep my eye on the prize—Cornel Condominiums.
***
It doesn’t take me long to carry the few things we’ve brought with us into the house. I spend the rest of the time generally tinkering around the place while occasionally looking out the window to check on how Dylan’s fairing with Mina, or to make sure Mae’s still okay atop the riding lawn mower. It’s purely out of neighborly concern, of course.
To her credit, although she got off to a rocky start, Mae seems to have gotten the hang of it within a short amount of time.
“Hey, Dad?” Dylan says, after coming in for a bathroom break.
“Yeah, buddy?”
“What’s for dinner?”
“Oh…” I go into the kitchen and inspect the empty fridge and cabinets. Take-out it is. But when I open the various apps on my phone, I find that nobody delivers as far out into the country as we are. “Shoot.”
“What is it?”
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it. Just go have fun with your new friend.” I wink at him.
“Dad!”
“What? She isn’t even in here.”
“Still.”
“Okay, fine. I’m sorry. But how’s it going?”
“Fine.” It’s so cute. He’s trying his hardest to be nonchalant about it.
“Just fine, huh?” I can’t help but pry. Now I know how my dad felt when he teased me about my crushes.
“Yeah. She’s nice.”
“And pretty?”
“Oh my gosh. You’re so embarrassing!” Dylan makes his way back outside and slams the door.
