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He smiles. “Something like that.”
Yeah, I’m not buying it. Something weird is going on here.
When the food’s done, I call Grandpa and the kids inside. After everyone washes up, I load their plates with pork, potatoes, and green beans.
Dean and I argued briefly about milk vs. sour cream in the potatoes. In the end, we went with my choice, sour cream. From Dean’s wide eyes when he takes his first bite, I know I’ve won.
After eating, the kids do the dishes, playfully blowing suds at each other as they work. It’s cute. And I find myself wondering if Mina wouldn’t be happier with a sibling. Of course, I’d need a husband first before I got around to solving that problem.
As they finish, Dean announces that there’s something we need to see outside. We follow him and I’m shocked to see a bunch of young men standing outside. They’re wearing exercise clothes, and one is holding a ball.
“What is this?” I ask.
“We’re going to play a proper game of kickball. These are some of Dylan’s friends from his school.”
“Really?” I shoot Dean an exasperated look. I knew there was something up with that phone call. “Hi, boys,” I wave to them.
“Hello!” they shout back,
“Okay, Mae and I are captains!” Dean shouts out to the group, taking charge.
Grandpa goes to sit on his porch chair with a glass of lemonade in hand. He has a soft smile on his face and looks more relaxed and happier than he has in years.
Dean smirks at me, “Go ahead, Princess, pick your first player!”
***
Shocking just about everyone, my team ends up winning. Whether or not Dean rigged the game for that to happen, I’m not sure. I like to think it’s because of Mina, though. I don’t think I’ve seen her so focused and determined to win anything. It makes me think that I should enroll her on a team.
After showering, she and I sit down to enjoy a glass of lemonade around the fire pit.
“What if those goslings are like the little kitten I’m taking care of and aren’t getting enough food from their mom?” Mina asks me.
This immediately pulls at my heartstrings, and we concoct a plan to feed the geese just in case they need it. Even momma goose might appreciate some extra food. I know from first-hand experience that raising a kid yourself is harder than it is easy.
I already have birdseed to fill the feeders around the property, and after a quick Google search, I learn that it’s safe to give to geese. So, we fill two baggies and head over to give the feed to them.
“Here you go, Mama,” I say, tossing the food into the pond.
She takes it happily until we get too close, at which point she starts hissing and chasing after us. Of course, Mina and I both start screaming and try to run away, but she’s much faster than I think either of us anticipated.
We must have been loud, because it doesn’t take long before Dean and Dylan take notice as they’re packing their car for the night.
“Angry goose!” I yell, running past them.
At first, they don’t seem to see what I’m talking about, but their eyes widen when they see the angry Mamma bird flapping her wings at us. In their panic, they start running alongside, away from the goose. When I turn to see if she’s given up, I trip on my own foot, managing to take Dean down with me.
Thankfully, it seems like the momma did abandon her chase, because I’m sure she would have pounced on us in a heartbeat if she was still around.
There’s a moment’s pause as his heavy body lies on mine, clutching me in his arms.
“Um…” he says. “Sorry about that.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” I say, my entire face feeling like it’s on fire. “It was mine.”
We stare into each other’s eyes for a moment, his silver eyes growing darker and darker by the second. His body feels nice on top of me. Warm and safe. Dean leans closer to me, reaching up with one hand to run his fingers through my hair. We’re only a breath apart now. If I leaned up, I could…
Chapter eleven
