Page 14 of That Rush

“At day camp the next morning.”

He shrugs. “Then the system worked.”

I slip my phone away. The posts need reinforcing and the cattle should be moved. It’s an afternoon’s work, but my day has a hard stop. Josie’s day ends at three thirty, which means mine does too.

“I can move the south group before I go, but someone else will have to handle the posts.”

Axel looks at me. “You know Dad won’t care that you’re leaving.”

“I know.”

The ranch always gives us another job. Another fence, another animal, another problem that feels urgent until I decide it isn’t. Josie’s day camp ends at three thirty whether the cattle cooperate or not.

Dad’s truck rolls toward us from the east field. He parks on the other side of the gate, climbs out, and surveys the fence.

“Temporary fix?” he asks.

“It’ll hold. The posts need to be reset.”

“I’ll take care of it after lunch.”

“I can get started.”

Dad shakes his head. “You have pickup.”

Axel leans against the post. “He knows. His phone started warning him before noon.”

“It’s called planning.”

“It’s called an anxiety disorder with calendar access.”

Dad laughs as he opens the gate. “Go move the cattle. I’ll get the equipment.”

The work shifts, and for once, I let it.

Axel walks back toward his truck with me. “Are you still stopping at Pike’s Perk?”

“I need food before pickup.”

“Tell Sadie I’ll be there after I shower. She wants me to look at something for the summer market.”

“I’ll tell her.”

“And Rowan should be working.”

I stop beside my door. “Okay.”

He leans against his truck, a slow grin spreading. “Just making sure you’re prepared.”

“For coffee?”

“For Rowan.”

I hold his gaze until he laughs and climbs into his truck.

Rowan and I flirted once. We never made plans, and neither of us tried to change that. Hearing her name now makes me wonder if everyone else has decided we left something unfinished.

I head toward Pike’s Perk. Time to make it clear that book is closed.