Page 63 of Small Town Boy

“She it?” Dustin asks.

He’s so nonchalant about it you’d think he was asking about the bowl of chips. It’s the kind of question that should probably make me freeze. Panic. Only, it doesn’t.

What does happen though, is not what I expect.

My pulse kicks up, my heart squeezing. But all I feel is calm. An easy, happy warmth. I don’t have an answer to that question yet. I know what I want. I also know that it’s too soon to do anything but keep those thoughts to myself.

Unless Bronwyn blurts them out first.

I shrug. “Dunno.”

Dustin nods, accepting my answer.

“Now, to get this one to settle down,” Camden says, nodding at Nash.

“Nope.”

“You will run out of husbands to anger.”

“Ohhhh! Shots fired!” I hold up a hand for a high five, which a proud Camden gladly obliges.

“For the last time, I am not leaving a trail of angry husbands through Hickory Hills,” Nash defends.

“Then what is it that you’re hiding?” Dustin pokes at him, but Nash swats away his hand.

“It’s Noel’s turn. You gonna roll?”

I nod, laughing to myself. Someday Nash’ll come clean, I know it. All I can do until then is hope that I’m right about what he’s not telling us.

Taking my turn, I move the plastic Colonel Mustard to the study, taking a wild guess as to all the needed components. I haven’t been paying enough attention for it to be legit, and from the way the hand plays out, I’m way off. But that’s okay. I don’t care if I lose.

Because there’s another burning question at the tips of my fingers.

When can I see you again?

Bronwyn

Well, you do have a key to my house…

lol

I was thinking more you come here for a change. I could cook dinner

You cook?

I do ;)

How about tomorrow?

18

BRONWYN

“You know, part of me was thinkin’ I should teach you how to drive a stick.”

Noel glances at me over his shoulder, an impish glint in his eye. I know he’s messing with me, but my gut still churns at the thought.

“Errr, how about no.”