Page 223 of Josephine and Clay

"I am not."

"You've been negotiating with livestock for seven minutes."

The goat sneezes.

Dr. Harris laughs. "That looked like confidence."

I narrow my eyes at the animal.

The goat immediately bolts past me.

"Traitor."

Dr. Harris laughs so hard he nearly spills coffee down his shirt.

Eventually normalcy returns.

At least externally.

Inside my head is another story entirely. Every quiet moment creates room for thoughts I don't particularly want.

Maybe yesterday was fueled by relief and adrenaline. Maybe next week he'll wake up and realize he's made a mistake. Maybe all of this feels easier because the babies have turned everything into an emergency worth solving. I’ve spent most of my life watching people make promises they meant in the moment.

That didn't stop them from leaving later.

The thought follows me through lunch.

Penny notices immediately.

She's already waiting at the Rusty Mug when I arrive, occupying an entire booth despite being one person. "Well, that's the face of a woman about to overthink herself into a crater."

I slide into the seat opposite her. "That's your greeting?"

"You've got that look again. The one where your brain's chewing on its own tail."

"I do not."

"You absolutely do."

Laura appears beside the table carrying two iced teas. "She does.”

I look between them. "Have you both been discussing my facial expressions?"

Laura sets down the drinks. "We're a small town. Privacy's more of a rumor than a rule."

"That feels invasive."

"It's meant affectionately."

Penny points her straw at me. "See? Stress face."

I sigh. "Fine."

"Thank goodness." Penny throws both hands in the air. "I've been waiting six whole minutes."

"I'll give you two privacy before she starts drawing diagrams," Laura says and walks away laughing.

Penny immediately leans forward. "Okay. Tell me."