Page 35 of Saltwater Cowboy

A grin spread across my face. “You look adorable.”

She gave a little spin. “Thank you.”

Blythe turned towards me. “The gas tank is full. I texted you the address. The roads all have speed limits of forty miles per hour or less, so you will be fine.”

Charlie held out a freshly brewed cup of coffee. “For you.”

I smiled at them both. “Thank you.”

Wren and I walked towards the door. “I’ll make sure she makes it there alive.” I called over my shoulder.

“Have a good time!”

We walked over to the car and got buckled in.

I leaned over the console. “Ready to go?”

“Let’s do this!” Wren high-fived me.

I adjusted the seat and mirrors and wiped my sweaty palms on my t-shirt. I pressed start on the directions and saw it said it was an hour away.

Estimated time of arrival: 8:27 A.M.

“Is it okay if I roll our windows down? It’s nice out this morning.” I asked.

Wren’s finger hovered over the button and she raised a brow questioningly.

I nodded. “Go for it.”

The thick, humid air wrapped around me, loosening the exhaustion in my limbs. Fifteen minutes passed before I finally settled in, my voice slipping into the familiar melodies of my playlist. I hadn’t expected Wren to join in—but somehow, she knew nearly every word.

The country roads stretched before us, a thin ribbon of asphalt winding through marshlands and past towering oak trees draped in Spanish moss. The salty breeze filtered through our open windows, carrying the scent of sun-warmed pine and distant sea air. The sun had just crested over the tops of the oaks, creating a golden haze that danced through the trees, flickering across the road like a silent rhythm.

“So, Wrenny, are you excited to be a big sister?”

I looked in the rearview mirror and she had a grin on her face from ear-to-ear. “Yes!”

“That’s very nice of you. I know you’re going to be a great sister.”

Wren nodded. “I hope so.”

We continued on for a little while longer before Wren spoke up again. “We’re getting close!” She cheered from the back seat, her excitement bubbling over.

I glanced down at the ETA—two minutes to go.

“I didn’t know your uncle lived on a farm.”

“Auntie Rose, he has so many goats.”

“How many?” I questioned.

“Thirteen.”

“That’s thirteen too many for me.” I joked.

“Mhm! I named them all.”

“That’s really impressive.”