“Great.” Graham wrapped his arms around Henry’s waist and rested his cheek on his dad’s stomach. “Can we have lunch now?”
Lunch. Oof. I hadn’t thought about feeding them. I had half a sandwich left over from the day before, but I didn’t think that would appease a five-year-old.
“I don’t want to overstay our welcome,” Henry started.
“You’re not.” I quickly ran through the contents of my pantry and refrigerator. What did kids like to eat? It had been so long since I’d spent time with one, I’d forgotten. “I might have a package of hot dogs and some buns in the freezer. Unless you want a salad?”
“Salad, yuck.” Graham turned toward me, his nose wrinkled.
“Hey, use your manners,” Henry reminded him.
Graham glanced up at his dad. “No thank you on salad.”
“What if we head into town and grab a burger somewhere?” Henry suggested. “I’ll need to take some measurements of Shirley’s leg, but it can wait until later this afternoon.”
The idea of going anywhere with Henry filled me with warm fuzzies, but I hadn’t showered since last night. Overalls and rubber boots were fine for the farm, but not for hanging out with the man I’d been crushing on for years. “I’m not sure you’ll want to be seen in public with me looking like this.”
“I think you look beautiful,” Henry said.
My cheeks warmed at the honesty in his voice. Unless I was wishfully imagining it, there was still some heat between us. I’d felt it last night but had convinced myself it was one-sided. Now I wasn’t so sure.
“Do they have milkshakes and French fries where we’re going?” Graham asked.
“They do at the Burger Box. It’s where your dad used to work after school,” I said.
“You used to make milkshakes?” Graham’s eyes widened as he stared up at Henry.
“Sure did.”
Graham shook his head. “Why’d you quit a gig like that, Dad?”
Henry shot me a grin over the top of Graham’s head. “I don’t know. Maybe I should have stayed right here in Broken Bend and never moved away.”
I sucked in a deep breath. What if he hadn’t moved away? Would he and Duke have made up? Would he have found out I’d harbored a secret crush on him all those years?
It was too late to think about what might have been. He lived in Dallas now and was responsible for a short human, while my place was outside of Broken Bend, taking care of a menagerie of broken animals.
“Let me grab my bag.” I kicked off my boots and swept into the house. There wasn’t time to change, but I ducked into the bathroom to dab on some perfume and splash some water over my cheeks. By the time I got back outside, Graham was buckled into the backseat and Henry stood by the passenger door.
“I should have invited you out for a milkshake at the Burger Box a long time ago,” he said.
“Like Duke ever would have let me go anywhere with you,” I teased.
Henry cocked his head but didn’t say anything.
His lack of response made me wonder… was my brother part of the reason nothing ever happened between Henry and me? I’d never told anyone how I felt about my brother’s best friend. If Duke had ever found out, he would have teased me even more than the regular ribbing that went on between an older brother and his younger sister.
I slid into the bucket seat of his four-door sedan. Henry gently closed the door behind me and walked around to get behind the wheel. I studied his profile as he started the car. Maybe it wasn’t too late for us.
6
HENRY
Iwas tempted to tell her everything… how I’d been in love with her since the day her brother introduced us. I could still remember what she had on that day. It was a red and white polka dot tank top that left her shoulders bare. The short denim shorts hugged her ass, and I couldn’t believe she was only fifteen. I was only eighteen months older, but two grades ahead. Duke had barely acknowledged her as we passed through the kitchen on our way out back to toss a football around. But Devyn had marked me then… left such a lasting impression on me that I’d never been able to move on.
We made small talk on the drive into town. Devyn told Graham stories about what I was like as a kid. Graham peppered her with questions about the animals. I barely got a word in, which was fine with me. Hearing the two of them chat back and forth was bittersweet.
I’d tried to be both dad and mom to my son, but he would benefit from a woman’s influence. He deserved better than me. I needed to double down on my efforts to get us out of Dallas and back to Broken Bend, where he could spend time with Lou Ellen. And maybe, if I didn’t fuck it up, we’d get to hang out with Devyn, too.