Page 112 of Nine Month Contract
I probably miss that the most.
“Do you think Trista will let the little ones ride Handsome?” Everly asks, jerking me out of my thoughts. “I texted her, but she hasn’t replied yet.”
“No pony rides, Ev,” I growl and turn on my heel to storm into the house to get ready. I need to hurry up so I have time to go down to the barn and warn Trista of today’s spectacle. It sounds like half of Boulder and most of Jamestown are on their way up to Fletcher Mountain, and I know that’s not what she expected. Maybe I can help her escape up onto the mountain on Handsome’s back. She can ride off into the sunset with his tongue flopping the whole way. It’d be a hell of a lot more fun than what this shit show is turning out to be.
When I emerge twenty minutes later, my jaw drops at the number of people spread out over my lawn and more cars driving up the lane. Kids are running wild, and Max’s friends don’t seem to be watching any of them. Cozy’s friend Dakota shoots daggers at Calder. Luke flirts with the guitarist up on the deck, and Max, Cozy, and my mom fuss over a pile of presents that have already started collecting on a gift table.
This is my fucking nightmare.
I spot Trista standing by the cake table, dressed in a yellow summer dress and looking like a dream as she holds a cup of what looks like some kind of punch. Everly chats her ear off about God knows what, and she looks wildly uncomfortable.
This is not a good start.
I make my way over, and Trista’s head turns as she senses my approach. Her eyes drink me in, giving me a look I haven’t seen fromher in a while. A look that says,I’ve seen you naked and want to see you naked again.
Maybe my long game will be a short game after all.
“I’m sorry about the crowd,” I rush out and reach out to take Trista’s hand but stop myself, determined to give her the space she requested. “Are you okay with all of this?”
She shrugs casually, her coppery-green eyes glittering in the setting sun. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“This is a lot more people than I gave permission for. I should have warned you. Are you up for this? Are you feeling okay?”
“I had a nice big breakfast, so I’m feeling great,” she says and shoots me a tiny wink that I feel right in my gut.
I move to stand closer to her, but my pain-in-the-ass niece steps between us. “Trista, can I show you to your special chair?” Everly asks eagerly, causing me to frown at the back of her head.
“Special chair?” Trista shoots me a dubious look, and I shrug, feeling just as clueless as she is when Everly drags her away from me. I can’t help but follow because I have no idea what the fuck is happening.
I spot Calder standing next to the large oak tree in front of my home. Mason jars hang from the low-slung branches, and he leans on something covered beneath one of my mother’s quilts. As we approach, he pulls it off to reveal a stunning cedar chair.
“It’s a thank-you for the cat.” He grips the back of his neck and points back at his cabin. “I really appreciate all your help with her.”
“This is for me?” Trista asks, pointing at the chair. “Like…to keep?”
“Of course it’s for you.” Everly laughs.
“Here, try it out,” Calder says, guiding Trista by the crook of her arm into the seat like she’s forty weeks pregnant and breakable. My chest contracts at the sight of it because I know how much work he puts into his custom furniture, so for him to gift her something like this means he put in some serious time on it this past week.
“I tried to make the chair nice and tall because I read that pregnant chicks don’t like to sit too low to the ground.”
“I’m not really a fan of it when I’m not pregnant either,” Trista murmurs and sits down, her face nodding with approval. “Shouldn’tthis be for your brother, though? It’s his shower. He should have the special chair.”
“We’ll get to him,” my mom says from behind me, and I swerve around to see her, Max, Luke, and Cozy all standing there with gifts in their arms. “But we wanted to do a little something just for you, too, before the party started.”
Panic descends over me as they set the presents down one by one next to a shocked-looking Trista. This was not a part of my plan. This is the exact opposite of my plan.
“You guys, if this is baby stuff, I really don’t want to open it.” Trista’s chin trembles, and I open my mouth to agree with her but am cut off by my sister-in-law.
“Just open the gifts, Trista,” Cozy urges with a laugh and grabs a gift bag off the ground. “Start with mine.”
Trista nervously pulls out a bunch of tissue paper to reveal a plethora of facial care stuff, including cleansers, creams, some fancy jade roller thing for her face, and some masks.
“Oh my God, this is amazing.” Trista smiles brightly up at Cozy. “And a T-shirt?” Trista holds up a tee that says, “Animals Always Put Me in a Better Mood.”
“My friend Dakota owns a custom tee shop. I saw that and had to get it for you. Maybe the three of us can do a girls’ night sometime soon and use those face masks.”
“Oh, that sounds like so much fun,” Trista says sincerely.
