Page 23 of Falling Back to You

Dial

Hi. I’m good. Look, I’m sorry about last night.

Shelton

No need for apologies.

Dial

I feel like apologies aren’t enough. I should be sending you flowers for being so cool about everything.

Shelton

I had a good time, all things considered.

Dial

Really?

Shelton

I got to spend time with the venerable Dial Birch.

Wow, Shelton had me cheesing at my phone. It been a while since I’d experienced that.

Shelton

Do you wanna try again?

Dial

…

“Dial?” a gruff voice called. It was Ernest Palmer walking up to join me.

Standing, I gave Maple’s grandfather a hug. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Palmer.”

“I was just checking out our little superstar. She sure can ride.”

“She is something. I think she gets it from her dad and granddaddy.”

“Her daddy could’ve made it a career if he had a mind to.” He observed Maple circling the enclosure. “How’ve you been since your folks’ departure?”

They’d been gone for months, but people were still bringing them up. Our family was known for being close, and everyone was probably wondering how the Birch siblings were getting along without the steady presence of the heads of household. No one had gotten maimed, so I’d say we were doing okay. “Still getting used to it, but I think we’re settling in.”

“Is Cyrus helping out too now?”

“The mayor of Hume? No, he never liked getting his hands dirty.”

Ernest shook his head. “He’s a strange bird.”

“No stranger than most.” Cyrus was on my shit list, but I wasn’t interested in talking smack about him with Ernest Palmer.

“I’m hearing he’s got big ideas of turning Hume into a tourist destination.”

“Well, Hume is the hidden gem of Tennessee, after all.”

“I’d like to keep it that way.” Cyrus had a healthy share of haters who wanted to make him a one-term mayor. “Have you seen my son?”