Chapter 12 – Ainsleigh
twelve
AINSLEIGH
My mind was reeling while I taped the last envelope to the mailbox. I set out to make this a game with Gentry so I wouldn’t be near him all day. After last night, when he’d broken down in front of me over seeing my tattoo, and the way my heart felt, I just couldn’t risk being near him today.
I cursed my father in my mind for putting us in this predicament.
It was like my whole family knew something that I didn’t, and I hated it.
Being away from them for so long hurt more than I’d ever say out loud. Especially to any of my brothers—because I’d never live it down if they knew they were right.
I also couldn’t get what Loretta whispered in my ear out of my head. Seeing you two together just warms my heart and makes all feel right in the world again. I laughed at her, but hearing it caused many mixed emotions. Hence why I put the distance between us.
We met back on the porch at the same time much to my dismay. I’d rather have had a few more moments of solitude to put my thoughts in order, but that didn’t happen.
I held the checklist in my hand of the children attending. We gave out name badges at the beginning of everyone’s stay so our guests didn’t feel the need to keep reintroducing themselves.
Once I counted the kids and checked off everyone’s names, I cleared my throat so we could begin.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m Ainsleigh, and this is Gentry. We’re going to be your guides for today’s scavenger hunt. We’ve got an epic prize for everyone at the end. Who’s ready to have some fun?”
The kids all cheered and jumped for joy to indicate their readiness to proceed. I noticed one little boy in the background who had his hands on his ears as his mom rocked him back and forth.
Leaning over to Gentry, I told him to keep an eye on the little boy and that he didn’t appear to like loud noises. He nodded as I proceeded to tell the kids the ground rules.
“We’re going to make the scavenger hunt a little interesting. We are going to pair off into teams to see who can win first. How does that sound?”
The kids seemed to love that idea because they screamed a little louder this time.
I paired us up as easily as possible. The first eight names versus the last eight names.
I glanced over at Gentry as he knelt to his group to give them all high fives.
The little boy who had covered his ears moments earlier—whose name was Aiden—was in his group, and I hoped that Gentry remembered to keep an eye on him as this was when we separated the kids from their parents so they could have some fun while we kept the kids busy.
I high fived the kids in my group as we walked to the other side of the porch to begin.
“Alrighty, kids. We’ve got to be a little quiet since the other team is right over there. The first question is as follows. We’re starting outdoors for our scavenger hunt fun. Find the flower that resembles the sun for clue number one.”
All the kiddos looked around trying to find what I could be referring to when one little girl squealed and pointed to the sunflower wreath that hung on the door to the clubhouse.
I pulled off the envelope just as Gentry’s crew headed this way and whispered the next question.
“I can be coiled like a snake or stretched out very far. I can help cool you off on a warm summer’s day or help wash a car.”
“It’s a water hose,” one little boy screamed, and we set off to find the next destination with Gentry’s team hot on our heels. Seeing the kids’ excitement kept my mind off the man who was mere feet behind me.
For the next hour, we ran all over the ranch from destinations such as the mailbox, the chicken coop, the lawn mower, the bird feeder, and now I held the final clue in my hands. I read the card aloud, hoping the children got it right away.
“I have four legs, but no heels. Our family gathers here to share a meal.”
“It’s a table,” a few of the kids squealed. Thank goodness they got it right quickly because Gentry was kneeling with his group reading the card.
We raced toward the finish line to the table inside the clubhouse with Gentry’s team hot on our heels.
The laughter from all the kids echoed in the air as we raced up the porch to see if the kids were correct on what their destination was.
Inside they found gift bags lined up on the table, labeled with each child’s name. My group cheered and ran over to the table, and their excitement filled the room just as the group of kids from Gentry’s team came inside.
The smell of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers filled the air, causing my stomach to rumble.
I was running on empty after chasing around the kids all morning.
This scavenger hunt took a little less time than we anticipated, but our kitchen staff were bringing out lunch for the kids just as they sat down.
I risked a glance behind me and saw Gentry walking up to the table, carrying Aiden whose head was hidden in the nape of Gentry’s neck. Gentry rubbed his hand up and down the little boy’s back as he carried him over to where his mother stood on the other side of the room.
Tears filled my eyes at the sight of him comforting the little boy.
His lips moved as he said something to the Aiden, causing his head to lift off Gentry’s shoulder as he scanned the room.
Aiden’s eyes landed on his mom, and he squirmed in Gentry’s arms to get down.
As soon as Aiden’s feet hit the floor, he ran over to his mom and jumped in her arms.
My ovaries felt like they would explode at the sight of Gentry soothing the little boy until he could be back in his mother’s arms. He couldn’t be any older than five or six, and the realization of his age caused my heart to cease beating for a few moments, an ache so profound filling me at the thought of how old she’d be today.
I had to get out of here fast, but I knew I couldn’t leave until all the parents had come to collect the children. I took a few calming breaths to tamp down my emotions.
I shifted my thoughts to this afternoon when Dylan and Aspen would arrive.
Focusing on their arrival would allow me to push my grief-stricken thoughts to the back of my mind where they’d hopefully stay.
I couldn’t allow myself the time to breakdown.
Not in front of everyone here. And especially not in front of Gentry.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
I felt him approach before I saw him. The hairs on my arms rose just as the smell of Gentry’s cologne hit me. Every time I smelled it, I felt like I was at home. It was hard to explain, but that smell alone brought me peace even if it was coming from the man I needed to steer clear of.
A crinkled up twenty-dollar bill in between Gentry’s fingers moved in my line of sight, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“Looks like you won.”
“Don’t be a sore loser like my brothers. Me and the kids won fair and square,” I taunted without bringing my gaze to meet his. I didn’t want to risk a chance of him seeing the emotion hidden in my eyes and having to explain. If he asked, that was.
“I’m not. Just stating a fact. Looks like all the kids are with their parents now, so our job here is done.”
“Yeah. I need to see if Aspen and Dylan are on time to arrive this afternoon,” I said as I pulled my phone from my pocket and checked to see if they’d updated me recently.
I needed to text my brothers to see if there were any parties tonight I could take Aspen and Dylan to, if they were up for it after traveling.
Just as I was about to pull up a text thread to send the message, I felt a hand push something in my pocket. I jerked around to see a sly grin on Gentry’s face as he held his hands up in the air.
“I was just putting the twenty in your pocket,” he said, that smirk still marring his features.
“Well, next time, just hand it to me.” I wouldn’t dare admit how my insides clenched at the feel of his hands on me. Nope. Not ever would he know he still affected me that way.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m going to radio your father to see what else he has on my agenda for the day since we finished early. I’d suggest you do the same. See ya around, butterfly.”
That nickname was going to be the bane of my existence. I hated the memories that one measly word evoked. I hated that he could still get a rise out of me after all these years. But most of all, I hated that I couldn’t wait until the next time the word butterfly left his lips.
Instead of radioing my father, I left the clubhouse and headed toward his office. I needed to speak with him about making sure I didn’t have to work this closely with Gentry during the rest of my stay here. I couldn’t be this close with him daily and keep my heart intact.