Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
The School
Mildred perched in the passenger seat of the truck while we waited in the parking lot for the end of Lenni’s first day of school in Huckleberry Hill.
It wasn’t ideal that she was starting a new school near the end of the first semester, but hopefully with the long Thanksgiving weekend coming up and then winter break in a few weeks, it would ease her transition.
“So, how’re the new digs?” Dad asked, his voice clear and robust through the truck’s Bluetooth speaker.
“Pretty good,” I said with a laugh.
“You never did tell us why you quit your job,” Mom said.
“My boss was a jerk,” I said. “And this new family is wonderful.”
“Who is it?” Dad asked. “Your texts were vague.”
“Poet’s fiancé’s brother,” I explained. “He has an eleven-year-old daughter he didn’t know about until a few days ago. I’m waiting to pick her up from school, actually.”
“No kidding,” Dad murmured.
“Seems like good fortune that you were in town already,” Mom said. “I’m so glad Hadley and the baby are okay.”
“Me too,” I said. “That was a scare and a half.”
“And how’s everyone else?” Dad asked.
“Good. Busy. I’ve only been here a few days, but I’ve hardly seen my friends. I kinda hoped . . .”
“That it would be just like when the four of you were sharing the apartment in Manhattan?” Mom finished for me.
“Exactly. But Idaho style.” I sighed. “It was naive, I guess. They really do have their own lives. Building houses, growing babies, opening bookstores.”
Mom squealed. “You promise to take a video and send it to us? That’s so exciting for Poet.”
“Yeah, it is. And yes, I’ll send you some pics and videos when she finally opens the store. What are you guys doing for Thanksgiving?”
“The usual.”
“Ah, the band of travelers stopping off at your place?”
“You know it,” Dad said. “We’re making two turkeys this year. We’ve got a big crowd showing up.”
I smiled even though they couldn’t see me. My parents were collectors of people. They made friends wherever they went. Through the years, they road tripped and saw crevices of the United States most people had never even heard of.
“What are you doing for the holiday?” Mom asked.
“Not sure yet,” I admitted. “No one’s mentioned anything about it, but I imagine Muddy’s going to make a big to-do of it at The Ridge.”
“Remember that first year in the city, you and the girls attempted to make dinner, and the turkey was still raw?” Dad asked with a laugh. “It was a good thing we drove down with our bird.”
“That was fun. I miss you guys.”
“We miss you too,” Mom said. “But we’re so proud of you, Wyn.”
My throat thickened. “Proud of me? What for?”
“You left home,” Dad said. “You moved to Manhattan. You figured things out.”
“I’m still figuring things out,” I murmured.
The final school bell rang.
“Listen, school just let out. Lenni will be here any second.”
“Lenni? What kind of name is Lenni for a girl?” Dad asked.
“It’s short for Lenora,” I informed him. “And you of all people want to ask that question? You named me—”
“Lenora is a beautiful name!” Mom said. “So elegant. But Lenni is an adorable nickname. The next time we video chat, can we meet her? I’d like to put a face to the name.”
“I’ll ask her,” I said.
“Is she shy with strangers?” Mom asked.
The school doors opened, and Lenni popped out, her yellow backpack slung across one shoulder. She was talking to a classmate.
“I don’t think so, but a few days ago her guardian literally just showed up with her and dropped her off with a father she’d never met. That’s a lot for anyone, but especially for a kid who lost her mother only six months ago.”
“Oh, the poor thing,” Mom crooned.
“No pity,” I warned. “Especially if you want to meet her.”
“You’re right.” Mom sniffed.
“Okay, honey, your mom’s about to cry, so we’ll say goodbye. Love you. Talk soon.”
“Love you back,” I said. “She’ll be okay, Mom, I promise. I’ve got this.”
“I know you do,” Mom said. “You’re perfect.”
My own throat was suddenly full of emotion. “Okay, bye for real this time.”
I pressed the End Call button just as Lenni tromped into the parking lot. Mildred perked up immediately when she saw Lenni at the passenger side window.
I leaned over and pulled Mildred back so Lenni could get in.
“Hi ya,” I greeted.
“Hey,” she said, tossing her backpack onto the floor of the passenger seat before climbing in.
“So, tell me all the things,” I began.
Lenni shut the door and I let Mildred go. She immediately climbed over the center console and crawled into Lenni’s lap.
“It was fine. Good,” she corrected. “My teacher, Ms. Thomas, is nice. And pretty.”
“Nice is good,” I said.
“Archer met her this morning when he filled out all the paperwork,” Lenni said as she stroked Mildred’s back. “He made her laugh. She’s really pretty when she laughs.”
A spear of jealousy went right through my ribcage.
“Well, good,” I gritted out. “What else happened? I saw you talking to another girl. Did you make a new friend?”
“Summer Harding,” Lenni said. “She sits next to me in history class.”
She bowed her head and closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against Mildred’s neck.
“Lenni?” I prodded. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she muttered.
I waited.
And eventually she took a deep breath and said, “We have to make a family tree and present it to the class.”
I exhaled a slow breath. “We can talk to your teacher. I’m sure once she knows the circumstances, she won’t make you do it.”
“And then all the other kids will wonder why the new kid who showed up right before winter break doesn’t have to do the project,” she said. “I’ll be a piranha.”
I blinked. “Piranha?”
“Yeah, you know. An outcast?”
“I think you mean a pariah.”
I struggled not to smile, but I couldn’t help it. I began to giggle.
“You’re laughing at me,” she accused, her brown eyes throwing axes.
“No, I’m really not,” I explained. “I just—I’m used to nannying a five-year-old boy. Now I get to hang out with you, and you’re so much more fun. And cooler.”
She paused. “You mean that?”
“Yeah, I do.” I nodded. “And for what it’s worth, I think you’re brave to face the family tree project.”
“Don’t really have much of a choice, do I?”
“We all have choices,” I said.
“Will you help me with the project?”
“Sure,” I said. “But you know who can help you even more?”
“Archer,” she announced.
“Yeah. When is the project due?”
“The week after Thanksgiving break,” she explained.
I finally put the truck in gear. “You know what we need?”
“What?”
“Cheese curds and ice cream from Hawthorne’s to celebrate your first day of school.”
She nibbled on her lip. “We should get something for Archer, too. And bring it to him at the ranch.”
I held in my sigh. “That’s very thoughtful.”
She buckled herself in. “Okay, I’m ready.”
I walked into the main house with Mildred tucked under my arm like a football. I set her down and she ran into the kitchen.
“Well, hello there you little monster,” Muddy greeted the pup with a laugh. “Where’s your mama?”
“Here,” I announced with a grin as I came fully into the room.
“I had a feeling I’d be seeing you,” she said as I went to her and gave her a hug. “Where’s Lenni? I want to hear about her first day of school.”
“We stopped at Hawthorne’s,” I said. “She’s bringing Archer a snack.”
Muddy raised her brows. “Is she now?”
“Her idea,” I said with a wide grin.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, that’s good.” She looked down at Mildred, who was up on her hind legs, begging shamelessly. “I see you. You want a blueberry?”
Mildred whined.
Muddy nodded and went to the fridge. “Jo Calhoun brought me some frozen blueberries earlier. I’m going to make jam.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” She dropped a few frozen berries onto the floor in front of Mildred who began chomping them up. “So, you and Garrett?”
“Me and Garrett?” I asked in shock. “How did you—oh no, is there gossip going around?”
“Absolutely,” she said with a nod and then got back to her project. There were dried leaves splayed out in front of her, and she began placing them in a mason jar.
“You were at the Copper Mule, sugar. People saw him pick you up and twirl you around.”
“We were just saying hello,” I insisted.
She raised her brows.
“Okay, fine, it looked a little friendly, but it doesn’t mean anything. Garrett’s a flirt. I’m a flirt. It’s our language.”
“Really?” she stated like she didn’t believe me.
“Did you talk to Poet or something?”
She frowned. “Why would I talk to Poet about you and Garrett?”
“Because you’re basically repeating everything she already said to me.”
“Huh. Maybe that means something . . .”
I held in a sigh of frustration. “Garrett and I met when I was in town for Hadley and Salem’s baby shower and we talked then. We chatted the other night. It won’t go anywhere—furthermore, I don’t want it to go anywhere. We’re just friends.”
“Ah, because of the penis embargo?”
My eyes widened. “How did you—”
She waved her hand. “Oh please. You don’t think the girls keep me informed?”
I groaned. “This is embarrassing.”
“Why? Nothing wrong with wanting hearts involved before things get physical,” she remarked. “And Garrett’s heart is otherwise engaged.”
“Really? With whom?”
“Never you mind.” She looked at me with sparkling hazel eyes. “How did Archer feel about you and Garrett flirting?”
“This conversation is over.”
She smirked. “If you say so.”
“I do say so. I’m an adult. I’m allowed to flirt with whoever I want, and I’m also allowed to keep things private.”
“Let me give you some unsolicited advice, sugar. If you want to completely shut down a conversation, you don’t explain your decisions.”
“Yeah, I kind of lost some clout there, didn’t I?” I asked with a rueful smile.
Muddy closed the mason jar and set it down onto the counter in front of me. “This is for you. Well, all three of you.”
“What is it?” I asked. “We already have loose-leaf chamomile. And the green tea you got at the store.”
“This is a special concoction. It’s good for stress.” She cleared her throat. “So, tell me about Lenni’s first day.”
“She has a pretty teacher,” I blurted out.
“Olivia Thomas, right?”
“Yes, how did you—”
“I’m Muddy,” we both said at the same time.