Chapter 18 #2
He sighs. “No. And again, I’m sorry for making it sound like a big deal when it wasn’t. It’s not like I had some sort of claim to him first or anything like that. It was never like that. But I swear to God, if I’m not appointed twice-over best man at your wedding, there will be hell to pay.”
My lips quirk. “I don’t think you need to worry about that for another couple months.”
His head whips my way, his shocked expression falling when he sees my smile. “You sound so serious when you say shit like that. Months. God, my heart.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll be appointed godfather, too.”
This time, August does trip. He catches himself on the ground and rolls to his ass, squeaking out “Babies?” before grabbing a handful of muddy snow and chucking it at me. “No. Just…no. Stop laughing, you dick.”
I can’t stop, clutching my knees as the wheezing laughter rolls through me. Tears leak from my eyes, and it feels so damn good. “No babies,” I finally manage, holding out a hand to help August to his feet. “At least, I very much doubt it.”
He eyes me skeptically as he dusts off his pants. “Remi likes animals more than babies.”
“Yeah,” I breathe out, the word sounding like a sigh. “I do, too.” Lips twitching, I add, “We’re having chicks.”
“Oh, I heard. I’ve already secured naming rights for one of the fluffy little buggers.”
My eyebrow rises. “Do you ever actually visit the petting farm?”
“Look, just because the two of you enjoy romping around in the hay, that doesn’t mean everyone suffers from that particular affliction. I’m fine providing my support from afar.”
I snort another laugh that has August looking happy with himself.
As he walks on, talking about the last time Remi hatched Silkies, I spot a wide patch of dangling yellow flowers poking above the fresh spring grass.
I step that way, pinching one long stem off at the base.
Following after my brother, I unzip my backpack and store the flower inside.
When we get home, it’s nearly dinnertime. After showering, I prepare us a simple meatless spaghetti dinner with garlic bread. Our mom joins us for the meal, her and August chatting about people in town and gossip I’m not usually privy to. I’m content to listen. I’m…content. Simple as that.
It’s close to nine when I head over to the ranch. I park in the big lot near the main house, scant moonlight providing some visibility but not much. The land feels quiet, as if everybody, animal and human, is settling down for the night. But there’s illumination coming from the petting-farm barn.
Not everyone is asleep.
My boots stick to muddy land as I walk that way, the squish loud in the otherwise silence. I knock before opening the unlocked barn door, but there’s no immediate answer. Stepping inside, I spot a head of golden-brown hair moving about in the brooding pen.
“Remi?” I call.
There’s no indication he heard me, so I reach over to flick a secondary light on and off. That has his head popping up, an immediate smile jumping onto his face. He waves through the chicken wire before stepping to the open pen door. ‘I didn’t expect to see you.’
‘Is it okay that I’m here?’ I ask, heading his way.
He nods, that smile never leaving his face. ‘Want to meet them?’
I assume he means the eggs. I nod my fist in a yes.
Carefully situated in a small tub below the heat lamps are a dozen Silkie eggs. They’re light tan in color, about the same size as what you’d buy at the market to eat. I crouch down beside Remi as he sits on the wood shavings.
Hands in the air, he explains, ‘There’s a chance not all of them will survive.’
‘We have enough room if they do?’ I check.
His smile is warm. ‘Plenty.’
Letting out a sigh, I settle down beside him. After only a moment of hesitation, I recline further and rest my head on Remi’s lap. ‘Just need a minute,’ I tell him, hoping it’s easy enough for him to understand upside-down.
His hand running through my hair has my eyes wanting to slip shut. ‘Tired?’
I nod my fist. ‘Long day. Good day.’
He hums. ‘You should be in bed.’
‘Soon.’
I do let my eyes slip shut as Remi’s fingers continue sifting through my hair. It’s warm beside the heat lamps, the light low with only one of the overheads on. The animals are rustling around, not all asleep, but no one is shouting for food at this time of night.
Remembering the glacier lily in my shirt pocket, I tug it free, hoping it’s not too crumpled. I’m pleased to find it in good shape. It’s a little wilted now that it’s free from the earth, but it hasn’t lost its yellow color yet.
Remi’s mouth is parted when I pass it his way over my head. ‘Where?’ he asks before taking the flower.
‘Hike,’ I explain as succinctly as possible.
Remi’s hand slides down to my chest. He bends low, lips pressing lightly to mine in an upside-down kiss. “Ben,” he mutters before he’s upright again. He slips the flower behind his ear, and my heart stutters.
The delicate yellow petals are resting beside his cheek, light blue eyes the personification of spring. The flower looks at home there. Remi should be bathed in them. Every color. Every shade.
His hand on my chest shifts back up into my hair, fingers dancing lightly against my scalp. I swear I hear the words, “Don’t fall asleep, Ben,” but they sound far away.
Even so, I shake my head, flashing five fingers to assure him I just need a handful of minutes. There’s a chuckle. Warmth like the sun making everything mellow.
And then…peace.