Chapter Two #2
“Is that more of your sourdough stuff?” He steps up next to me, hands on his hips, and looks over everything. “Damn, I think this is the most amount of stuff I’ve seen up here. Did you even leave room for Grandma’s flower arrangements?” Andrew laughs.
“Ha.” I roll my eyes. “Of course I did.” I point to the three shelves he added to the stand last week. “I always leave the room. Is your mom bringing more eggs? I noticed they did really well last week.”
“Yeah, she was organizing them in the cartons to look like rainbows or something when I stopped by last night.” He chuckles. “I’m proud of you.” He glances between me and the farm stand. “It’s doing well and people are talking about it.”
Andrew Miles only compliments me when he wants something. His way of buttering me up. I side eye him. “What do you want?”
“Have I told you how much you’re my favorite cousin?” He hooks his arm around my neck and grins a little too big.
I shake my head. “I’m your only cousin.”
“I’m inviting the team over tomorrow for dinner. Nothing fancy, just a little bonding over burgers and card games before the season gets busy. We’ve got a few new players this year. I was hoping you would make those buns you made before. And, you’re invited too.”
“Of course.” I’m sure the team has mixed feelings about all the changes the Bobcats seem to be doing every season. Always new players and getting rid of older ones. I wasn’t privy to all of the moving pieces. It’s not my business.
“You’re the best!” He backs away. “I’ve got to go and see a man about some sheep before practice later.”
“Sheep?”
He laughs as he climbs into his truck. “Some idea Grandpa has. You know how it goes.” He closes the door, then rolls down the window. “Will you make cookies or something too? Okay, thanks. Bye!” He quickly pulls away.
I can’t help but roll my eyes. So much for my plan to rest. Not that baking is exhausting.
I’ve always loved to bake and experiment with baking.
Sourdough requires patience, though, something I’ve learned that I lack.
It’s one reason I wanted to focus on it.
I used to stress about it more, but I’ve learned it’s also forgiving.
Now with less time to prepare, I need to structure out the rest of my day today and tomorrow.
He didn’t even tell me what time. I’ll text him later to confirm. I wish he would’ve asked me earlier. Andrew tends to do that, throw things together last minute. Not that the end result ever looks like it.
This isn’t the first time he’s invited the team over. He’s one of the alternate captains, and takes his role very seriously. Andrew is all for team bonding. It makes sense since they’re about to be away from each other for the next few weeks.
It’s been a change up every year, from what I can tell.
Players coming and going. I’ve only noticed since Andrew joined, and it’s something he talks about at times.
It makes me wonder who will be joining this season and who left the team from last season.
I don’t follow the team too closely, but a lot of the guys have become like family with the amount some of them spend out on the ranch at times.
While I pay attention to the game of hockey, I’ve never cared for the politics behind it. The Lonestar Bobcats is running under new ownership and have been making lots of moves over the last few years.
I don’t mind bringing things to the team dinner, it gets me out of the house. With a new season starting, I imagine most of the team will show up. I have a few of my favorites, and I hope those guys don’t get traded. They feel like family too.
Being a Miles means when family asks something of you and you’re able, you do it. Any of us would drop what we’re doing to help the other. That’s how we were raised.
It’s part of why I am still here in Sage Creek.
Family is important and I don’t know what I would do without mine.
They were the rock I leaned on, even when I didn’t realize.
I’d happily be a source of strength for any of them.
It was ingrained in us. I believe family suppers instilled in us the importance of family, beyond just the time spent together.
Attendance on Sundays was mandatory, unless you were sick—then you would end up with a plate brought to you.
My cousins, Andrew and Delilah, were the only two to miss some.
Delilah, more than her older brother. Andrew for hockey games that took place on Sunday or when they were out of town for games and traveling.
Delilah missed more in a row, typically when it was tornado season.
How she could find a thrill in chasing storms I would never understand.
Sometimes there were extra people at family supper. Friends and neighbors would visit. Occasionally, extra ranch hands would come over. That was when it turned into a huge backyard dinner around the campfire.
I genuinely enjoy it—every bit. Being surrounded by my favorite people, enjoying good food, and making memories. I love it because there is always someone around. When I stayed busy or surrounded by family, I could pretend I wasn’t as lonely as I felt.
The fact that I have nobody to share my life with. I fear what comes next. If I didn’t leave for college, after everything that happened, nothing and no one would get me to leave this place. It was my home.