Chapter Four
DAISY
My body feels exhausted and restless, which mean I probably look how I feel.
Like shit. It’s to be expected since I stayed up late waiting for the buns to rise before I could stick them in the fridge for a few hours.
What little sleep I did manage was constantly interrupted thinking I overslept my alarm.
I over proofed the first batch of buns, which resulted in an even later night.
Thankfully, the next batch went better. After baking and setting aside the buns, scones, and cookies to cool, I set an alarm.
It wouldn’t be as long as I’d hoped. A three-hour nap to power me through until this evening.
I didn’t want to sleep too long and not be able to fall asleep at a decent time tonight, even if I could sleep all day tomorrow.
After a quick shower and some homemade cold brew, I almost feel like a new person. And although it’s technically fall, it doesn’t feel like it here in Texas. We had a fake fall last week, it was beautiful. Now, it’s ninety degrees again. Thankfully, the sun will be setting soon.
I settle on a knee length sundress, its blue and green swirls reminding me of the spring I long for.
Spring is my favorite season and I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to live somewhere that actually had seasons.
I don’t know if I would like to live where it snows. Visiting the snow would be nice though.
I braid my red wavy hair to the side before applying a little mascara and lipgloss. There’s not point in going all out, and it’s not something I care to do anyways. I like the minimal look. But, I at least want to make myself look not as tired as I feel.
As soon as I’m downstairs, my eyes catch my mom. Her thick brown hair is up in a clip. Her eyes scan over the cooling racks spread out on the kitchen counter.
“These look great, sweetie. Is this why you were up all night?” She smiles.
I nod. “Yeah, I messed up the first batch. They just weren’t good enough.”
“You mean weren’t good enough for anyone else to try?” She shakes her head. “I made myself a sandwich with them for lunch and they were fine.”
“Fine… is only good enough for us to eat.” I argue before walking across the hardwood floor and slipping on my sandals.
Over-proofed buns are not something I’d let someone else eat. At least, not someone who doesn’t live in this house. I didn’t want to be wasteful, and they were more than edible.
“I agree that perfection is the goal when you’re selling. Daisy, these are just for Andrew and the boys. You know they won’t care.”
“Yes, but those same boys often share pictures when they’re together and if they tag me again, I need it to all be perfect.”
She doesn’t understand. My mom has social media, but it’s all for sharing funny memes and videos, or keeping up with people she went to school with. It’s all personal, not business.
The farm stand is my baby. It already has a following thanks to Andrew and his behind-the-scenes footage of building it earlier in the year.
Although, a couple of his teammates got involved, and they started making the videos look more like thirst traps.
I’m sure the head of the Lonestar Bobcats marketing was groaning at the content they were creating at the time. At least it was team bonding.
Now, it’s all up to me. Even if there are still comments coming up asking when the guys will help again. I shake my head with a laugh. I can picture it now, them helping out in my tiny kitchen. It could be fun.
Mom rolls her oversized suitcase to the door and turns with a smile spread across her face. “I’d ask if you want company over there, but I don’t want to miss my flight.”
“Have fun. I can’t believe you’re leaving me for a month.” It’s the longest we’ve been a part. Ever.
She walks over and pulls me in for a hug. “Three weeks. I’m really excited, but nervous. I still can’t believe the girls talked me into this.”
This will be good for both of us—I hope. At least for mom. I’m glad her old college friends convinced her to go on this trip across Europe with them. A girl’s trip would be good for her. She’s always wanted to go. Dad had planned on taking her—until.
I shake my head and hug her back. “You’re going to have so much fun. I got you a gift.” I walk over and grab the little bag.
She peaks inside. “A journal?”
“Yes!” I nod. “Plus a portable printer with photo paper you connect to your phone. It’s fully charged and ready for you. I can’t wait for you to tell me all about your trip when you get back.”
“Is this because I mentioned the junk journaling thing the other day?” I nod. “This is the sweetest, Daisy.” She hugs me once more before a honk sounds outside. “That’s my ride.” She pulls back and smiles. “Get into trouble while I’m gone.”
“Huh?”
“Sometimes the scariest parts lead to the most exciting.” She hesitates by the door.
“Are you telling me or yourself that?” I chuckle.
Mom laughs as she opens the door and grabs her suitcase handle. “I think both. Do something different or fun while I’m away that doesn’t involve this kitchen. I love you, baby girl.”
“I love you too.” I follow her out onto the porch and wait until her ride pulls away before heading back to the kitchen.
I move the buns to a basket, carefully wrapping them with an oversize green tea towel.
Then grab the container of sweets and carry it all to the golf cart.
The golf carts had been Aunt Maggie’s idea, and a great one!
I think we had every color of the rainbow on property just to make it easier to know whose was whose when they were all parked together for gatherings.
I carefully secure the baskets then head back towards Andrew’s house. There are already a few vehicles when I pull up and under the carport next to his black golf cart. I know I don’t need to park under anything. It’s not like we’re expecting rain, although we desperately need it.
The laughter coming from inside the house brings a smile to my face as I made my way across the porch and inside.
“Daisy!“ The few players already here immediately greet me with hugs and pass me around. At some point, someone also takes the baskets from my hands. It doesn’t take them long to dig into the sweets. All I can do is shake my head with a laugh. “Really, y’all can’t even wait until after dinner?“
“Heck, no,” Jude says between bites, then moans. “If your cousin wouldn’t kill me, I’d drop on one knee right now.”
“No proposals necessary.” I chuckle. “I love baking for y’all.”
Jude Becker brushes his long dark hair back, flexing his arm muscles while he does it and then gives me a wink.
I can only shake my head and laugh. He’s a flirt, but harmless.
I think the flirting is a natural instinct for him.
I’ve seen the man wink at his own reflection in the toaster one morning at Andrew’s.
He’s a flirt, but harmless. Jude plays defense and is the team captain.
He’s been on the team for six years, while my cousin has only been on it for three. I never really went to any of the bobcat’s games before my cousin was on the team. Now, it’s a family event.
Sure, I’ve been to plenty of hockey games growing up. They were mostly high school games. The whole family attended nearly all of Andrew’s games. For as long as I could remember, they all put in an effort to attend anything my cousins or I were involved in growing up.
“You love baking for anyone and we will gladly enjoy any of your creations.” Andrew walks up and takes the basket of buns from Connor. “These are for the burgers.”
Connor was already eating one of the buns, and shrugs. “Still good,” he mutters. Connor Kole plays forward and joined the team last year. He’s always around, but tends to fall into the background of the group. I assume he’s the strong, silent type.
I would question how these guys managed to eat the way they did and look as fit as they did, but I’m pretty sure they only ate this way around me.
I would guess they only splurged with my baked goods and that left me feeling proud.
No doubt, the rest of the team was as dedicated to their fitness and nutrition regime as my cousin.
“Thanks, Daisy.” Andrew takes the buns to the kitchen, and I follow. “I hope you’re staying for dinner; you know there will be plenty.”
“I was already planning on it.” I walk to his fridge to grab a bottle of water. “Have you started the burgers? Can I help with anything?”
“I’m about to. If you really want to, there’s some lettuce and tomato, you can cut up. I’m also perfectly capable of doing that myself.”
“What do you have to go with the burgers?” I take a sip of water, then move around the kitchen to grab a cutting board and knife.
“There’s a veggie tray in the fridge and then an assortment of chips and dips.
I kept it simple.” He grabs his foil covered tray.
“I’m going to get these burgers on. Connor, come and help me with the grill!
” He shouts to the next room, then looks at me.
“I just don’t want him eating more of those buns before the burgers are even done. ”
I laugh as I watch the two of them go out the door to the back porch.
My mind wanders as I go about chopping the lettuce and slicing up the tomatoes.
Busy work in the kitchen is my favorite.
I think back to the first time I hung out with the team.
It was after Andrew threatened to castrate any of them that flirted or messed with me, it went well.
“Daisy?” the voice behind me whispers.
I spin on my heels right before the familiarity of the voice clicks in my brain.
Then, it’s too late. A chill creeps down my spine, unlocking memories I want to keep buried.
The voice is deeper than I remember, rougher even.
I freeze mid inhale and choke on air. A large hand slaps gently at my back, then rubs it.
“You alright?”
Fuck no. I was not alright. Was I even breathing correctly? I cough to clear my throat, then move towards my bottle of water, farther away from him. I think I gulp half of the bottle down to avoid looking at him. Was he seriously here?
“What are you doing here?” I turn back around.
“Team dinner.” He steps closer. “I didn’t know you would be here.”
“Team?” No.
I refuse to believe what he’s telling me. There’s no way in hell. Andrew would’ve told me. My heart feels lodged in my throat as I hold my breath. We’re family and this isn’t the kind of secret you keep from family. Not something this huge—life altering.
I swallow back my nerves. “Excuse me, I’m going to see if there was anything else Andrew needed before I leave.”
He grabs one of my arms as I move to walk past him. “You didn’t know?”
My eyes narrow on his hand, gripping my arm. He takes too long to release it. Once he does, I take my time looking him over. I can’t handle this right now. It feels like I’m just now doing something with my life.
He’s just as tall as I remember, towering over me. But gone is the skinny boy I knew in high school. He’s filled out. His muscles strain against his dark shirt. The tattoos covering his arms look even more detailed up close. Not that I look at pictures of him online.
Not that I think of him.
At all.
It’s not as if he enters my mind at the most annoying moments.
No, Ethan Miller couldn’t be here because he was supposed to be following his dreams. He was on a team up north, not here. He wasn’t supposed to come back. Not after I broke his heart. I know I did, because I ripped mine out of my chest that same day.