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“Sure,” Finn said. “I like Doctor Presley better, but Bull’s good.”

“He’s not really my style,” Edith said, glancing toward the big building where she’d have to go meet with the counselor who matched his name. “He’s just a little…flippant. I like my therapists not to throw what I’ve said back in my face.”

Finn waggled his head back and forth as if considering it. “I guess I see that too.”

She nudged him with her shoulder. “You see a counselor?”

“The Army requires counseling upon discharge,” he said. “I got them to approve the ones here, so…yeah.”

She nodded, a new piece of knowledge in her pocket. “Help me put this horse away?”

“Sure.” He reached for the lead rope, and Finn actually led Reagan back to the stable. “My momma made cookies, and I’ll go help her pack them up for you while you talk to Bull.”

“Thank you, baby.” She pulled him closer and kissed him. “Thank you.”

Chapter Twenty

On the Fourth of July, Finn made the drive to Coyote Pass, the same as he had for the past four weeks. Today, Alex and Edith had said they’d be doing a holiday schedule of chores, which meant the essentials and nothing else.

So by the time he arrived, he found them both in the house, working in the kitchen while the scent of maple syrup and sausage filled the air. “I missed the chores, didn’t I?”

“It’s almost breakfast,” Alex said with a smile.

“Waffles,” Edith said, and she looked so joyful as she stood in front of the steaming double Belgian waffle maker. “These are the first ones, and they’re usually not the greatest, so I’ll make you some crispy ones after.”

“I’m down for whatever,” Finn said as he sat at the bar. It held orange juice already, along with butter and maple syrup, strawberries and whipped cream, and as he watched, Alex tipped a pan full of browned and sizzling sausages onto a plate covered with a paper towel.

“Ready,” he said.

“These are too,” Edith said. “But see, this one is a bit anemic.” She forked a waffle out of the first half of the iron and slid it onto a plate. She quickly refilled it with more batter, turned it, removed that waffle, and said, “This one’s better. I know what to do now.”

She refilled that iron and closed the lid. “Let’s pray, okay? Then these will be ready.” Her cheeks held a flush of pink, and Finn grinned at her before he took off his cowboy hat and bowed his head.

“Lord,” Alex said. “We’re sure grateful for this beautiful summer day. Bless us to remember our ancestors who fought for our liberties, and bless us to be the best citizens we can be. We’re glad to have this farm to work, and we’re right grateful for Finn and all he’s done for us this past month. Bless us to be safe this holiday, and that fireworks won’t spark a fire anywhere around. Bless the food. Amen.”

Alex wasn’t one to give long speeches, and Finn appreciated that. Reminded him of his daddy. “Amen,” he said, and he settled his cowboy hat back on his head.

The waffle maker beeped, and Edith hurried to check it. “Oh, yes,” she said. “These are nice. Alex?”

“You come eat with Finn.” Alex got to his feet and went around the counter to take over at the waffle maker. “Go on, now. I can make waffles.”

She didn’t argue with him, and she brought him a plate with a crispy, steaming Belgian waffle on it. “What are you going to do? Butter and syrup? Or strawberries and cream?”

“You know what?” Finn reached for the butter knife. “I’m going to have both.”

“Both on one waffle?”

“That’s right, Flower Pot.” Edith trilled out a laugh and that sent a thrill through Finn. “You’re not the only one who can use nicknames, right?”

She wore delight on her face as she shook her head. “No, but I like ‘darlin’ or ‘sweetheart’ better.”

“Is that right, sweetheart?” Finn nudged her with his knee. She nodded, and he said, “All right. I’ll leave the funny nicknames to you, then.”

“Flower Pot is good, though,” she said. “I think I’m going to name a horse that in one of my books.”

“So I’m doubly useful.” He indeed spread butter over his waffle, then put strawberries on it, then dolloped cream over that. He drizzled syrup over all of it, and he added his sausage to the rim of the plate too.

After breakfast, they planned to head downtown to the Independence Day Boutique, which was booth after booth from local shops, craftsmen, and restaurants.