Page 92 of Here With Me

“Well, I was in high school when we met, but that’s not when we started datin’,” Gramma Grace confirms.

Once everyone’s at the table, Momma says, “Let’s say the blessin’ first before you talk about marryin’ a man fifteen years older than you.”

I cover my mouth, surprised she slipped that little information in, and am disappointed that I have to wait for the story now. After we hold hands, I sneak a peek at Fisher across from me. Gramma comments on how big and strong he feels. I bite back a laugh when he blushes at her compliment.

Momma starts her usual prayer as I send my own.

Dear Jesus, thank you for this food, but please make this dinner less awkward before I do something stupid like blurt out I had sex with our new farrier and am possibly falling hard for him, too. If you could send a hurricane, tsunami, or meteor to end this dinner as soon as possible, that’d be appreciated.

And then I make the sign of the cross over my body at the same time as my mother says, “Amen.”

ChapterTwenty

Fisher

Keeping my eyes off Noah when she’s sitting across from me is a skill I didn’t know I’d need.

It doesn’t help that every time she brushes her shoe against mine, I’m quickly reminded of where we are when her grandmother inches closer.

After Mrs. Hollis said the prayer, Gramma Grace promised to tell the story of how she met their grandfather after dinner. Then she looked at me and winked.

Fortunately, the conversation switched to the fundraiser, turning their focus away from me.

“We have a busy week ahead of us to get prepared. It’s all hands on deck,” Garrett says, his attention pointed at the four boys.

“I like how Noah plans an event, and we all get roped into it,” Wilder scoffs.

“Oh, I’msorry. Is helpin’ rescue horses above your morality code?” Noah’s overly sweet tone has her other brothers cackling.

“That’s where ya screwed up thinkin’ Wilder has one of those at all.” Landen nudges her.

Wilder leans back, wraps his arm behind Noah, and smacks Landen on the other side of her.

Dena cuts in. “Knock it off, y’all. We have company.”

I look up from my plate as if I hadn’t noticed nor am bothered by it.

“That reminds me, one of the judges can’t make it, which means we’re down one,” Garrett says. “I was gonna email a couple on the waitlist to find a replacement. But with it bein’ last minute, I’m not sure we’ll fill it.”

“I can do it,” I blurt out after swallowing my food, and everyone’s head snaps toward me. Quickly, I clear my throat. “I was hopin’ to help in some way.”

Noah’s eyes flick from mine to her father’s.

“You wanna judge?” Garrett asks.

I nod. “Yeah, sure.”

“I love that idea!” Dena gushes. “You should bring your rig, too. I bet the kids would love to see how you work on hooves or mold shoes.”

“That’d be pretty cool,” Tripp adds. “You know how to judge?”

I grin. “I’ve been to enough rodeos in my lifetime. I think I can manage.”

“That’d be really nice of you,” Noah says, flashing me a secret smile. “I’ll add your name to the brochure.”

“I’m sure Jase will like that too,” Dena says. “He’s workin’ the booth for his real estate agent’s office.”

“Yeah, he mentioned that to me this mornin’.”