July 4, 2018
I run my brush over Phoenix’s back and rump, seeing the dirt and dust swirl in the air. He stands still, allowing me to groom him as Kristy ties Dexter up in front of us. I peek at Kristy from the corner of my eye, watching her skeptically as she then begins to brush her horse.
We work in silence, neither speaking, and even moving around with cautious actions. She has hardly spoken to me since last night. I wonder what’s going through her mind. How did her date go?
I go to ask but she quickly walks to the tack room and walks back out with Dexter’s saddle and bridle. I place a kiss to Phoenix’s muzzle and lead him back to his stall. I quickly pull Serendipity out and silently apologize for not grooming her before tacking her up. By the time I have her bridle on, Kristy is riding out of the barn, and once she reaches the gravel, she’s galloping away.
Deciding I don’t have time for the saddle, I use a plank of wood on a stall door to help boost me up and situate myself on Serendipity’s bare back.
I squeeze my legs together and urge her forward. We quickly gallop after Kristy, following the trail of uprooted foliage and swirls of dust.
Riding bareback has been a challenge I’ve been working on the last few months. It has proven to be difficult, but in this moment of desperation, I seem to be rather skillful.
Serendipity sidles up beside Dexter and I yell at Kristy over the roaring wind to slow down. She glances at me for a brief moment before falling into a walk. I do the same and let out a deep sigh.
“What’s going on?” I ask her.
“I could ask the same question. What exactly did I walk in on last night, Adelaide?” Kristy halts Dexter and turns to face me directly. Her eyebrow is raised in question and I run a hand down my face in exasperation. This is about Maddox and me? Not about her date with Scott. Well then, there’s still a chance the date went well.
“Kristy, you know I have always had feelings for him.”
“Yes, I know,” she mutters, bowing her head. I watch as she runs her fingers through Dexter’s mane.
“What’s the matter then? I thought you supported us…supported me.”
“I do support you, Adelaide.” Kristy lets out a heavy sigh and shakes her head. “I’m not angry with you. I’m angry with myself. With Scott and with everything that happened yesterday.”
Oh no. The date did go bad! What did that man do to her? I swear, if he disrespected her, he’s going to wish he never knew either of us.
“What happened? What did Scott do?”
“He did everything right, Adelaide. I’m the one who screwed up! I’m the one who pushed him away. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. He’s a great guy and I truly like him, but I still refused him.”
I pull my eyebrows together in confusion. Now, why would she do something like that? Why would she push away someone she likes? That doesn’t make any sense.
“Um…why would you do that?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m scared. I guess I’m scared that with falling in love comes the risk of heartbreak. And I saw what that did to you and Maddox…I never want to feel that way.” I frown, shaking my head.
To think that Kristy is looking toward my experiences…I’m the one who has only been in the real world for a year. I have been looking to her since day one. On how to act and how not to act. On how to think and how not to think. And here she is, taking what happened between Maddox and I to heart.
“Kristy…losing Maddox was the most painful thing I’ve ever endured. You’re right about that. Heartbreak sucks. But loving him…there are no words to describe it. But loving him does outweigh the pain of losing him. Don’t be afraid to love because there’s a chance of pain…just as we should not be afraid to take risks because of the fear of a poor outcome.”
Kristy hangs her head, looking up at the clear blue sky. We stand still for a few moments before she turns Dexter and clicks her tongue. She slowly walks back toward the house and I turn Serendipity to follow after her. Once I’m by her side, Kristy reaches over and grabs my hand.
“I’m so grateful for the day that Ma invited you into our home. I gained a sister that day.” I smile softly and nod in agreement.
Kristy may be my cousin by blood, but she is my sister by heart. My best friend.
“When we get home, you’re calling Scott and we’re going on a double date. You’re going to fall in love with this man, Kristy Crane.”
“When exactly did I agree to this, Addy-Mae?” Maddox whispers in my ear as we walk into the bowling alley behind Kristy.
I look over at Maddox, rolling my eyes at the nickname that lets loose thousands of butterflies within my stomach. Maddox had asked what my middle name was a few days ago, considering I knew what his was. And ever since, he has been calling me Addy-Mae.
He claims it is the most beautiful name he has ever uttered and I simply couldn’t disagree, when it’s coming from his lips. Plus, he always says it with a smile and who could deny him?
“Shush,” I say, grabbing his hand and interlocking our fingers as we follow Kristy. When we get to the booth to purchase our lane and shoes, Maddox uses our intertwined hands to jerk me away and tuck me behind him. He then deftly pulls out his wallet and pays before I can even attempt to reach into my purse.
I giggle at my gentleman and hug him from behind for a quick moment. I become self-conscious with my public display of affection and release my hold.
Even though I have stepped out of my shell within the last year, there are still limits. Besides, I doubt people want to see me hug my boyfriend.
Huh…I will never get over the fact that Maddox Steele is my boyfriend.
Maddox turns and wraps an arm around my shoulder as we search for Kristy and Scott. They are already picking out bowling-balls and I can tell Kristy is nervous to introduce Scott to the man who is practically her brother. I have a slight feeling that Maddox is going to lay it thick for this poor guy.
“Let’s see if I can get him to squirm.” I tug on Maddox’s arm when he steps toward the new couple. He looks over at me with tight eyebrows, silently wondering if I’m okay.
“Maddox, go easy on him. Kristy is a nervous wreck.”
“That is my baby sister, Adelaide.” Ooh, he said ‘Adelaide.’ He means business. I furrow my brows. “I’m not going to interrogate him much. I just need to be sure he’s good enough for her.”
I laugh. “You got off easy then. No one to interrogate you on my behalf.” When Maddox doesn’t say anything, I cross my arms and lean away from him to read his expression. But he just stares at me, as if waiting for something. “Adam?” Maddox shakes his head. “Missy?” Another shake. I look over at Kristy, but before I could ask, Maddox grabs my wrist and pulls me to his chest.
“Jeremy called me a few days ago. And he practically threatened our brotherhood if I hurt you again, Adelaide.”
My heart races. Jeremy did what? Surely, Maddox is just pulling a fast one on me. There is no way that Jeremy would do such a thing.
He has never been anything other than standoffish toward me. I could have sworn he didn’t like me. But Maddox is claiming Jeremy would cut ties with him for my sake? When did Jeremy form such a protectiveness over me? And why?
“W-what?” I whisper.
“Your reaction to me leaving shook him to the core. He hated seeing you hurting. Claims it’s one of the reasons he moved.” Maddox leads me to our lane and we sit at the table. I turn the chair to face him as he runs a hand through his hair. “Adelaide, everyone is naturally drawn to you. It is nearly impossible for someone with a sane mind to not care for you. So yes, Jeremy is the one who spoke on your behalf.” Maddox reaches over to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear.
I bite my bottom lip to keep tears from gathering. Hearing this touches my heart. To know that Jeremy actually does care for me means more than I can express. I always wanted to have the relationship I have with Kristy, with him. And it seems I’m a step closer.
“Maddox…” Kristy says softly. I look up to see her standing beside the table with Scott beside her.
Scott has a small smile on his lips, trying to cover his nerves as he looks at the beast of a man sitting beside me. I try to keep from laughing, for he fears a teddy bear in disguise.
Scott is a charming man. He has light brown hair with dazzling green eyes. He’s a few inches taller than Kristy and he has a smile that grandmother’s swoon over. I have always thought he was a nice man and I’m sure he’s a suitable match for Kristy. The only thing that matters to me, and I’m sure Maddox, is Kristy’s happiness.
When Maddox sees just how much he makes Kristy smile, he will approve of Scott.
But for now…
Maddox stands, slightly flexing his muscles to appear large as he leans over the table to offer his hand. I meet Kristy’s wide eyes as she looks at me with anxiety. I give her a wink. “…nice to meet you,” Maddox says. He stares Scott down and I decide to intervene.
“Hi, Scott! It’s good to see you again!” I beam, offering him a bright smile as I gently place hand on Maddox. With a tug, I bring him back down to his chair.
“Hi, Adelaide. How’ve you been?” Scott sits across from me, seemingly glad to escape Maddox’s scrutiny.
“Great. Great. I’m glad you agreed to join us for a night of bowling. It’s going to be—”
“What are your intentions with Kristy?” Maddox interrupts.
“Maddox!” Kristy and I both say at the same time. I look at him with disbelief. How dare he interrupt me. And to ask that question, of all questions!
Maddox doesn’t look at either of us as he continues to stare Scott down. He does, however, reach under the table to grab my hand. I give his fingers a tight squeeze, warning him to be nice.
“Ignore him. Scott, do you use bumpers?” I ask, turning to punch in our names for the game we’re allowing to tick away. We only have an hour reserved and we’re losing precious time.
“No, I don’t,” Scott answers me. I nod, tapping away on the screen. After putting in Kristy’s name, I type in mine, only for Maddox to lean over and swat my fingers away. I sigh as he erases part of it to retype Addy-Mae. Maddox sneaks a kiss to my cheek before he puts in his name last.
“Okay, you’re up!” I say to Scott, smiling over at him. He gets up to bowl and I turn to glower at Maddox. “Don’t be a Neanderthal. This is important to Kristy. Please, give him a chance. You’ll learn the answers to your demeaning questions simply by learning about him.” Maddox meets my gaze and his expression softens. He leans over and rests his forehead against mine.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I feel as if I have year to make up for. I don’t want to let either of you down, but I’m also nervous to find out all I’ve missed when I was gone. It’s hard to accept this man, knowing I didn’t meet him when I should have.”
I gently run my finger along Maddox’s scar, giving a small smile. “I’m the only one who’s met him, Maddox. And that’s because he came into the bookstore once to see Kristy. You’re meeting him at precisely the right time.”
Maddox closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He reaches up and tugs on a lock of my hair, twirling it around my finger. “I love you, Addy-Mae. Forgive me.” Maddox pulls away the same moment Scott returns to his seat. It’s Kristy’s turn, but she lingers to hear what Maddox is about to say. “Nice job, man. How about we do a little bit of friendly competition? May the best couple win!” Maddox raises a brow in challenge and Scott smirks.
“It’s on!”
I look at Kristy and smile encouragingly at her.
Thank you, she mouths.