Audria sputters and drags wet clumps of hair from her forehead. “Truce?”
“For now,” I mumble.
“You play dirty.”
“This is nothing, city girl.”
“I’ll be watching you, farmer.” She motions from her eyes to mine.
“That doesn’t sound like a bad thing.” I lift her onto the tube, dropping onto my own in the next beat. “So, what’s next?”
She reclines against the squeaky plastic, trailing two fingers through the water. “I’m not following.”
I paddle closer. “This is fun, right?”
The corners of her eyes crinkle when she peeks over at me. “Heck yes. I’m having a blast.”
“Which means we should plan a repeat.”
Her throat quivers with a thick swallow. “At the lake?”
“No, we’ll go somewhere else. It can be our new trend.”
“And you want the new girl to choose?”
I lift my brows at her. “You’ve had more than a month to gather your bearings.”
Audria taps her lips. “I can pick anything?” The glint in her eyes should probably scare me.
“Sure, why not?”
“You might regret that decision.”
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
The sliding doors open with a gentle swoosh, chasing the steam from my bare arms with a blast of cold air. July melted into August, but the summer humidity clings on with a vengeance. We’ve had more record highs in this single season than the past five years combined. Relief from today’s staggering heat index is near, though. The sun sinks toward the horizon, taking the worst of the unbearable temperature with it.
A clang of metal draws my attention to the cart corral. The smile tipping my lips forms without conscious effort. I’ve made several trips to this store since my arrival in Bampton Valley. Countless more visits lie in my future, but none will ever replace that initial crash with Reeve. It turns out I’m not the only one who cherishes that memory. The town is still yapping about how we met that day almost two months ago. I probably only feed the rumors when I spend a decent chunk of my free time with the guy. Only as friends, of course.
With a mental scolding, I veer from the topic that seems to steal my focus more often than not. I turn my attention to what’s actually in front of me. Valley Market is busier than usual for early evening on a Wednesday. People mill about in every direction, creating an intricate maze I’ll never solve. Regardless of the small population, most of these folks are still strangers to me. I find myself wondering if that will change before I leave. Do I want it to?
Sondra must notice my slower pace. “Hey, pokey. We’re just pulling a fast stop-and-grab, yeah?”
How does she make a quick detour at the grocery store sound sexy? I send her a wink for the effort. “Yep, the first movie starts in less than an hour.”
“We better hustle, or all the good spots will be taken.”
“I’m sure Reeve and his crew can secure a section with some blankets until we arrive.”
She snorts. “That’s adorable. As if they’d be so prepared.”
I twist my lips to one side. “They’ve been to the Big Screen Under the Stars events, right?”
Sondra swats at empty space. “That doesn’t matter. You give them too much credit.”
I feel like she’s not giving them enough. “Even if Bea is there to offer assistance?”
“With the way she’s been ogling Gavin lately?”
“Okay, fine.” That’s a fair point. I clap my hands and aim for aisle five. “Let’s get going.”
She lengthens her stride to catch me. “Much better.”
My flip-flops squeak when I make a sharp turn at the corner. “What are your favorite snacks?”
“Anything covered in chocolate. I’m a fan of fruity chews too.” Sondra smacks her lips. “You need a proper pair of boots.”
I pause with my hand hovering over a bag of licorice. “That’s super random while shopping for candy and salty treats.”
She motions to our left. “Macy June just passed by, strutting her stuff, and reminded me. The leather matched her denim skirt.”
I do a cursory glance in our direct vicinity but don’t see anyone matching such a description. That name doesn’t ring a bell, not that it needs to in this case. “I have several pairs all set for fall.”
Sondra lifts a brow at me. “Of the cowboy variety?”
“Well, no.”
“Any with fringe?”
“Do moccasin slippers count?”
“Not even a little bit. You need an actual pair of cowboy boots, especially round here.”
I stare at my cheap sandals, imagining cushy soles replacing them. “That doesn’t sound half bad. Once it’s cooler, though.”
“Or just wear them with your Daisy Duke shorts. With your legs, that would be a dynamite combo.”
I blink at her. “I don’t own any of those.”
Sondra sends me a flat expression. “I’ve seen your cutoffs. Don’t play innocent with me.”
“They’re not that short,” I defend.
She coughs out a cackle. “Okay, sure. And my hair is naturally red.”
“It isn’t?”
“Oh, sweetie.” She pets my ponytail. “At least you’re pretty.”
I dodge her next patronizing swipe. “Brat.”
“That’s why you like me.” She tosses a package of tropical Starbursts in her basket. “Getting you some fancy footwear is the excuse we need to ditch this popsicle stand. We’re about an hour away from Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. Take your pick.”
A whistle flows from me. “Oh, the big cities. I’ve never been to either one.”
“Intentionally?”
“No, not really. I’ve just never had a reason to go. Why would I, with Minneapolis and St. Paul at my fingertips?” I remind her, as if she forgot.
“How about for variety’s sake?”
“I’m not sure I can handle the fast pace anymore.” I’m joking—mostly.
Sondra quirks a brow. “You’d rather stay in Bam without reprieve?”
She gets a laugh for that. “It’s not
