Playing with Words (Boggy Creek Valley #2) - Kelly Elliott Page 0,100
was her name again?”
I parked and slipped out of the car. “Brighton. She’s good. A lawyer in Boston now.”
“Really? My goodness, time goes by fast. Everly and Brighton played together a few times when we stayed there.”
“I better let you go, Mom. Going to top off my gas, stretch, and then I’ll get back on the road. I want to call Greer as well.”
“Sounds good, sweetheart. Drive safely, and see you soon.”
After filling up with gas, making a bathroom pit stop, and stocking up on junk food, I was ready to get back on my way. I pulled up Greer’s name and called her cell. When she answered, I heard what sounded like yelling in the background.
“Greer? Is everything okay?”
She laughed, then seemed to be trying to catch her breath. “Fine. Good. Goat got out…”
I frowned. “Um, did you just say a goat got out? Out of what? Did you buy a goat while I was gone?”
Giggling, she replied, “No. Let me…catch my breath.”
“Okay, while you’re catching your breath, I’ll give you an update. I’m on my way and only a few hours out from Boston. My folks are going to rent a room for a few days at the Willow Tree Inn to go house-hunting with me. Jill, my realtor, has some leads on a few places for sale. Gotta say, I was surprised by how many places are actually for sale in the valley. Have you caught your breath yet, baby?”
She cleared her throat. “Yes! Thank you. I’m at the Boyers’ farm right now with Willa and Arabella. They both needed some goat milk, and I wanted to buy some flowers for Turning Pages. When we got here, one of their goats—Lucifer is his name—got loose and took off. I’ve been chasing after the damn thing, along with Arabella and Mr. Boyer. Willa used her pregnancy card to get out of helping.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I pictured all of them chasing after a goat. “Sounds like his name fits him.”
“You have no idea; it fits the little bastard to a T. You should have seen his eyes when he turned and came after me and Arabella. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her move so fast in my entire life. Anyway, what time do you think you’ll be here tomorrow? I’m so excited to see you. I know you’ve only been gone a week, but it feels like forever!”
A warm feeling spread through my chest, along with a rush of happiness. “I missed you, too, Greer. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms.”
“You know, your parents are more than welcome to stay with me. I have a guest bedroom.”
“Hell to the no,” I quickly said. “I want to make you scream my name when you come, and having my folks in the room down the hall will be crazy awkward when you’re begging me for more.”
There was a moment of silence before she whispered, “Why would you do that to me?”
“Do what?” I asked.
“Give me that visual? Now I’m standing in the middle of a pasture surrounded by goats thinking about…you know.”
“No, tell me.”
She huffed. “Not going to happen. I better go, Arabella looks like she’s buying the farm!”
“Huh?”
Greer laughed. “She’s making some sort of goat and honey soap now, and I think she’s actually trying to buy a goat!”
“Um…I think I’ll let you go. Please don’t bring home a goat!”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about there. I can’t wait to see and kiss you, Hudson Higgins. Be careful driving!”
“See you soon.”
When I hit End, I couldn’t help the goofy-ass smile that spread over my face. How had I ever managed to live my life without Greer Larson in it?
Greer
“How does it look?” I asked as Candace and Arabella examined our handiwork. The table was set with real plates, not paper, which was rare for me. I’d laid out silverware, and not the plastic kind—again, I was totally adulting—along with two wine glasses. A bouquet of fresh flowers from the Boyers’ farmers’ market sat in the middle of the table and filled the air with the scent of sunflowers, asters, and lilies.
Candace let out an overly dramatic sigh. “It looks beautiful. It smells so good in here too. There’s nothing like the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven.”
Arabella suddenly turned and rushed into the kitchen, Candace and I hot on her heels. “What’s wrong?” I asked, skidding to a stop before I ran into her.