Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,116

and Dad raised him right. He’s going to make one hell of a husband one day, for multiple reasons. First of all, it’s the truth; second, I just like to wind him up. Aaron is a thinker. He processes everything, including who he dates. He doesn’t see the point in dating someone who he cannot see himself spending the rest of his life with. If he’s not feeling it, he ends it. Only problem is, how is he ever going to get to know someone? Mom and I both have tried to explain this, but he’s too damn stubborn. When he does fall, it’s going to be hard and I’m going to enjoy every single second of watching him flounder around in uncharted seas.

I follow along behind him, expecting him to lead me to his old beat up ford. Instead, we’re standing in front of a brand-new, shiny Ford F-350 four-door beast. I’m sure there is a more technical name for it, but it’s freaking huge, so beast it is. “This thing is huge!”

“I know, right?” He grins at me. “Just picked it up last week. I decided to retire the other one.”

“It’s about time. You’ve been driving that same old beat-up truck since you were sixteen.”

“Yeah, and with me taking over the farm, I can’t depend on borrowing Dad’s all the time.” He shrugs. “It was time to man up and get my own. One that could actually pull the horse trailer up the hills and not take six days to do it.” We both laugh at that. My brother is frugal to a fault. He’s not one to need shiny new toys. He can afford it, as he’s a partner in the farm with my parents, but you would never know it. He’s modest and so much like our father.

“How’s that going?” I ask.

“Good. Papers are drawn up. I’ve asked them both a million times if they’re sure they are ready to pass it on, and they both agree it’s time. Dad says he wants to relax and watch me sweat,” he laughs.

“It’s hard work, Aaron. I know you love the farm, but you’ve seen the long hours Dad had to put in. You sure this is what you want? No one would judge you if you didn’t.” I ask the question, even though I already know the answer. A resounding yes. Our family farm is in his blood, and it’s always been his dream to take it over. His best friend’s family owns the farm that runs parallel to ours. He and Evan have been friends for as long as I can remember and have always talked about taking over and working together.

“Yes!” he says emphatically and I grin. I know my brother.

“So, what about Evan? How is he? How’s his dad?”

“He’s good. Adjusting. His parents moved to Alabama. There is an oncologist there who specializes in his type of cancer. The warmer climate also helps. He’s always freezing.” Aaron loads my bags into the truck as I climb up into the passenger seat. I actually have to climb because this thing is so big. Thank goodness for running boards.

“I can’t imagine how hard that is for him. I’m sure he always pictured his dad and granddad being there when he took over,” I say softly.

“Yeah, he’s…okay, I guess. He doesn’t say much. Evan just jumps in head first and gets it done, you know what I mean?”

I nod. Evan is the exact opposite of Aaron. He makes decisions on a whim and rolls with it. Senior prom is a great example. Aaron agonized over who to ask. He didn’t want his date to think it was more than that, just a date. Evan on the other hand, had accepted the first invitation he received. That’s another way they differ—Aaron thought it was the man’s job to ask the girl. Evan just rolled with life. That particular trait alone intensified the already massive crush I had on him. The girl who asked him to the prom, she wasn’t popular, she wasn’t the most beautiful, but she asked and he agreed. He didn’t do it out of pity or to play games with her. Evan treated her like he would a beauty queen. He’s just an all around good guy and my teenage heart couldn’t help but fall for him.

“Speak of the devil.” Aaron holds his phone up so I can see Evan’s name lighting up the screen. “Hey, man, what’s up?” he asks in greeting. I block