The Bequest

My initial reservations notwithstanding, Robert acts entirely and completely normal all day-and the morning of the Fourth. He's not flirty. He's not inappropriate.

I think he just missed us.

He spends as much time with the kids as he does with me. I forgot how much they like him. He and Gabe play with an old train set that he finds in the attic. Izzy and Whitney and Emery convince him to play an unknown number of hands of Uno. This morning, when I wake up to help the girls feed and water goats, chickens, cats, and horses, he's already awake and about to head out with Ethan to move the water.

"I didn't realize you'd be up this early," I say.

"It's kind of unfair," he says. "For me, this feels like seven o'clock."

That's true. Different time zones. "You're sure you want to wear those shoes?" I eye his shiny white and black sneakers.

He laughs. "These are almost a year old, but I run on a treadmill mostly, so they don't look it. I've put about twice the miles on them that I was supposed to, so I bought a new pair already. I'm prepared to toss these in the trash before I leave." "Smart man," Ethan says. "They'll probably be ready for it." He winks at me. "Unless Aunt Amanda gets her hands on them. I wonder what her Tide junk could do with them."

"Her what?"

Robert met Amanda last night. She seemed too tired to stay up and talk when she got back from...wherever she went. But at least he knows who she is. "She's a social media influencer," I say. "She's been doing a lot of features for Tide lately, showcasing what kinds of ranch life stains their stuff can successfully eliminate."

"Ah." He turns to Ethan. "Ready?"

"I'm going to watch the saddle bronc riding for the rodeo," I say. "Steve's judging it. I'll be leaving at nine-thirty to make sure I'm there on time, and the girls are pretty excited to watch as well. Barrel racing happens right after it." "We'll be back by nine," Ethan says.

"Perfect," Robert says. "I'll come with you." Wonderful.

I keep thinking I should text or call Steve to warn him, but I'm not sure what I'd say. He's already mentioned there was probably a guy who was interested in me back home-someone suitable, someone viable, but that I probably ran here, in part, to escape him.

Stupid Steve and his horse-inspired insight.

I can hardly call him and say, "Hey, you know that guy you predicted existed? Well he's here, visiting, on the one day we were supposed to spend together. Sorry about that." And what if he asks me how I feel about Robert? I don't even know myself.

But I don't put things off. That's not who I am. So once we're done feeding the animals, and I know Steve might already be at the rodeo, I text him:

-MY OLDEST FAMILY FRIEND SURPRISED US BY COMING INTO TOWN FOR A VISIT.

-CAN'T WAIT TO MEET HER.

I cringe. Of course he assumed it's a female. Is it weird that our oldest family friend is a guy? I can't let that one go.

-HE'LL PROBABLY COME WITH ME, SO YOU CAN MEET HIM IF YOU HAVE ANY TIME TODAY.

I almost send it just like that, but I figure while I'm disclosing information, I may as well get it all out there.

-HE'S ALSO MY BOSS.

Steve calls. Of course he does. That's a lot of information to lob at someone you've been flirt-texting and with whom you're supposed to have a not-quite-date tonight.

"Hey," I say, going for nonchalant. I'm easy, airy, and totally fine.

"Your boss is here?" I can't tell if he's angry or if he's laughing.

"Uh, yeah. So Robert and Nate and I went to law school together. We met our first year, and we've all been friends ever since."

"So he's the guy."

I knew he'd know, but I play dumb anyway. It's a reflex, like an opossum playing dead, an armadillo rolling into a ball, or a turtle sucking into its shell. We're all just hoping we won't be squashed. "What guy? My boss? Yeah, I went part time when I started having kids, and Nate and Robert kept working full time. They both made partner while I changed diapers." Good one, Abby. Toss in a little feminist irritation and maybe that will throw him off the scent. "The guy who likes you, I mean."

"Robert?" Deny, deny, deny. "I've known him for almost twenty years, remember?"

"Let me guess. Somehow he found out you and I were going to the dance together, and he considers it your first date since Nate passed."

I can't lie and say that's not true.

"And he just happened to be off this weekend and decided to come for a visit. He just misses you and the kids so much."

Is he magical? Can he read minds? "I didn't want you to be shocked, that's all. He'll be there, but it's no big deal. As you mentioned, he knows you and I are hanging out tonight."

"Thanks for the warning," Steve says. "I appreciate it."

"I'll still be there to watch while you judge."

"With your dear old pal sitting next to you, I'm sure."

"And the kids. Is this going to be terribly awkward?"

"Not on my account," Steve says. "Scout's honor, I'll be on my best behavior."

"Thank you."

Now if I could get Robert to make the same promise, maybe we'd actually be fine.

Ethan and Robert finish earlier than usual, which isn't much of a surprise, since Ethan had an extra set of hands with him. I can't help laughing when Robert walks in, barefoot. "Shoes didn't even pass the test to come inside, huh?" He laughs. "Ethan says you have pretty rigorous standards about what's allowed indoors."

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "He's not wrong."

Ethan and Robert take turns using the shower, and by the time they're done, everyone's raring to go.

"Will there be real bucking broncos?" Gabe asks.

"From what I hear, there will be," I say.

"Isn't it kind of awful for the animals?" Robert asks. "I'm asking you now so I don't offend anyone, but to strap the cinch on them seems pretty mean."

"The flank strap is lined with neoprene," Whitney says. "It doesn't hurt them. If it did, they wouldn't buck at all."

"Actually, the rodeo's kind of a good thing for horses," Izzy says. "A lot of the bucking broncos are horses that just refused to settle down for saddle work. This gives them a job they're good at, and a lot of them live to be healthy and strong into their late twenties."

"Some of them compete until they're thirty," Whitney says. "And that's super old for a horse."

"You are all very well informed," Robert says.

"Mr. Archer knows a lot about it," Ethan says. "He's been teaching us."

"So he's going to ride a bucking bronco?" Robert seems genuinely curious.

"He says he's too old for that." Gabe smiles. "But he won a lot when he was younger so they want him to pick the winners."

"You said he was judging I just forgot." Robert's grin is a little sheepish as we all pile into the minivan.

"I have a bag with snacks, and I have cash. What am I forgetting?"

"Nothing, Mom. Plus, it's not like it's far. I can drive back, or Robert can, if you've forgotten something." "Absolutely," Robert says. "Let's go."