Читать книгу The Cowboy's Return - Susan Crosby - Страница 10

Annie had been dirty before, filthy even, but never from head to toe like today. They’d dug trenches, tested water lines, redug and retested, delaying going inside for lunch until they were done with the messy, muddy work. Austin had been allowed not to dig, but sent to pick blueberries to give to Marissa as a thank-you gift. He’d made himself a sandwich and was ready to go.

“They’re here!” he called out, racing to the greenhouse. “They’re coming up the drive.”

Annie didn’t even attempt to brush herself off. She would’ve only been rubbing the muck in deeper.

“Come meet my friend,” Austin said to Mitch, who exchanged a look with Annie before answering.

“Another time, bud. I need to stem this leak before we create a sinkhole.”

Austin frowned. “But—”

“Ben will be back,” Annie said as Mitch went deeper into the tunnel, out of anyone’s line of vision from the driveway.

“When they bring me home, okay, Mitch?”

“We’ll see.”

“They’re waiting, honey,” Annie said, urging her son toward the car.

“Well, aren’t you a glamour shot waiting to happen,” Marissa said, laughing, as Annie came up to her window.

“You think?” Annie held out her shirt like a tutu and curtsied. “I left my tiara in the safe.”

Questions about Mitch crowded Annie’s thoughts. She couldn’t ask them, not even in a vague way. “You’re not showing yet.”

“I can’t button my jeans anymore. I’m held together with rubber bands. Thank goodness for long blouses. All buckled up, Austin?”

“Yes, ma’am. Here.” He passed her the bag of berries.

“My favorites, thanks, sweetie. I figure he’ll be back between four and five, Annie. They’ll want to play the arcade games for a while.”

“Two treats in one. Have fun, honey.” Annie waved at her excited son, who was already in deep conversation with Ben and barely gave her a second look. She smiled as they drove off. It was heartening to see him having a good time with friends.

“So, how was it?” Mitch asked from right behind her, startling her so that she jumped.

She pressed a hand to her throat for a second. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.”