"No problem. Brice knows how to get them back to me, whenever. Don't worry about it. You’re looking much better since I saw you last."
"She's getting there, but not one hundred percent yet," Brice says as he walks up.
"Well, this is perfect timing. Sage is throwing an impromptu BBQ in light of this nice March weather. It’s tomorrow after church. Come hang out, invite your parents," Ella says.
"You just want my mom to bring her banana pudding," Brice chuckles.
"I won't even lie and say no," Ella says, making them all laugh.
"Kayla is welcome, too. There will be plenty of food. Sage has been craving BBQ, and Sarah has been crazy for all things sweet, so you know those boys are going to make it happen.”
Brice must see the glazed expression on my face because I have no idea who they're talking about.
"Sage is Jason's sister, who is pregnant, and Sarah is married to Jason's brother, and she is also pregnant. They’re due about two weeks apart at the end of summer,” Brice says.
"Jason is the oldest, and he has a biological brother and sister. His parents then adopted two more boys and Sage when they needed out of a bad home life. It's one big extended family," Ella says.
"We’ll see about making it," Brice says as I turn to pay Missy.
I lean over and sign the sales receipt as Missy finishes bagging the clothes. She put Brice's boots in their bag, and I hand them to him. He does a double take at the boots inside and then looks up at me.
"I had a little help." I glance at Missy who blushes slightly. "But I wanted to thank you for everything. I know I'm not the easiest person to deal with."
A shocked expression fills his face as he knows the boots weren't cheap. But just because I prefer to shop the sales rack doesn't mean I don't have money to spare.
He reaches out, touching my arm, looking me in the eyes. "Thank you. You didn't have to do this, but thank you."
I was expecting more of a fight, but am relieved he accepted them so graciously.
Brice takes the rest of my bags and helps me to his truck. He opens my door and wraps his hands around my waist, lifting me up into the seat.
"Let's get those boots on. The added support will make that ankle feel a lot better."
Brice opens the pack of socks and places them on my feet. We both know I can easily do this on my own, but I like that he’s helping, and as his fingers dance across my skin, tingles follow in their wake. When he removes the boots from their box, he places one on my non injured foot first, then gently slips on the other. It’s a bit of a tight fit with the brace, but he gets it on–and he's right, the added support already feels a bit better.
"So, I think you'll be okay to go to the BBQ tomorrow. Would you like to go with me?" he asks hesitantly as he places the bags in the back seat.
"It sounds like fun."
"Well, I have a few conditions," he says as he closes the door and then gets in on his side.
"Let's hear them."
"You will be there as my guest. No business talk. Jason and Nick will both be there. This is their family, and I don’t want you making them uncomfortable. You leave business talk at the door. Even if they bring it up, you change the subject."
"No worries. I feel pretty out of place here, anyway. So I’ll probably hide by the side and watch."
"You’ll see that Sage and Ella won't allow that."
"What other rules?"
"You’re there as my guest. There will be no dancing or flirting with any single men."
I chuckle. "You make it sound like a date."
When he doesn't deny it, I drop it. But then I have a thought. This is a small town, and he grew up here."You ever date anyone who's going to be there?"
When he doesn't answer right away, I almost think he hasn’t heard me.