Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Uh-oh…
“Something wrong, Brianna?” Mom asks.
I can almost feel the color drain from my face. “Why are you asking me that?”
“Because you frowned when Dad said he was happy that you’re going to be here. That doesn’t make any sense to me.”
What an opener. Apparently I don’t have a good game face.
I draw in a deep breath. “Well, Mom, Dad… It’s just that…I’ve made some plans.”
“Oh?” Dad raises his eyebrows. “What kind of plans?”
I clear my throat. “I’ve always wanted to see Europe, and I thought since Donny and Callie are going over to the UK when the band leaves after the first of the year… Well, I thought I’d go along.”
“Have you talked to Donny and Callie about this?” Mom asks.
“Oh, yeah. They know.”
“Are you sure they want you tagging along?” Mom wipes her lips with her napkin. “They may consider it a private trip. A romantic one.”
“It’s not like I’m going to be staying in the same room with them. I’ll have my own room. But I figured it was a good time to go—you know, since they’ll be there. And of course Brock and Rory will be there too.”
“It does sound like a great opportunity, Talon,” Mom says. “I would have loved to see Europe at Bree’s age. I was so envious of Marj the summer she went while I had to stay at home and work for my father’s company.”
“Aunt Marjorie went to Europe?” I ask.
“Wouldn’t know,” Dad says gruffly. “I was overseas myself then.”
Dad doesn’t talk much about his time in the military, but he was a hero, according to the rest of the family. Weird that Aunt Marj went to Europe, but my generation of Steels are content to stay closer to home. That’s how we were raised. Now that I know our full family history, I understand why.
“I think she should go,” Mom says.
Dad nods. “I suppose it’s not a big deal. Donny and Callie are only going to be gone for the two plus weeks the band is in the UK. You can start work after that.”
I bite on my lower lip. Here goes…
“Actually…I’m going to be assisting Brock and Rory.” Okay, that’s not what I was supposed to say.
“What do you mean?” Mom asks.
Yeah, what do I mean? That just popped out of my mouth. “Rory’s going to need an assistant.”
“And what kind of experience do you have assisting a rock singer?” Dad asks, his voice a little rigid.
I open my mouth to speak, but—
“Talon,” Mom says, “I think what she’s trying to tell you is that she wants to go on tour with the band.”
I heave a sigh of relief. Good old Mom.
I send her a thank you glance.
However, the look on her face doesn’t readily say you’re welcome.
“Is that true, Brianna?” Dad asks.
“Well… It’s just such a good chance to see Europe. And not have to go alone.”
“If you want to go to Europe,” Dad says, “why didn’t you take a semester abroad during college?”
“There aren’t really any semesters abroad where you can study American agriculture in Europe.”
“So? You could’ve left your major for a semester. You could’ve studied art history. Or environmental studies. Or any number of things that I know you’re interested in.”
“That ship has sailed, Dad. Now I want to go to Europe, and this is a great chance.”
Dad takes a sip from his mug. Then he frowns. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I have to agree with your father,” Mom says. “Going to the UK for a few weeks with Donny and Callie is one thing, but—”
“Brock is going, and he’s only two years older than I am.”
“Yes, but he’s going as Rory’s fiancé. Plus…”
Mom stops talking.
I know exactly what she’s going to say. He’s a man. Men can take better care of themselves than women. Which is a crock of shit, and she knows it.
“I can take good care of myself, Mom. Hell, I handle a gun better than Brock does.”
“Did I say you didn’t?” Mom says. “But you know you can’t take a gun with you on a plane.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “For God’s sake, I’m not a moron. I don’t plan on taking my gun with me.”
“And how do you plan to take care of yourself?” Dad asks.
“By using my brain, Daddy. Jeez.”
Mom takes a sip of her coffee and then clears her throat. “You’re a grown woman, Brianna.”
“Damned right I am. I’m not asking your permission. I’m telling you.”
“A grown woman wouldn’t take that tone of voice with her parents,” Dad says calmly.
Yeah. He’s got me there.
I inhale, exhale. “I apologize for my tone. And thank you, Daddy, for having the confidence in me to be your second-in-command with regard to the orchard. I’ve been looking forward to that my entire life, and that hasn’t changed. I’ll only be gone the first half of the year. I’ll be back by the time the trees are in bloom. Everything will work out fine.”