Wildflower Read Free

with her grandparents.
    “Hale didn’t wake me to patch him up,” Genieva said. “Are you sure you guys went to Frankie’s?”
    Kolby rubbed his aching chin. “Yes, and that’s because the guy he was fighting with never laid a hand on him. But my opponent on the other hand, landed a solid punch against my chin and knocked me out the door. I landed at some woman’s feet.”
    Genieva chuckled. “What did she do?”
    “She looked at me very sternly when I accidently looked up her skirt.”
    “No, you didn’t!”
    “I’m afraid so,” Kolby said. “She had some nice legs though and a pretty face beneath her frown.”
    “I’m surprised you noticed,” Genieva said. “Did you at least apologize?”
    “Yes, I did. I remembered my manners.” He sighed, “And I’ll probably never see her again.”
    “Oh, I don’t know. Brazoria is a pretty small place. You might run into her again the next time you get into a fight at Frankie’s.”
    “I doubt that,” Kolby said.
    Marissa returned.
    “Are you ready to go to school, sweetheart?” Genieva asked her.
    “Yes,” Marissa answered. She kissed Kolby goodbye.
    “Have nice day, darling,” Kolby said to Marissa. “You too, Sis.”
    “Don’t forget about the open house tonight at the school,” Genieva said, heading toward the front door with her niece.
    Kolby grabbed the container of hair products. “I won’t.”
    “The school bus will drop Marissa off around four, so you’ll have plenty of time to get ready and make it there to meet her teacher.”
    “I said I’ll be there,” Kolby said, feeling a bit pissed. He wasn’t a complete fuck up when it came to being around strangers.
    Genieva and Marissa finally left.
    Kolby carried the plastic box upstairs and put it on Marissa’s vanity. Her bed was neatly made, her dirty clothing was in the hamper, and all her toys were stacked neatly on shelves. Kolby smiled. It was hard to believe Marissa was just a little girl. Meredith would be proud of her. He walked out of his daughter’s room, grabbed his hat off a hook in his room, and hurried downstairs. He drove to meet up with Hale who was up at the North side of the ranch working on the fence. He found his brother-in-law busy removing the planks from the back of his truck. Kolby got out of his to help. They finished mending the fence near lunchtime. They drove back separately in their trucks and got in the chow line.
    The workers from the fields and the ones working with the cattle all came in for lunch. Harry helped his aunt by carrying out the ice chests filled with soda, water, and juice.
    Lunch was always served cafeteria style. Sonya and the apprentice chef Tanner kept the line moving by handing out plates, utensils, and napkins while Joe placed slices of tender roast beef and gravy atop the homemade French bread. There were also individual bags of chips and pickles to go along with the sandwiches. Sonya had already sliced tomatoes and lettuce and had them on platters for the workers to add to their sandwiches along with condiments.
    “Where’s dad?” Kolby asked Sonya when he made it up to the front of the line.
    “He went into town for a meeting with a new client and then he is supposed to stop at the barber for a haircut.”
    Since Kolby had taken over the day to day management of the ranch work, Kirk’s time was freed up so he could mingle with potential customers and suppliers.
    “I picked up your clothing from the cleaners while I was in town and put them in your room,” Sonya said.
    “Thanks,” Kolby said, knowing he was due for a teasing from the other guys because his mother still did things for him.
    “Are you finished mending the fence?” Sonya asked.
    “Yes, ma’am and the damaged trees have been taken care of too. Is there anything in particular you need me to do?”
    “Yes, we got a new calf about to be born. Its mother has been in labor for a while and I think she might need some help.”
    Besides being the ranch resident