Cora squeaks, but doesn’t back away.
“You can pet her,” Mr. Mullins says. “If your guardians here don’t mind, that is.”
Cora whips her head around to look at me, and even if it crossed my mind to say no, I can’t when her eyes are shining so brightly.
“Go on,” I tell her. “But be careful.”
There’s another squeak of excitement, and it hits me that I haven’t heard her be so pleased or interested in something in months.
Mr. Mullins is kind as he crouches down and explains to her where she can touch Bessie, guiding her hand to stroke along the cow’s side.
“Good girl,” he says. “Bessie likes a gentle hand, just like that.”
Lainey and I share a laugh at how completely taken Cora is, and another source of warmth blooms in my chest. I haven’t had a woman to be close to since my sister died. There’s been none of that easy female friendship that makes everything lighter. The thought makes my chest ache a bit.
After a few minutes, I have to pull Cora away from Bessie. “We’ve got to get going,” I tell her softly. “And I’m sure Mr. Mullins needs to put Bessie to bed.”
“Right you are,” Mr. Mullins says. “But Bessie likes the company, so thank you.” He winks at Cora and then continues leading the cow up the street.
We continue to the bar and find Lincoln already there. He’s seated at one of the tables with a laptop in front of him, typing away doing inventory or something.
“There’s my brother,” Lainey says with a grin. “Hard at work as always. You’d think this man would take a break, but nope. No breaks for him.”
“Someone has to work in this family,” Lincoln murmurs back, not looking away from his screen.
“Are you calling me lazy?” Lainey demands playfully, popping her hands on her hips. “The audacity.”
“Big word.”
“Oh shut up.”
“You started it.”
Lainey rolls her eyes and gives me a look. I just duck my head and go behind the bar to wash up and find my apron.
“Anyway,” Lainey says. “Mom and Dad want you at dinner on Sunday.”
“I was at dinner last Sunday,” Lincoln replies.
“Yeah, and you left after twenty minutes. They actually want you to stick around for a while and you know, be with your family.”
There’s something about listening to the two of them that makes my chest ache all over again. They have a clear sibling bond, with all the teasing and little inside jokes, and it’s comfortable. It’s lived in—proof that they’re used to being with each other and have been like this for years.
As much as I don’t want it to, it makes me think of what I lost. I don’t want to dwell on that today, but the feelings are close to the surface.
Eventually, Lainey takes Cora to hang out while I work.
The bar is quiet as I start stocking things for tonight, and I glance at Lincoln, feeling like I should say something. I know I don’t have to fill the silence with him, and he’s not expecting it, but still. It feels weird to be here and say nothing.
“So,” I start, making a face at how awkward it sounds. “No Cash or Everett tonight?”
Lincoln shakes his head. “Nah. They’ve got something else to do tonight.”
I nod. “They’re probably really busy. I can’t imagine having a day job and then running a bar on the side too.”
He hums his agreement, but doesn’t say anything else for a few minutes. Then, “How’s Cora liking being with Lainey?”
“Oh. She likes her,” I say. “And Lainey’s great with her. She’s great in general.”