Once I calmed down and managed drinking about half a bottle of ginger ale with the medicine, Lettie left us alone to watch TV, which was something I’d never done at home. Weird how something so dire as a snakebite came with privileges.

“The town is going to know all about you being here with me,” I warned him as a lightness grew through my limbs.

“Good. I want everyone to know I’m here with my girlfriend.” Vance lifted my palm, kissed it, then flattened it against his chest. The rising and falling of his breaths and the steady beat of his heart were as soothing as the kiss.

I snickered. “Nash was too cute about the girlfriend declaration.”

“Yeah, but not near as cute as your Wonder Woman panties.”

“Ugh. You didn’t have to admit to seeing them.” I attempted to pull my hand off his chest, but Vance’s large palm trapped it there. “Save me some sliver of dignity.”

“I respect your choice of underwear.” His expression was the very definition of innocent just as his lips curved on one side to reveal the tease.

“Keep it up and I’ll make you leave,” I warned, but my voice slurred slightly, so it killed the sternness I was going for.

We settled down and turned our attention to the TV set up at the foot of the bed. Halfway through an episode of The Fall Guy, I started nodding off.

Vance brushed my hair away from my face, waking me a little. “I like how you handled Knox.”

“What do you mean?” Grogginess from the pain meds settled a lethargic weight over me, but thankfully the pain was dulling too.

“You were straight up with him instead of brushing the mistake away and corrected him without being all mean about it.” Vance traced my fingers with the tip of his index finger. “You’re going to be a great mother one day, Austin.”

Slipping under the blanket of unconsciousness, I think I muttered, “No . . . I don’t want children.”

And I think his reply was something along the lines of him having to change my mind about that.

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Two weeks later, I hobbled into the library. Before I could voice my request, Miss Jones handed me a stack of books with titles that all included the word snake. It was actually comforting to know this woman truly got me.

Chapter 9: NOT EVERY ITCH
NEEDS SCRATCHING

August 1984

Summer shifted into a slow conclusion with several things coming at me way too fast. The twins were starting prekindergarten. And Vance would soon return all of his attention to college. Then it would be just me on a daily basis with Pa, since Tripp got Boss a job shadowing him in the city.