Mabel quickly nodded and handed over a workbook and an academic award from my schoolbag.
Jethro and Melinda looked them over, completely satisfied.
“Bro, look at his handwriting! This boy’s gonna give us a smart grandson for sure!”
The bearded man Tavian was about to say something when an older man in his 60s, smoking a cigar, let out a sigh.
“Well, that’s good. I promised my brother I’d take care of you boys. Now that Jethro’s idiot daughter has a husband, all that’s left is you Tavian!”
The one speaking was their uncle—Faron.
That old bastard couldn’t have kids of his own, so he ended up raising his dead brother’s sons. He was the one who brought up Tavian and Jethro.
“Uncle Faron, I’m over 40 now. I’ve spent my whole damn life farming in this backwoods town—who the hell would want me at this point?
“At least Jethro got lucky. He managed to marry our cousin. Me? I got nothing.”
I rolled my eyes.
No wonder their daughter turned out slow.
The next second, I gasped like I had just realized what was happening, my face twisting in fear before bursting into loud sobs.
“Aren’t we getting caramel apples?”
Probably worried my crying would wake the neighbors, Jethro and Melinda crouched down, shushing me and trying to calm me down.
Mabel and Fabienne, two women standing nearby, chimed in.
“Shh, don’t cry, kiddo. If you marry this little girl when you grow up, you’ll get something even sweeter than caramel apples!”
I sniffled, pretending to believe them. “Really?”
They sighed in relief and nodded eagerly.
I pointed at little Gracie, who was drooling all over herself. “But I’m just a kid. How can I marry her?”
They chuckled. “That’s how it works. Boys grow up and get married. If you two are promised to each other now, you’ll grow up together and love each other more. Her whole family will take care of you!”
“Oh.”
I acted like I understood and nodded obediently.
They relaxed and turned back to Jethro and Melinda.
“The boy’s yours now. That truck we came in is too damn noticeable parked at the edge of town. How about you go ahead and settle the rest of that $30,000?”
Jethro nodded and told Melinda to grab the money.
As soon as Mabel and Fabienne got their hands on the cash, they grinned and pulled out a lantern, counting it right there.
The dim light flickered over their faces, and I caught the shift in Tavian’s expression. His eyes locked onto Mabel as he asked,