(Mira)
The compound got quiet slowly.
Not all at once. Just gradually. Kids getting carried inside by tired parents. Brothers drifting off in small groups. Music lowering until it was just background noise and then nothing at all.
I sat at one of the tables near the edge of the yard with Cassidy beside me and watched it wind down. My feet were tired. My back had been complaining for the last hour. But I didn't want to go inside yet. I wanted to stay in it for a little longer.
Harlow dropped into the chair across from me with a dramatic sigh.
"My feet are done," she said.
"Same," I said.
"Worth it though."
"Yeah," I said. "Worth it."
Cassidy sat with her coffee and looked out at what was left of the yard without saying anything.
Ridge appeared behind me and put his hand on my shou
