Page 108 of Heart & Hope

“You’re welcome,” I choke out and break my hold as the last notes of the song echo out.

Reed meets me halfway to the table. I hold my hand up. “Give me a minute to catch my breath.”

He nods, but his brows lower as I walk past and head for the door, plucking my coat from the hook inside the entrance.

Outside, the snowflakes settle on my hair and shoulders. I lean on the cold wall of the barn, the noise of happy people and upbeat country tunes spilling through the slightly open doors with the bright light. With a shiver, I pull my coat around my body tighter. The momentous scale of the situation I have woven my way into hits me.

I changed a life for the better.

I made him happy.

I made all these people happy. With one unforgettable night.

Nothing like the cold, impersonal corporate events I usually plan.

And suddenly, the thought of going back to that is incomprehensible.

But my place is not here.

It’s back in the city.

If this hiatus from my career trajectory has taught me anything, it’s that veering off the path might find you a little fun, but the things I have worked for pay the price for my inattention. Olive is pissed and has all but replaced me.

I’m making mistakes.

I push off the barn and wander to Louisa and Harry’s truck. Climbing up onto the front bar, I sit with my knees up and shiver, tucking my head into my coat lining. Things may have worked out for Addy, but I’m not her. I’m not good at emotions and relationships and small-town living. They seem to swallow me whole and leave me drowning.

“Thought I might find you out here.”

I look up to find Mack’s handsome face, his worried dark blue eyes locked on me.

“I needed a breather after dancing with Harry.”

He laughs and climbs up beside me. “Yeah, who knew the old man still had the moves?”

“He really does. He is a fantastic dancer.”

“You didn’t think Ma married him for his personality, did you?”

I grin and shake my head. “Knew there had to be more to Harry Rawlins; never expected fancy footwork.”

“Thinkin’ about trading up a generation to the old man, Robbins?”

I choke on a laugh. Mack nudges my shoulder with his. But the smile that rose falls, and I shiver, hunkering back inside my coat.

“Come inside, Rubes.”

“Reed’s okay? Getting around to the guests?”

“Come see for yourself.” He jumps down off the truck and extends a hand. I slip my ice-cold one into his. It’s warm and wraps around mine. There isn’t one person in this family who doesn’t seem to have my back. The feeling is so unfamiliar, it aches its way through my heart.

Safely on the ground, Mack wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his warmth. Glancing up at him, tears fill my stupid eyes.

Shit.

“Sorry,” I whisper, wiping them away with the back of my hands.

“Hey, it’s been a long few weeks. It’s okay, Robbins.”

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