Page 57 of Heart & Hope

Breathe out.

“Let me guess, you’re running through your list of rules right now?” Addy says.

I groan and blow out a breath. “Stop knowing me so well. It’s rude.”

“There are worse things than finding the other half of your soul, babes.”

“Shut up. Now I really do need that expensive wine.”

“Let’s go home and figure this out. We can grab the most extravagant bottle they have at the drive-through on the walk home.”

“Fine.”

Addy crooks her arm and waits by me as I peel myself away from the building. My belly coils with butterflies taking flight. Iswear they are on fire, their little wings singeing to ash as they fling around my stomach at the sight of a crooked arm.

Another reminder of what is strung between Reed and me.

Chapter Thirteen

REED

Saying goodbye to Ruby by Mack’s truck was pure torture. I finally drummed up the courage to kiss the most stunning girl in the world, the day before she leaves. A real kiss, not the fake version at the inn. Fucking idiot.

And she has been gone almost a fortnight, and I’m like a lost sheep. Working the ranch Harry’s way by day. Planning this working ranch resort by night. It’s exhausting. Rubes has been helping as much as she can by calls and text. We are always pinging each other’s phones. But I still miss her something fierce.

And I’m completely out of my depth.

But hell will freeze over before I mess up this holiday ranch concept. Something changed when Ruby believed in me. I changed. I started to dream about enjoying life. And I haven’t done that since high school.

I have a purpose. And the thought of hosting people and putting smiles on their faces, seeing them experience things out here for the first time. It’s so corny, but it lights me up.

Ugh, I hate myself in the best way possible right now.

Harry has mostly come around to the idea. I mean, what good businessman wouldn’t? Multiple income streams with one property. It’s a win-win.

Ma putters about the kitchen, getting the last of the food for our family Sunday lunch ready.

“Need a hand?” I offer. Mack is sitting at the bench, reading something on the tablet. Ma glances up from her work.

“Sure, my boy. If you can take the cutlery and plates out, please.”

Mack studies me, chewing on a stick of carrot as if it’s the most tasty fucking thing he’s ever eaten. Okay...

Huddo and Addy file through the door, carrying a cooler bag which I’m guessing has Addy’s now famous salad in it. It’s become something of a staple for Sunday lunches and doesn’t last long.

“Hey, Reed,” Addy says, slinging an arm around me. I tussle her hair and slam a fist into Hudson’s shoulder before picking up the cutlery and plates and heading outside. Hudson and Addy are hot on my heels. I wander over to the table under the willow and plonk the load onto the tablecloth. Charlie wanders by the tree. That mutt has it bad for Addy—it’s hilarious.

When Harry rides in from the southern paddock, it’s time to eat. Ten minutes later, we are seated at the table, waiting for the parentals to come out with the meat. Ma sits to my left, and I give her the side-eye. Not her usual spot. Hudson, Addy, and Mack sit across from us, and finally Harry drops into his seat at the head.

We say a quick grace, but before I can shovel food onto my plate, Ma grabs my hand.

“No, there’s one more person to come.”

I survey the table. Who’s left?

Tires on the gravel driveway snap my head to the right of the homestead. Nobody at the table moves. I pick up my fork and trace patterns on the old, weathered wood. Killing time.

“Hey, sorry I’m late.”

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