Page 9 of Heart & Hope

Almost.

It’s kind of beautiful out here. Something I didn’t expect at all.

My phone vibrates as another bar of service appears and my emails flood in. I skim through them, hunting for Olive.

Nothing. Nada.

I swear, if she is ghosting me to teach me some sort of left-field old wives’ wisdom. Ugh! Alright already, I get it.

You think I’m a lone wolf.

But I’m happy, honestly.

Boots appear at my feet. Scrubs.

Addy.

I fly up from the step, wrapping her in a hug. “Damn, have I missed you, girl.”

She chuckles. “You have no idea. Please tell me you’re staying the weekend?”

“Of course; as long as you need me. My office is right here.” I wave my phone at her, and she steps around me, opening the door. I file inside.

Oh, this is just . . .

The elegant, spacious townhouse is farmhouse style, and so gorgeous. “Wow, Adds, all this for one girl. Geez, I should have been a vet.”

“Ha! You would be fine until there was blood or poop, Rubes.”

“Ugh, you can keep it. I’ll visit lots and soak up the country living and wide-open spaces.”

“Speaking of wide-open spaces, I have visits tomorrow for some of my equine clients, and then I’m off to Rosewood Ranch for another riding lesson.”

“Oh, yes, how is that going? Come here and tell me.” I flop on the couch and pat the seat beside me. Addy rolls her eyes at me, but it’s playful. I want to know it all. Every detail I missed while we have been apart. It has been like having half of my heart missing. She is closer to me than any of my actual sisters. And I have missed her so much.

We talk about her riding, her asshat of a boss, and everything concerning Hudson. He sounds amazing. Any man who can give back that huge part of her life that she lost is a literal god in my opinion. I can’t wait to meet him and his family. They sound incredible.

When the conversation lulls a little, I lean on the sofa and sigh.

“What is it, Rubes?”

“Am I self-absorbed, Adds?”

“Not at all! Who said that?”

“No one, really. I kind of got the impression that’s what they meant.”

“Olive?”

“Amongst others.”

“Well, this is how I see it. You are driven and focused. You have rules and you follow them. Especially number three.”

“Hard work, all the way. No hoping or praying.”

“Yeah, that one.”

She shifts forward and wraps both hands around her almost empty wine glass. “But Rubes, what do you do for yourself?”

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