Page 38 of Under the Influence

“Can you keep a secret from even Pa?”

Journey nods immediately. “If it’s important enough, he’ll understand why I didn’t share. And I know he’ll know the truth soon. For now, I promise to keep your secret.”

Glancing around, I’m certain we’re being watched. My behavior is dumb. Keeping secrets has turned me paranoid.

Ma-Journey senses my worries and explains, “No one’s home. Your pa is out riding with your uncles. Ike and Otto are working with Jared at the garage. Betty is with her friend. No one is here except you and me.”

Despite her words, I’m afraid to fess up with Ma-Journey today. Having put my virginity on a pedestal, I’m already nervous about sharing my body with Duke. Now facing my ma’s possible disapproval, I’m teetering close to losing control and going Earlham all over this room.

“Who is this man?” Ma-Journey pushes.

“Promise again,” I insist.

My ma flashes me a wary look as if I’m about to dump something horrible on her and she ought to call in backup for an intervention.

“I give you my word as Journey Earlham Sheerer Mooney. If that’s not good enough, I don’t know what is.”

Feeling scolded by her tone, I lose my voice. My ma cradles my hand, filling me with the comfort only she can provide.

“I met him at the engagement party,” I mumble while holding her gaze.

My ma doesn’t react in shock at the thought of me sneaking around with a member of the Blood-Red Suns. I feel her mentally working her way through a list of the men at the homestead that day. Eventually, her eyes widen slightly, and her hand tightens around mine.

“Duke McGraw,” she whispers and looks around despite her assurances that no one was at the house.

“I’m in love with Duke,” I admit, instantly feeling a burden rise from my shoulders. “We’ve only been on a few dates, but I’m crazy about him.”

“Is he the one telling you to keep things quiet?”

“He doesn’t want to ruin Lola’s special time. He didn’t realize she had feelings for Val. He thought it was all a business deal for them. Now he wants her to have the attention on her.”

“Well, he isn’t wrong about how people might lose interest in the wedding if they know about you and Duke. Your father won’t be sure what to think.”

“I’m afraid the drama will ruin this thing we have,” I say, crying now. “I worry Duke and I are doomed, but I also can’t walk away. He makes me crazy in the best way. I want him to be mine.”

“Is he sweet to you?” Ma-Journey asks, confused by my tears.

“Yes, and he’s sexy and smart. I try to be rational about Duke, but I can’t shake how he makes me feel.”

After a few seconds of scowling, Ma-Journey states, “I don’t like you hiding this.”

“But Lola and Val.”

My ma rolls her eyes. “Val was bragging to Poppy that his love for Lola has broken some thousand-year-old witch’s curse on the McGraw family. If he finds out about Duke and you, Val will just claim credit for your happiness and want a double wedding.”

“Probably, but telling everyone right now feels like too much pressure.”

“For you or Duke?”

“Both, but mostly him.”

“I don’t care about his pressure. My only concern is my family.”

“But I do care. He’s the man I love.”

My ma scans the room while twisting her lips into a frown. “He’s older than you by a decade or more.”

“He’s forty-two. That’s not so much older.”

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