Page 57 of New in Town

“So he’s off doing ranch things the next two days, right? What are you going to do with yourself?”

“You know, I did have a life before Grey,” she points out.

“Yeah, and you spent most of it with me,” Jules snorts.

She’s right. This is the longest they’ve been apart since meeting twenty years ago. “I miss you, J,” Maddie says as a knock sounds at her door. She carries the phone with her down the stairs, wondering who it could be. She doesn’t have to wonder for long. In the window in the door, a familiar head of strawberry blonde hair pops up, steely blue eyes dancing with mischief peer through the glass.

She throws the door open and lets out a squeal that echoes through both ends of the call.

“Ugh, I missed you too, Mads,” Jules replies, pulling her into a fierce hug.

“You’re here! How are you here?” The pair sway side to side, still locked in their embrace.

“I couldn’t let you have all the fun up here without me! I’ve been dying to see everything you’ve talked about. And it’s just been way too long since we had a girls’ night.”

Maddie leads her friend upstairs, flooded with joy having her in Sterling Ridge. Things already feel more tangible with her best friend’s presence.“Henry had good taste,” Jules notes, turning to admire the space.

“He’s beenfullof surprises.”

Jules spins back to Maddie at her comment. “Oh, spill.”

She reaches across the counter and opens the wooden lid, withdrawing a photograph and handing it over to Jules.

“That’s Henry,” she says, pointing to the image. “And that is Grey’s surrogate father,” she points at Floyd. “And thatis the previous ranch owner, the senior Hayes.”

“Whoa. I thought Henry was a rodeo guy.”

“He was,” Maddie starts, leaning against the counter. “And then when he couldn’t compete anymore, he became a wrangler apparently. Until he went back to run the local rodeo.”

“And they didn’t know you were a Wells when they offered you the job as their vet?”

“Grey says no. They all knew him as Welly, and I only ever called him Henry when talking to Grey. And my surname is Erickson.”

Jules nods, “That makes sense. How does it feel being around all of this?”

“Is it weird that it might feel nice?”

“I think that’s great, babe,” Jules replies, reaching out and giving her hand a squeeze.

“I didn’t have a plan when I moved here. Didn’t know what to expect or what I was even doing. And now that I’m here, it’s—all I know is that I like being here.”

“Then that’s all that matters. Now come on, show me around this town that’s stealing my girl.” They head out, looping their arms together and taking off up Main Street.

The town is showing off for Jules. Bright colors explode from the flowerpots dotting the store fronts, welcome banners with an image of a bronc rider hang from the lamp posts, and locals smile and greet Maddie by name.

“Theyknowyou. You just recognize the people you pass on the street here. And can we just talk about how cute the street is?”

Maddie grins proudly as she goes on about the town. But something Jules said gives her pause. She does know them, and they are happily greeting her.

It has been like that lately, a noticeable shift. Somewhere between the long days at the clinic and the date nights around town, she has become a local. With a routine, friends, and ties to her family, she has weaved herself into the lively tapestry of Sterling Ridge.

* * *

“Thank you,” Maddie says as the barista hands her a piping hot latte. They had made their way to West & Honey and with drinks in hand, they settle into the cozy leather club chairs against the white brick backdrop.

“Okay, so you love the town and want to stick around. What does that mean about the guy? The deal is technically up soon, right?” Jules asks with a raise of her eyebrows.

“Mmm,the guy. Yep, it’s up next week.”

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