Page 5 of Second Chance at Mountain Creek Ranch
“Harper,” Willow scolds. “Travis always has Thursday night dinner with us.”
Embarrassment floods me from being chastised by my younger sister in front of him. He gives Willow a shy smile and heads into the dining room and takes a seat without a word to me.
“What is the matter with you?” Willow hisses at me.
“There’s nothing the matter with me. I’m not the one that’s flirting with my ex-boyfriend.” The words are out of my mouth before I have a chance to check myself.
The shock on Willow’s face should have been the first clue that this meal wasn’t going to go well. But like I said, my brain is not in control. I fill the large bowl with the noodles and walk it out to the dining room table.
“Where is everyone?” I ask, looking around at the nearly empty table.
Thursday night dinners are an important night in the Holloway household. Growing up with six kids, everyone had their own busy schedules, but for some reason, Thursday was the one night that we were all home in the evening. It became a tradition that we were all expected home for dinner no matter what. I guess that wasn't the case anymore.
Jameson doesn’t look up from his phone when he says, “Vannah’s in Grand Junction for the Miss River City pageant.”
“Nash and the girls?” I ask, only realizing just now how quiet the house has been without my two nieces running around.
“He took them to Boulder to help Eden pack up," Jameson says.
“Who’s Eden?”
“My friend,” says Willow as she walks in with the dish filled with sauce.
“His girlfriend,” Landon adds.
How had I missed so much? I guess it comes with the territory that life goes on, whether you know about it or not, when you move across the state away from your family. I don't like how detached I feel from my family. Travis catches my gaze, and he's looking at me like he knows what I'm thinking. And it's entirely possible he does. He always had a knack for seeing through my defenses to the real me.
I slump in one of the only two seats left. I can't sit next to Travis, although directly across from him isn't much better either. Willow slips into the empty seat next to him, and she smiles at him. The jealously surging inside tells me to dump the bowl of sauce on her head, but for once, my brain wins the battle, and Willow lives to see another day sauce free.
I can only pick at my food, as everyone talks around me as we eat. My mind is busy thinking about my meeting in town tomorrow and trying not to think about how close Willow is sitting next to Travis.
“I need to borrow the truck tomorrow afternoon. I have to go into town.” I blurt out, remembering my car is no longer alive and kicking to take me anywhere.
“What for?” Landon asks around a mouthful of garlic knot.
I not ready to tell my family what’s going on yet. Not until I know for sure what is going to happen. There’s no sense in worrying them over nothing. But I think that last part is just wishful thinking on my part.
“I have business I need to attend to.”
"Oh business, look at me, Miss MBA over here and herbusiness.” Jameson teases. Everyone at the table laughs, except Travis.
He’s giving me that knowing look like he knows I’m hiding something. I try not to fidget under his stare.
"Can I have the truck or not?" I ask, annoyed.
"Can't. I need it for a supply run," Jameson says, taking a large forkful of noodles.
“Travis could probably take you. He’s going into town tomorrow afternoon,” Willow offers.
How does she know what his plans are? I look at Travis. He looks at Willow. It's obvious he doesn't want to take me any more than I want him to drive me. She places her hand on his arm.
“You wouldn’t mind taking her, would you?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Oh no, I—”
“I can take you,” Travis cuts me off.
“Perfect.” Willow smiles.
