Page 136 of Huckleberry Hill
“You get on upstairs and shower. You’ve got sex-hair.” She winked.
“Muddy!” My hand went to my head, and I laughed. “Are you going to tell Dad where you hid the shotgun?
“Hmm. Let’s give it a few days.”
Chapter Thirty-One
The Ranch
* * *
Breakfast started off super awkward. Muddy and I tried to fill the silence with inane chatter. Declan sat next to me, and he placed his hand on my thigh, which instantly calmed me.
I looked at Dad, who was watching me and Declan like bugs under a microscope. I straightened my spine and raised my brows. He sighed and went back to eating his bacon.
“So why did you come back early?” I asked.
“I saw all I needed to see. I purchased what I wanted to purchase,” he said. “Henry and Josiah are loading up the livestock and coming home.”
“You drove home by yourself?” I asked. “All alone?”
Dad narrowed his gaze. “What does that mean?”
“It means, I’m wondering if your special lady friend came with you,” I said with a wide smile.
“Lady friend?”
“Give it up, Dad.” I rolled my eyes. “I know you’re seeing someone.”
Dad’s gaze went to Declan. “You told her.”
“Told her,” I repeated, my gaze bouncing from Dad to Declan. “You knew?”
“Guess he didn’t tell her,” Muddy said, picking up her cup of coffee. “For the record, I didn’t tell her anything either. But she’s a smart cookie, and if you ever wonder where she gets the bad lying gene from, well that’s all you.”
“I’m still stuck on the fact that Declan knew Dad was dating someone.” I looked again at the man sitting next to me. “Oh, I remember now.”
“Remember what?” Declan asked, his expression tight.
“I asked you about it days ago and we never picked up the thread of conversation again. You distracted me.”
My dad made a noise.
“I didn’t want to betray his confidence,” Declan said finally.
“How’d you find out?” Muddy asked Declan.
“He saw me kissing her in the barn.” Dad rubbed the back of his neck.
“Well, well, well, now whose turn is it to explain?” I demanded. I glanced at Declan. “I’ll deal with you later.”
“Looking forward to it,” he said lightly.
“I get that I have to accept this relationship,” Dad stated tightly. “But can you try not to flirt with each other in my presence?”
“We’ll try and tone it down,” I said.
“Thank you.”
