Page 65 of Huckleberry Hill
“Oh. Yeah, I can do that. Thanks, Wade.”
He set the card down onto the kitchen table and then put his wallet back into his pocket. “So what’s going on with you and Declan?”
I choked on my iced tea. “Going on with Declan? Nothing.”
He cocked his head to the side and studied me. “Something’s going on there.”
“Nothing is going on there,” I assured him. “He works for my dad. He’s a friend. That’s all.”
Wade suddenly smiled. “Good.”
“Good? Why is that good?”
“I know your engagement just ended,” he said, running a hand through his dark hair. “So I don’t want to pressure you into anything. But I was wondering if you want to have dinner. With me.”
“Dinner,” I repeated slowly. “With you.”
The front door opened, and someone tromped through the house into the kitchen.
“Wade,” Muddy said in surprise.
“Hey, Muddy.” Wade smiled.
She looked at me and then back to Wade. “You staying for lunch?”
Wade shook his head. “I gotta get going.” He glanced at me. “Call you later?”
I nodded absently.
Wade walked from the kitchen and after a moment, the front door opened and shut.
“What was he doing here?” Muddy asked.
“He came to return Declan’s credit card,” I said, gesturing with my chin to the table. “And to ask me to dinner.”
“Declan left his card at the bar last night?” Muddy asked slowly. “The bar you were at last night? The one where you said you didn’t see him?”
“Muddy,” I warned.
“Well, it looks like you have two fine options in helping you get over Gianni.”
I rolled my eyes. “How’s Mirabelle?”
“Restless,” she said. “Your father’s right. She’s going to foal any day now.” Muddy picked up Declan’s credit card. “He’s out in the barn now, so you can go return this to him.”
I took the credit card. “Playing matchmaker, are you?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Muddy said, hazel eyes twinkling.
“Salem and I might be twins, but she’s cut from the same cloth as you,” I said with a laugh.
Muddy patted my cheek as I passed by her.
I walked to the barn, my heart hammering in my ears. Declan was setting up a cot in the empty stall across from Mirabelle.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
Declan slid a pillow into a pillowcase. “Mirabelle’s gonna foal soon, so I’ll be sleeping in the barn until she does.”
