Page 14 of Huckleberry Hill
I didn’t know how to respond to her, but I didn’t have to. The front door opened, and Dad came inside and retook his seat.
“What did I miss?” Dad asked.
“Nothing,” Muddy said. “What did you say to Declan?”
“I told him if he didn’t want to be gelded, then he needs to stay far away from Hadley.”
“Dad,” I groaned. “You’re so embarrassing.”
He pointed his fork at me. The end of it was covered in gravy-drenched biscuit. “I don’t care that you’re a grown woman or that you can make your own decisions. Declan is a wrangler on this ranch first and foremost, and he will not be wrangling you.”
“Can we please talk about something else?”
“Why did you and Gianni break up?” Dad finally asked.
“Because we realized we wanted different things,” I said. It wasn’t the whole truth, but it was close enough that hopefully my family wouldn’t ask any more questions.
“Sorry, honey,” Dad murmured.
“Thanks. I’m moving forward. Can we not talk about it anymore?”
“We’ve barely talked about it at all,” Muddy said.
I looked at her.
“Fine, your prerogative,” she said.
“Why didn’t Salem come home with you?” Dad demanded.
“Because Salem has to work,” I replied. “She can’t just take a month off to come home.”
“No, maybe not,” Dad allowed. “But she could’ve spared a few days, don’t you think?”
“She’s up for a big promotion,” I said. “She’s keeping her nose to the grindstone.”
“Good for her,” Muddy said. “It’s taken her a while to find something she loves and wants to pursue. We should all be supportive of that. Shouldn’t we, Connor?”
My father grunted.
“She’ll be home for Christmas,” I said.
“That’s nearly ten months away,” Dad groused. “You’re staying the full month you were supposed to be in Italy, right? You’re not thinking of running back to New York in a week, are you?”
“I’m staying the month,” I assured him. “The restaurant is closed for renovations. And I talked to my boss at the stables and he took me off rotation for a while. So, I’m free as a bird.”
My phone buzzed with a text from Poet in our group chat. It was quickly followed by Wyn.
I turned my phone over so I couldn’t see the screen constantly lighting up.
“I’ll take your suitcase upstairs,” Dad said. “And put it in your room.”
“Thanks.” I rose from the table and grabbed my plate. I leaned down and brushed a kiss to my grandmother’s cheek. “Thanks for breakfast. Leave the dishes. I’ll do them for you later.”
“You look exhausted,” Muddy said. “You should take a nap.”
“Nah. If I nap, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.” I went into the kitchen and set my plate in the sink.
Dad went to the front room and lifted my suitcase. I followed him up the stairs, stopping off at the linen closet and grabbing a set of clean sheets.
