Page 21 of Huckleberry Hill

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“Will do,” she said. “So, what’s your plan while you’re home?”

“Ride, spend time with my grandmother and father. Other than that, not much.”

Lick my wounds while trying not to lick Declan.

My spine snapped straight, and I forced that unwelcome thought out of my head.

“Well, you can’t head back to New York before the mushroom festival,” Gracie said.

“We’ll see.”

I didn’t want to commit to anything long-term. I’d had enough long-term to last me a while.

“So, tell me . . . how great is married life?” I asked.

“You think I’m going to talk about how happily married I am when you just ended an engagement?”

“I want you to,” I pressed. “I need to remember that there are people who get their happily-ever-afters.”

“If you insist, but I’m not bragging or anything,” she said with a grin.

“You can brag a little,” I said with a laugh.

She pulled out her cell phone. “We’re great, actually. I caught Bella napping on Cole the other day and I got a picture.”

Gracie swiped through her phone and then turned the screen to me. Her one-year-old daughter was asleep on her husband’s chest.

A pang shot through my heart.

“Adorable,” I croaked.

Gracie looked up at me, her gaze shrewd. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” Emotion tightened my throat. “Just a reminder that I won’t have that with Gianni.”

“Shit, I’m sorry. I told you I didn’t want to talk about this.”

“No, don’t do that,” I stated. “I’m happy you’re happy. You’ve had enough shit happen to you.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “Plenty of shit in this world. And we all go through it, don’t we?”

“Yeah, we do.” I sighed and looked at my phone, noting the time. “I better get home. Box me up your favorite pastries, will ya?”

Chapter Five

The Ranch

* * *

I set the box of pastries on the kitchen table and then stripped off my coat. I stood there for a moment, unmoving.

The front door opened and Muddy walked in.

“You’re back,” she said unnecessarily.

I nodded. “I brought pastries.”

“You look like you’re asleep where you’re standing,” she commented. “Seriously, Hadley. Take a nap. An hour at least.”

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