Page 45 of Huckleberry Hill
“That, I can do.” Muddy fixed me a stiff drink and brought it to me and ran a soothing hand across my back. “A little out of practice working the ranch, huh?”
“It’s like riding a horse,” I quipped. “Literally. It’s a good sore. I miss it.”
She returned to the stove, her back to me. “Saw you out riding with Declan.”
“Yeah. I didn’t want to be out alone with the bear, you know?”
Muddy made a non-committal noise.
“What’s that mean?” I demanded.
“It means nothing.”
“Liar.” I laughed. “You have an opinion about everything.”
“The last time I gave you my opinion, you walked out of the dining room.”
“Well, I promise I won’t leave the room if you speak your mind. I can hardly move anyway, so I’m kind of my own hostage.”
Muddy didn’t say anything for a moment and then she said, “Why didn’t you ask your father to go riding with you?”
“Didn’t think about it.”
“Hadley.”
“Muddy.”
“You like him.”
“Yeah, I like him.”
“No, I mean you like him.”
“I’m not ready to like anyone,” I stated. “I’m still getting over my engagement ending.”
“Are you?”
“Yes.”
I frowned even though she wasn’t looking at me. “Declan and I are friends. Friends ride horses. Friends talk.”
“What do you talk about?”
“Stuff.”
“Stuff?”
“Yeah, stuff. I told him about New York and what I was doing there.”
“And?”
“What do you mean, and? That’s all.”
“He really listens,” Muddy murmured. “Declan, I mean. He listens when you talk.”
“Yes,” I admitted. “He does. Is dinner going to be ready soon?”
“A few more minutes.”
