Page 108 of Lavender Lake
“She probably thought she was doing the right thing.”
“Declan told me Cas isn’t a family man.”
“And what do you think?”
“I think I drove away the only man who truly understands me. And doesn’t hold my flaws against me.” I sighed. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
“I’m guessing he didn’t either.” She smirked.
“He’s going to leave,” I pointed out. “He’s on the rodeo circuit.”
“Yes.”
“And I live in New York.”
“Uh huh.”
“How would that even work?”
“No idea.”
“Muddy,” I snapped. “You’re supposed to be full of wisdom and knowing.”
“I am,” she said. “But you’reyou. Andyouhave to figure things out for yourself. All I can do is guide.”
“And matchmake,” I drawled.
“And matchmake,” she agreed.
I bit my lip as I pondered where we were supposed to go from here.
“You haven’t told Hadley, have you?” Muddy asked.
I shook my head. “I wasn’t sure what to tell her. And I don’t want . . .”
“What?”
“I don’t want to steal her thunder, you know? I have big moments, big emotions. But she’s getting married. It needs to be all about her. I don’t want to cause any drama.”
“Huh,” she picked up her mug again. “Way to have some self-awareness, sugar. I call that character growth.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The Ranch
“Oh!” Jane exclaimed as she stood in the doorway of Hadley’s and my bathroom. “Sorry! I didn’t know you were in here. I didn’t want to wake Connor, so I thought I’d use this bathroom. And with Bowman gone . . .”
I had a toothbrush shoved in the side of my mouth. My eyes were bleary from my middle of the night chat with Muddy and overall lack of sleep.
“S’okay.” I spat in the sink and rinsed my mouth out. “I’m finished.” I turned to leave the bathroom.
“Salem, wait,” Jane said. “Can we talk?”
“Don’t you have to . . .” I gestured to the toilet.
She smiled, making her even more attractive. I understood why my father was smitten.
“Yeah. I do. But can we find a time to—to talk?”
