He hesitated, his jaw tightening the way it always did when he was trying to decide how much truth to hand over. But finally, he just let out a long sigh and brought those piercing hazel eyes to mine.
“I’ve been talking to Nate, Trent. Are you aware of what’s happening in Chicago right now?”
CHAPTER 37
CHARLOTTE
My whole body unclenched the second I saw Jameson and Sadie pull up outside and climb out of their car. Finally, people I could talk to without fear of being signed up for a charity luncheon, baking contest, or cattle-themed fundraiser.
Sadie beamed when she saw me, her arms full of diaper bags, toddler sneakers, and a baby carrier. “Charlotte, thank God. I only just got here, but if I have to listen to one more woman try to tell me about her award-winning brisket recipe, I was going to fake my own death and that was just what I got on my way in.”
I laughed, stepping closer for a hug. “I’m counting five people right now who’ve offered to teach me their signature casseroles so far.”
“Oh honey,” she said with pity that was almost affectionate. “You’re fresh meat. They’re frothing.”
“At least they smell nice,” I whispered, seeing three of them watching us with hawk-like interest.
“That’s because they wear perfume like armor,” Sadie murmured through a clenched smile. “Never let them spritz you. Whatever it is, it doesnotcome off.”
I laughed, but before I could reply, I realized that Trent and Jameson were gone. Just… vanished. A minute ago, I’d seenthem talking at Jameson’s car, but they weren’t there anymore and they hadn’t come inside either.
I groaned. “Do men think disappearing is some universal hobby?”
Sadie snorted. “Yes, but give them a minute. I know Trent and Alex are close now too, but Jameson is the OG. They’re probably doing some secret handshake in a corner somewhere.”
I snorted into my drink trying to hold back my laughter. “I’d pay money to see that. Good money.”
She winked at me. “All these houses have security cameras. Ours in California, yours in Chicago, even these here on the ranch. We’ll catch them in the act eventuallyandwe’ll have video footage.”
Together, we drifted toward the quieter side of the room. As we went, Sadie introduced me to a couple of women she said Ishould know, and each introduction was like a strange, glittering ritual involving air-kisses, perfect posture, and practiced smiles. I nodded, made polite conversation, endured three comments about my ring, and one not-so-subtle nudge aboutkeeping the Shepard boy in line.
Sadie tugged me away again, sighing dramatically when I tensed up, ready to defend him with everything I had. It wasn’thisfault Savannah had steppedout of linein the first place. Even though I was thankful she had, because her loss had definitely become my gain, it didn’t feel like something they should be judginghimfor.
“Okay, enough,” Sadie murmured. “If I don’t get you out of here, they’ll have you chairing the Christmas gala by tomorrow. Either that, or you’ll be in prison for assault.”
I exhaled in relief. “Thank you. Although Trent would never let me chair a gala if I didn’t want to. He won’t let me get bullied into things.”
Sadie’s eyebrows arched. “Do you even know how many times you’ve brought him up in the last five minutes?”
A flush crawled up my neck. “Not that many.”
“Sweetheart.” She gave me a look that was so knowing, it made me want to douse my face in my alcoholic lemonade. “Don’t worry. It’s cute.”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“It’s still cute.”
I groaned. “I can’t help it. Everything is just so new and exciting.”
She hooked her arm through mine. “I was the same way when Jameson first came back into the picture. Harlan had just told him that he had to get married and my parents had cut me off. It was a mess, but I was still so obsessed with him that I didn’t really care about much else.”
I laughed, some of the tension easing out of my shoulders. “God, I forgot how weird our families are.”
“Worse now that they get along,” Sadie said dryly. “I swear, my mom talks to CC on a near daily basis. Those two have more pictures of my kids than I do.”
We wandered toward the windows where there were less people jammed together. The more we chatted about family and marriages, however, the more tempted I was to ask the question that had been sitting like a stone in my stomach.
Eventually, I decided to just do it. I wanted to get over this. But somewhere deep inside, lodged between my heart and my ribs, was a fear I hadn’t been able to shake so far. I just needed to know if it was justified.
