Cora
“You’renotquitting,areyou?” Tate Thatcher, the ranch’s foreman and partial owner, asks, his eyes widening in what I can only describe as panic.
I’d managed to corner him at lunchtime in the main cafeteria. As much as I don’t necessarily want to give up my cabin onsite, I can’t just hog it while I live somewhere else, so I had to let Tate know it was up for grabs again. Besides, for all intents and purposes, Theo and I are married and doing what married couples do—including living together. So I guess it’s bye-bye cabin for now.
“No, no,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “The opposite, actually.”
Tate shoots me a quizzical look.
“I mean, not exactly the opposite. What I mean, is I’m going to become a US citizen because …”Just spit it out, Cora. It’s not going to get easier the longer you wait. “Theo and I got married.”
The information takes its sweet time settling into my boss’s brain. At first, his expression doesn’t change, then his eyes widen ever so slightly, he cocks his head in disbelief, and then he’s grinning like I’d just told him he won the lottery.
“No way,” he says, his grin stretching wider. “You two finally …” he trails off, shaking his head. “Married, wow. That was fast.” He’s nodding now, his eyes still wide.
I smile too, but it’s forced. Not because I don’t like Tate—everyone on the ranch adores him—but because I’m still not used to how weird this whole thing is. And how it’s just going to stay weird. Also, what did he mean byfinally?
“I’m just glad you’re not leaving. You’re one of the best vets we’ve ever had. Seriously. Replacing you would be the worst.”
My heart warms at his words. “Trust me. I’m not going anywhere,” I promise.
“Well, I’ll see if anyone wants the cabin, but no rush on getting your stuff out,” Tate promises.
A flash of movement catches my eye, and I turn to see Addison beelining toward me across the cafeteria. Shit. I can already tell she’s mad. I’d try to hide behind Tate, but he’s already moving away.
“Coraaaaaaa,” Addison says as she approaches, stopping in front of me with hands on her hips. “Cruz has informed me that you’re a married woman. And not just any married woman. A woman married toTheo.” Her eyes widen in emphasis. Sure, she’s angry, but not really. More like shocked.
I bite my lip through a smile and shrug guiltily. “Yeah …”
She doubles down on her incredulous look. “And why am I finding out after the fact?” She waves her arms in the air—and then suddenly, her grin drops. “You’re not … oh my god, Cora, are you pregnant?”
“No!” I say quickly. “God, no. It just … happened?” I say, trying to think up a story that sounds convincing.
“How long did you even date? Sure, I knew Theo liked you, but I never knew you liked him back.”
My mind skitters over her comment but quicky brushes it off. Lots of people mistake co-ed friendships for something more from the outside. “It was kind of a whirlwind thing,” I admit. “And we just … got married. I mean, we’ve known each other for years, so it’s not like there’s more to learn about each other. And when you know, you know.”
Addison grins, reaching out to lightly smack my arm. “Okay. I’m a little mad not to get an invite to yourwedding, but oh my god, Cora, you and Theo are perfect together.” She steps forward, pulling me into a hug. “I’m so happy for you,” she murmurs.
I hug her back, guilt sweeping through my stomach—both at my lie and at not including her in the lie. But I grit my teeth and force myself to play the part. “We’re really excited about it,” I say as we pull back from the hug.
Addison’s eyes widen ever so slightly. “We can go onrealdouble dates now!” she exclaims.
Dread washes over me as I smile and nod. Perfect. Exactly what we need. Third and fourth wheeling with Addison and Cruz while acting like we’re not. Without a shadow of a doubt it will involve hugging and hand holding and … kissing. Like that kiss yesterday at our wedding that just about made my knees go weak.
Yeah, this won’t be a problem at all.
By the time I’m heading home, the sun is already setting behind the distant mountains, casting Cedar Ridge in long, dark shadows. My stomach rumbles, and my limbs ache. I’d had to skip the dinner hour at the ranch because of another calf birth, and while I’m riding on the small high I always get after successfully delivering an animal, I’m starving.
And I stink.
I squint against the oncoming darkness, peering out my windshield. Which one is Theo’s house again? Everything looks so different in the dark. I almost pull up the wrong driveway until I remember that his is the house with the light blue trim, and I eventually find my way there.
I park in the driveway and numbly hop out and head inside, the weight of the day settling over me. I want nothing more than a hot shower and some food. Vegging out on Theo’s large, plush couch watching TV doesn’t sound too bad either.
I slip off my boots at the door and then trudge up the stairs. I yawn as I reach the hallway, my eyes closing momentarily. I reach for the handle on the bathroom door, but just before my fingers brush the brass, the door swings open, and standing before me is a half-naked Theo, inches from colliding.
He stops short, eyes wide, mouth parted slightly in shock as he stares down at me.
