Elena raises her beer. “He sure did.”
“And?”
“And I forgave him…it took a minute, but I love the asshole so….” Elena gives out an elaborate sigh, but she’s smiling softly as she looks at her wedding ring that rests on a gold chain against her T-shirt.
“Mav said I was masculine and unattractive,” Aria chimes in brightly. “And he called me a lot of other…unflattering things.”
I can’t believe it. They’re so in love with their men, and both Duke and Mav literally kiss the ground they walk on.
“But then he saved my ranch—and me—more than once. Proved over and over that I could trust him and…voilà!” She wiggles her ring finger, showing off the insanely large rock on it.
I narrow my eyes and frown. “So…what y’all are sayin’ is that men are shit and we gotta forgive them?”
Bailey, the bartender, leans over the bar, her palms resting on the counter. “Menareshit…but if they know it and admit it and do better…thenyou can forgive them.” She waves a hand at Aria’s hand. “It helps if they give you a gazillion-carat monstrosity.”
Joy rolls her eyes. “And what do you know about men in relationships?”
“Just ‘cause I’m a lesbian don’t mean I don’t understand humansor…diamonds,” Bailey replies smugly.
We all laugh.
Joy takes a sip of her Manhattan. “Do you love Cade?”
“It’s not that simple,” I protest.
“Hell no!” Elena agrees. “Love is the easy part. It’s trust that’s hard.”
“I had the worst family”—a forlorn look enters Aria’s eyes—“and they’re all gone. Mav and Joy are my family now. Believing that they won’t turn on me when everyone, even my father did, my sister did…took some doing. And Mav did everything he could do to show me that he’ll be there rain or shine—and still keeps showin’ me.”
I know some of Aria’s story—but until she spoke now, I didn’t realize how similar her experiences are to mine. My father betrayed me. Cade, whom I all but grew upwith, did as well. So did Landon. I am low on trust. This is why I don’t have friends. No relationships. Until Joy barreled her way into my life, I don’t think I ever allowed anyone in.
“I love Cade,” I say softly. “I’ve only loved him. I don’t think I can love anyone as much as I love him. But he let me down—hurt me in a way that I’m still healing from.”
“Let him show you if he’s a man who can be your partner,” Elena advises. “If he succeeds, you’ll be with a man you love, who loves you, and wants to make you happy. If not…you’ll keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Which is?”
Elena winks at me. “Being a badass vet.”
As I drive to Blue Rock, I think about my conversation with the women who have become my friends. It’s incredible to have such support, and I’m grateful for it.
I park the truck in front of the house. Cade’s out with Evie, looking at a new Angus he’s thinking of buying once the insurance claim for Ranger comes through. Evie tagged along.
We’re like a family, I think—and the thought unsettles me with its sweetness. They’re gone for the evening, so I made plans with friends. It feels frighteningly domestic.
I climb out of the truck. Instantly, unease hits me hard. The night air tastes metallic, sharp as iron.
Bandit paces the porch, hackles bristling, low growls rumbling in his chest. My pulse kicks. He sees me andbolts off the steps, barking, circling me like he’s herding me to safety.
Something’s wrong. I can feel it in my bones, like the pressure before a storm.
The floodlights are off, I notice. Lately, we’ve been turning them on every night. Cade’s been double-checking locks since the fire.
But someone’s out here. I know it.
I grab the flashlight from my truck.
“Come on, Bandit, let’s turn the lights on.”
