Nate raised an eyebrow. “Well, there’s a surprise. And boyfriend? I thought it wasn’t serious.”
“It wasn’t.” My mouth went dry, even when I took another swig of cold beer. “Things change.”
Things might change again when I told Wilder. There was a chance he would hate me for lying to him, especially after keeping Declan a secret. There was also a chance I would lose him because of it. The thought of it petrified me.
“Where’s the cranberry sauce?” Nate asked, his eyes scouring the table.
“I'll get it,” I said, standing up. As I did, my phone beeped in my pocket and my heart skipped, hoping it was Wilder.
I pulled out my phone and froze.
Unknown Number
You think you're so clever, fucking the boss, don't you. Make the most of it because soon I'll make sure you lose everything.
The words hit me like a physical blow. My hands started shaking so badly I fumbled the phone, watching it clatter to the floor.
“Talls?” Liam's chair screeched against the tiles as he shot to his feet. “What's wrong?”
I stared down at the phone, my heart hammering. Declan. It had to be Declan.
“I'm fine,” I managed, my voice sounding strange even to my own ears. “Just... just dropped my phone.”
But as I bent to pick it up, my knees felt weak. Another secret to add to my growing list.
Chapter 36
Never Let Her Slip Away – Andrew Gold
Wilder
I’d been up and about since before dawn broke. I hated lying in Tally’s bed without her there. It didn’t feel right. Like when you went to a wedding party and the bride and groom left early. It kinda felt pointless.
Walking back to the main house, mug of coffee in my hand, my mood lifted a little. That was what our land did to you. The quilt of emerald fields and soft lavender rolled toward the horizon like something out of a dream. Stretching wide and quiet. The scent of the earth and the mountain air curled into my chest like a breath I didn’t know I needed. It calmed me. It got intomy bones and settled me, reminding me that my peace came from my home. My home and my woman.
The house was already a buzz of activity when I walked through the door. The clatter of pans and bursts of laughter. The warm aroma of sage and cinnamon clung to the air like a comforting quilt as Lily and Cassidy prepped the turkey and vegetables while Gunner made Mom’s pumpkin pie, peering at the recipe like it held the answer to everything.
“What can I do?” I asked, leaning against the door frame.
“Hey, sweetie.” Lily grinned at me. “Sleep well?”
“Eventually.”
“Aww is the little pussy missing his girl?”
“Fuck off, Gunner.” Drinking back the last of my coffee I went over to him and scooped a finger through the filling he was making. “And for your information, yeah I am.” Pouting like a toddler, I took my mug to sink and washed it. “Okay ladies, put me to work.”
“Potatoes?” Cassidy suggested.
“No problem. Where’s Nash by the way?”
“He’s checking in with the guys who are working today.” Lily opened the oven and put the biggest turkey I’d ever seen inside. “Ruby made them all dinner last night so hopefully they won’t feel like they missed out on the holiday.” She nudged me. “You heard from Tally this morning.”
Instinctively I pulled my phone from my pocket and looked at the screen, even though I knew there would be no message.
And then…is it called manifestation? Well, it looked like it worked.
Tally
