“I’ll drive you back,” Clayton offered. Before she could respond a car pulled into the driveway. Clayton squinted toward the headlights. “Who’s that?”
Jamie exhaled. “I had Ruth call a car.”
Gus stepped out and started loading her bags into the trunk. Charlotte clung to her hand, her small fingers gripping with all their might. “Please don’t go.”
Jamie swallowed the lump in her throat.
“I have to, girls.”
Even though she’d be back for Ruth’s party in two days, saying goodbye to them felt unbearable.
She knelt, wrapping her arms around them as they trembled against her ribs. Their love was so pure and unconditional that it left her breathless.
“You’re all set,” Gus said, shutting the trunk.
Jamie forced a smile. “Thanks, Gus.”
She stood, hesitating before finally releasing the girls’ hands.
Charlotte hung her head, swiping her sleeve across her nose. “I’ll miss you, Miss Jamie.”
Jamie touched her chin gently. “I’ll miss you more.”
“Let her be,” Clayton said softly, prying Charlotte away.
To Jamie’s surprise he pulled her into a hug. His breath warmed her ear as he whispered, “I’m going to miss you too.”
She nodded against his chest, unwilling to say more. If she did she might not leave at all. With one last look at the girls she stepped into the car, Poppy curled in her lap.
As they pulled away she watched through the rearview mirror until the ranch disappeared from view.
Finally, she let the tears fall.
CHAPTER 30
CLAYTON
Clayton stood in his kitchen, arms crossed, watching the clock as if it might suddenly tick backward. It didn’t. Each tick deepened his worry that Jamie might pack up and head back home if nothing changed soon, leaving him behind. He longed to rewind to just an hour ago, before she left the ranch.
Nolan walked in, grabbed an apple from the counter, and took a bite while eyeing Clayton. “You good?”
“Fine,” Clayton drawled, though even he wasn’t convinced.
“You don’t look fine,” Nolan observed, leaning against the counter. “You look like a man trying hard to convince himself he’s not miserable.”
“Why don’t you head on back to your own dang house? Ruth’s waiting on you,” Clayton shot back.
“Momma didn’t stock my fridge—she stocked yours.”
Clayton let out a heavy sigh. “Already miss her something fierce, Nolan.”
“Jamie?” Nolan raised an eyebrow.
“No, I’m talkin’ about the doggone Tooth Fairy,” Clayton snapped.
Nolan smirked. “All right, touchy. So she left, and now you’re just sulking?”
“I’m not sulking,” Clayton protested, though his tone betrayed him.
