Adam hated it here. It didn’t matter how nice the place, it was still a prison keeping him from Brooke.
Fourth of July.
His parents hadn’t come to visit in over a week. Today they were probably hobnobbing at some picnic, fair, or charity benefit. Maybe all three. He wouldn’t put it past his father to use this day and Adam’s hospitalization for everything he could squeeze out of them.
Was Brooke at home with her family?
Were they holding their annual event?
Was she thinking about him?
He was always thinking about her.
One year ago today was the day everything changed for him.
For her too, he guessed.
God, he wished he could be there with her. It would be perfect.
But he was stuck in this hell, desperate to get out and do what he needed to do.
He needed to be with her.
Soon.
He’d find a way.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Eight days after the chocolates and note incident, Brooke sat on the bench at the edge of the garden, staring at all the people who’d come for the Fourth of July party.
Last year’s picnic had been a much bigger event.
She couldn’t handle that many people at the ranch this year, so they’d kept the guest list small. Intimate.
Still, everything reminded her of how she’d spent time with Mindy Sue and all their friends, including Adam. More than likely, that time they spent together had sparked his obsession for her. Everything about this day and the picnic reminded her of him, how she’d thought she saw someone in her room that night.
It was him. Had to be.
The memories flooded her mind and threatened to send her over the edge.
This was why Cody had wanted to forego the party this year. She’d insisted they carry on tradition.
She didn’t want one more thing taken away from her.
She wanted to stand up to him in this small way and prove to herself that she was getting stronger.
She loved the parties Harland and now Cody threw at the ranch. She loved having their family and closest friends gathered together, even if it sparked whispers and sad looks.
Even though it overwhelmed her, she needed that right now.
Her anxiety had sent her to the outskirts of things a few minutes ago. She needed a minute to gather herself again. But she had a view of Cody standing at the bar with a group of their ranch hands. They smiled, joked, and laughed together. Cody seemed so at ease, just like he’d always been at these parties.
The perfect host. A great boss. Everyone loved him.
His gaze never strayed from hers too long. He wanted her to know he was there if she needed him.
She wanted to go over and join him, to be the woman he deserved by his side. But anxiety and fear held her back. Too many people all at once. She was afraid someone would come up behind her and send her into one of her panic attacks.
