Muddy shook her head again, more emphatic. “A fewmonths ago when you were in the hospital, I had everyone praying for you to be completely healed.”
“Wait, are you claiming that the power of prayer fused his vas deferens back together?” Salem asked. “That’s crazy.”
“Okay, this is devolving,” Hadley said. “And I agree with Brooks. We should not be talking about this at the dinner table.”
Salem volleyed a look at her father. “Well, Dad, you should probably set a wedding date.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The Ranch
I peered up at the clear night sky and snuggled deeper into the wool blanket around my shoulders. The scent of burning wood and the crackling of the fire pulled a sigh of relaxation from my lips.
“I will never get tired of this,” I said as the stars twinkled above.
“They’re just stars,” Salem said in amusement.
“You take a clear sky with no light pollution for granted because you grew up here,” I said. “For us city folk, this never gets old.”
“It never gets old for me either,” Hadley said. “And I could never be called city folk.”
“Yes, but I’m pretty sure that’s because the water from the river on this ranch runs through your veins,” Salem said to her twin.
“Very Scarlett O’Hara,” I said.
“In my next life, I want to come back looking like Vivien Leigh,” Salem said. “Icon.”
“Okay, you’re not changing the subject,” I warned. “We have things to discuss.”
Brooks, Cas, and Declan had, by unspoken unanimous agreement, left the three of us alone which meant we could speak freely without the presence of men.
“So many things,” Salem murmured. “Okay. Where should we start?”
“Uh, the fact that you got married on a whim,” I said. “Without me or Wyn there. Your dad ispissed.”
“And you? Are you pissed?” Salem asked, her eyes finding mine. She wore an oversized sweater, and I knew it was Cas’ because she turned her head and buried her nose in the collar, no doubt seeking the comfort of her husband even though he wasn’t present.
Hadley was silent as she watched our interplay. What could she say? She’d been at Salem’s wedding.
“Pissed? No,” I said truthfully. “Hurt. Feeling left out.”
“Poet,” she sighed.
“No, I get it. I get you, Salem. You don’t care about weddings or tradition. I respect that. I love that for you. But . . . I was last to find out you were pregnant, and I missed your wedding too. Lately, I just feel . . .” I swallowed. “That I don’t really belong anymore.”
“What?” Salem shot forward, leaning toward the fire. Flames gilded her red hair and carved shadows along her cheekbones. She looked like an ancient Celtic goddess. Fierce and strong.
“Poet,” Hadley said softly. “Of course you belong.”
“We’ve been begging you to move to Huckleberry Hill since you and Wyn first visited. How can you think you don’t belong?” Salem asked.
“It’s pregnancies and weddings, but it’s also the little things. Things that feel like really big things,” I said.
“Explain,” Salem demanded.
“I’m trying to.” I bit my lip. “You two are twins. That’s always been who you are. But now you’re twins with husbands and babies on the way. It feels like the four of you are a unit. And Wyn and I are just over here . . . doing our thing. I don’t know. It’s stupid.”
“It’s not stupid,” Hadley assured me. “But you’re right. The dynamichaschanged.”
