“The Lost Spur.”
Of course.
“Okay.”
“Think you can manage that?”
Betty flips the food into a Styrofoam to-go container and closes the lid.
“Why couldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. A certain hunk out there that seems to be keeping you on your toes?”
“What do you mean?”
She waggles her brows at me. “Mr. Moore was telling everyone about you running into each other the other day at the general store.”
I love Pinecrest. I never want to leave. It’s my home—my favorite place in the world. But damn it, there are some days I hate it. Can no one keep their nose out of other people’s business?
“We ran into each other. Nothing dramatic happened.”
“Really? You run into the love of your life andnothinghappened?” Betty exclaims. “I don’t believe you.”
“We can be civil adults.” I brush a loose lock of hair out of my face. “Now, do you want me to deliver the order or not?” I give her a fake smile. One that she can totally read based on her reaction. “I’m a big girl. I can handle it.”
“Good.” She nods behind her. “Everything is almost ready to go. Just need to finish the hash browns.”
“It’s nice you’re making them breakfast,” I say, starting to pack everything into boxes to make it easier to carry.
“You think I’m doing this for free? Kade called me this morning requesting food. I’m happy to oblige for any paying customer.” She snorts at me. “Now, make sure to get a good tip for me.”
She winks at me as I shoulder open the back door to the delivery van.
It doesn’t take much to amp up my nerves as Betty comes outside to pass over the last bit of food. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Kade since the other night.
Since he attacked my mouth with his.
I wish I could say it didn’t affect me, but it did. It rearranged every cell in my body.
When Kade left all those years ago, I was able to put him behind me.Eventually.
I tried to make things work with Paul. Things were good the first few years. We clicked. I was happy. We were happy.
Until things started to change. He became too wrapped up in work. Wanted to keep climbing the ladder to take over my dad’s company.
Now, it’s the biggest wedge between us. And now Kade is back and has stepped right into the mess that is my life.
As I start the van and head to the ranch, I try to push the thoughts of Kade out of my head. But how can I? He woke up emotions in me I haven’t felt in years. And having to tell him about Poppy? I guess I didn’t have to worry about telling him because he figured it out.
What’s going to happen now? It’s the thought that keeps plaguing me.
Poppy is the most important person in my life. I can’t lose her. I don’t know Kade anymore. What if he’s angry and wants to take her from me?
I crack the windows, letting the fresh mountain air in to help soothe my frayed nerves.
I wonder what would have happened if Kade had stayed to fight for us. If he hadn’t left town. Would we still be together? Would we be where we are now? At odds with one another?
Back when we first got together, I was so full of hope for our future. Every one of those dreams was dashed when he left.
