“So I heard,” Bailey said. “They’re pretty much engraved in Moose Falls’ town lore,” she said with a chuckle. “A modern fairy tale.”
Hattie winked at her. “The Stone brothers have been mighty lucky in love. You and Landon are the talk of the town, from what I hear.”
Bailey’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?” Mission accomplished, she supposed. Hadn’t it been their goal to get the point across that they were a couple?
Hattie nodded. “There’s so much buzz around you two I’m surprised you didn’t hear it buzzing in your ears.”
“Nope. I didn’t hear a thing,” Bailey responded. “But I’ve been pretty busy at work and in other areas.”
“Forgive me for being nosy, but are you in love with Landon?” Hattie asked, her gaze unwavering as she stared her down.
Bailey couldn’t even respond. Her mouth felt as dry as sandpaper.Love?It was such a powerful, sweeping emotion that she’d never experienced in a romantic way. Hattie’s question was forcing her to ask herself some hard questions that she hadn’t been prepared for.
“Hattie, I can honestly tell you that I’ve never felt foranyone what I feel for Landon,” she blurted out. She was telling the truth. As complicated and confusing as this situation had become, she had out-of-this-world feelings for him. “Love takes time. It grows and builds with every passing day.”
Hattie grinned at her. “I can see it all there in your eyes. You’re falling in love with him, aren’t you?” She let out a gleeful laugh.
Bailey felt as if she’d been smacked in the face by a harsh Alaskan wind. Hattie was right on the money, even though she had no intention of confirming her suspicion.
She was falling in love with Landon Stone. And there wasn’t a single thing she could do about it.
