Page 44 of Love Me Again

She tried to remind herself that this was something Boone had kept from her. All the time they’d been together, he hadn’t seen fit to fold her into his family, so why should she let him now?

She should be fuming, not enjoying herself. She should hate him, not be searching out his gaze in the group so they could laugh together over something Micah said.

She had to get away from this. When everyone was arguing over the best way to get the now-cut tree back to Deb’s truck, Josie carefully began to peel away, making sure no one noticed. When they passed a stable, she ducked behind it.

She’d just hide back here for a little bit, and then once the tree was on the truck, she’d reappear and just have to suffer the ride back.

Just as she thought she was home free, Deb stepped out of the stable door. Josie hadn’t even noticed her missing from the group, but here she was and…she was crying.

Josie rushed to her side, worried that she’d somehow hurt herself or something. “Deb, are you all right?”

Deb sniffled. “Oh, I’m fine. More than.” She even laughed, waving at the tears in her eyes. She looked around, as if making sure no one was here, then leaned in close to Josie and lowered her voice. “Don’t tell anyone, but Cal asked my permission to ask Lindsay to marry him. Isn’t that the sweetest thing?”

Josie hated the little stab of jealousy over two people she barely knew. Hated that her smile must look terribly brittle, because it certainly felt it.

“They were high school sweethearts,” Deb continued, dabbing at her eyes with the fabric of her gloves. “Broke up for a while when Lindsay went off to college, but I always figured they’d find a way back to each other. Some people are just right.”

Twist the knife, Deb.

“I’m not saying that to be a pushy mom.” Deb reached out and squeezed her arm. “It’s just true, and if it kind of lines up with you and Boone…”

“Leaving for college and ending your marriage because you’re injured and a coward are two different things, Deb.” She said it too sharp, and that wasn’t fair considering how nice Deb had been to her, but still…

She needed to be firm with herself, and if that meant being firm with everyone else, so be it.

“Yes, they are.” Deb’s eyes were sad, but full of understanding. She let out a long sigh, then waved at her face. “All right. Sign of tears gone?”

Josie nodded, then Deb linked arms with her. “Then let’s head back to the group. They should have that tree all strapped on by now.”

The tree was indeed strapped onto Deb’s truck and Shane was helping Cora into the passenger seat of his truck when they approached. Micah and Boone were talking about something with grins on their faces. Molly and Lindsay were deep in conversation with Grandma Maisey while Gavin, Cal, and Lou were having their own discussion right next to them. Ben was the only lone figure, leaning against Deb’s truck, but he was watching the goings on with faint amusement in his expression.

Josie wanted to pull herself out of Deb’s grip and run in the opposite direction. She didn’t belong here, no matter what Boone wanted or didn’t. He hadn’t folded her into this. She’d crashed into it.

But there he was limping across the distance between them, aiming that smile at her now that he was done talking to Micah.

She could remind herself of all the pain he’d caused her. Before and after he’d left, but that smile still had her heart turn into some fluttery, stupid thing who wanted to smile back.

“Cora’s beat, so we’re going to head back now.”

“We?” Josie replied.

“I switched cars with Micah since he’ll be better help at unloading the tree. Bum leg comes in handy every once in a while.” His smile went mischievous.

Which was such a dangerous thing.

“Josie, maybe you could talk some sense into my son about getting his bum leg checked out one of these days,” Deb said primly before walking away.

“I can’t believe you’re keeping this from them,” Josie said, watching Deb approach Ben. Which was none of her business, so she should keep her mouth shut. But… “You need to tell her about your surgery. You need to ask for help.”

His smile died. He shrugged. He didn’t argue with her, but he didn’t agree.

Because this is Boone Tyler and he did not miraculously change. So she should absolutely not be surprised by his hard-headed stupidity.

She walked stiffly to Shane’s truck and got into the back. Boone wasn’t far behind and then once they were all loaded up, Shane started to drive back to the ranch.

Boone kept kind of bumping into her. He was definitely crowding her on purpose. Micah hadn’t slid into her or brushed her arm or anything when she’d been sharing the backseat with him.

“I think Cal’s going to propose to Lindsay,” Cora said into the quiet of the car. “By Christmas at the latest.”