Page 19 of Love for a Lifetime

“The goat,” Dawson added. He didn’t feel like saying much else for the first time in his life.

Olivia looked up without making eye contact. “He’s in the west pen.”

“Thanks. Genella is ready to be united with her one true love.” He held up the chicken and managed a grin at Anna. “Can’t stand in the way when it’s true love.”

Anna smiled wide, showing off her pearly white teeth. “No, that would be a shame.”

Dawson jerked his chin over his shoulder as he turned to leave. “Later, ladies.”

Anna wasn’t the one for him, but they might still have a good time at the wedding.

As long as he could forget about the stranger who just stole his girl.

5

OLIVIA

Anna rounded on Olivia as soon as Dawson was out of sight. “Did you hear that? He asked me to be his date!”

Kinda hard not to hear that since she was an arm’s length away. Also difficult to ignore since she’d suggested it.

A hollowness lay gaping in her chest. Going to the wedding with Dawson would be a dream, but she wouldn’t be able to enjoy it knowing Anna wanted to be in her place.

“I heard.”

“I have to find a dress,” Anna said as she pulled out her phone and started typing.

“Just make a post saying you’re going to a wedding, and you’ll have dozens of boutiques sending you their dresses.”

Anna smiled as she looked down at her phone. “I know. This will be epic.”

Olivia walked into the goat pen and beckoned Henrietta over. “Come on, girl. You’re first.”

Dawson wouldn’t be happy she was milking his goats, but he’d have to get over it. She needed something to do. Anything to keep her mind off the wedding plans unfolding.

“What about you?” Anna asked.

“I’m the maid of honor. Mine is already being altered.”

“No. I mean, what about your date.”

Henrietta skipped by, and Olivia followed her into the barn. “That’s a problem for future Olivia.”

Anna hung back in the barn entry as she tapped on her phone. “I’m asking my brother about Mark now.”

“There’s no rush. It’s not like I’ll have much time to hang out. I’m in the wedding, and I’ll be up to my ears in coordinating at the reception.”

Anna tucked her phone into her back pocket and propped a hand on her slim hip. “You like to play hard to get.”

“That’s not what I’m doing.” At least, it wasn’t Olivia’s intention. She didn’t want to lead someone on, and she had her own issues when it came to dating.

A loud crack sounded from outside the barn, and Olivia jerked her head up at the same time as Anna.

“What was that?” Anna asked.

Olivia strode to the barn opening and stuck her head outside. Dawson was shirtless and reaching for a pile of logs. His broad shoulders were rippled with muscles that ribboned down his back, and his jeans hung low on his hips. Every movement was executed with smooth control.

“Oh my word,” Anna whispered just behind Olivia’s ear.

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