Page 113 of Love in the Wild

“Big families,” Gage whispered.

“Until then, they just like hosting get-togethers. Everly is a wedding planner for the ranch, so she likes throwing a party.”

They parked beside some of the other trucks in front of the house, and Gage held tight to her hand as they walked up to the door. He raised his hand to knock, but Hadley took the lead and opened the door.

She shrugged as she passed him and stepped inside. “We’re all family here.”

Gage shook his head again. “I’ve never had many friends and definitely not ones like this.”

“Don’t let it bother you. Blake and Everly both work at the ranch, and they definitely don’t act like they’re better than anyone else.”

Hadley led the way into the bright foyer. Tall ceilings opened up into the large living space that looked over the bar and kitchen. Her friends hung around the fireplace where a baseball game played on the TV and the other half were seated at the bar chatting with drinks in hand.

A chorus of “Hey!” filled the house as Gage shut the door behind them. A few of the ladies came over to share hugs while the men took their time getting up to greet them.

“I hope you’re ready for pizza,” Brett said as he extended a hand to Gage. “We thought Colt, Remi, and the kids were coming, but they got caught up at home. Now we have enough pizza to feed an army.”

“Thanks, man. I can put away some pizza,” Gage said as he shook hands with Brett.

Seeing Gage and Brett getting along like friends was still a little shocking, but was it too much to hope that this was the new normal? It had been weeks since the shadow of the feud between the Howards and Pattons had darkened their door.

Blake and Everly introduced themselves and told Gage to make himself at home before getting everyone’s attention to bless the food.

Gage gently wrapped his hand around Hadley’s as Blake thanked the Lord for bringing everyone together and for the blessings in their lives.

Hadley’s own list of blessings was growing by the day, and her heart swelled with joy. A single tear seeped from her closed eyes and dripped from her lashes. She was learning to love, but she still couldn’t understand the Lord’s unconditional love for His children. It was just too big–too unreal.

As soon as Blake finished his prayer, Brett let out a wild hoot and jogged toward the kitchen. “Meat lovers is mine!”

Gage stayed by Hadley’s side as they filled their plates with pizza. The guys kept up a steady conversation with him as they ate, and Hadley half listened to the various conversations while watching Gage win over her friends.

When everyone was finished eating, they cleaned up their leftovers and refilled drinks to sit around the living room. Couples dotted the couches, recliners, and hearth as they opened their Bibles.

Gage leaned over to whisper to Hadley, “I didn’t bring mine.”

She leaned over to grab her Bible from the end table. “No worries. We can share mine.”

He pressed a kiss to her temple as she scooted closer. “Thanks.”

Brett had been leading a study of the disciples and the spread of Christianity after Jesus’s resurrection, and they were coming to the harrowing recountings of the apostles' deaths.

Hadley listened with a tight throat as one by one the men who obediently followed Christ were murdered in violent ways. Her palms grew sweaty against the leather cover of her Bible.

Brett pointed to the Bible open in front of him. “I mean, if anyone needed confirmation that Jesus was real, hearing about what the apostles went through is plenty of confirmation for me. Most people would have given up and denied Him to save their own skins. These guys never backed down.”

“Well, Peter did once,” Everly added.

“Yeah, but then Jesus told him He would build His church on Peter’s steadfast faith,” Brett said. “He sinned, but Jesus offered him forgiveness.”

Ridge shook his head. “Man, I would not want to face Jesus after that. The guy had to be shaking in his sandals.”

The conversation took a lighter turn after that, but the thought stuck with her. Everyone in this room had been taking steps to move closer to God, but to what lengths would they go to defend that faith?

Gage wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close as if he could sense the turn her thoughts had taken. It was unnerving and calming at the same time how well he could sense her moods. Having him near calmed any unease in her heart.

When the scripture discussion was over, Olivia scooted forward on her seat. “Okay. Who needs prayer?”

The group always prayed for each other at the end of every gathering, and Hadley had spoken up quite a few times in the past, asking for help when she didn’t know where to turn.

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