Page 15 of Love in the Wild

When Brett’s truck crested the hill, Hadley rested her coffee on the small table and grabbed the bag. He’d barely come to a stop next to her purple car when she tossed the bag through the open window into the passenger seat. Maybe he could get gone before Jess caught wind of Hadley’s involvement with the Thea debacle.

“You’re all set. I hope she’s doin’ okay.”

Brett was the kind of boy-next-door handsome that caught every woman’s attention, and his laid-back air and easy smile meant he was too good to be good, if that was even a thing.

There were a dozen solid reasons why Hadley should be interested in him, but the sparks had never been more than a flash in the pan. Hadley got one hundred percent friend vibes from the guy, and that was good enough for her.

Plus, he was head over heels for Thea, as Hadley was just learning.

Or was he in over his head? Either way, there was some kind of falling involved, and Hadley knew to stay miles away from complications like that.

“Thanks for this. I’ll make sure you get your stuff once Thea is back up and at ‘em.”

Hadley waved a hand in the air and pasted on a forced smile. He had about thirty seconds before someone on the ranch spotted them and word got back to Jess that Hadley was aiding the enemy.

Well, not the enemy. Jess’s brother. But Jess had war on the brain, and there wasn’t much stopping that train once it got rollin’.

“Don’t worry about it. Call me if you need anything else.”

“Will do.” Brett waved and backed out just as fast as he’d rolled in.

The sun was getting close to the western tree line, and a golden glow spread over the ranch. Hadley checked her watch. No sense in going to the stables since Jess would be headed to the dining hall for dinner any minute now.

Chugging the last of her coffee, Hadley slipped back into her boots and coat and set a trail for the main office. She let herself into Ava’s office and replied to a few emails. Hadley helped out in the office when she could, since Ava’s pregnancy left her either sick or exhausted most of the time.

When the inbox was cleared out, Hadley headed next door to the dining hall where a dozen others were already lining up at the serving bar. Ridge and Blake playfully shoved each other.

“I said he already had a woman,” Ridge said.

“No, you said he was married. I said he was heartbroken. There’s a difference.”

Ridge narrowed his eyes at Blake. “Not sure there is.”

Cheyenne slapped her fiancé on the chest and gasped. Ridge pretended to be hurt as he faced the fury of Hadley’s sister.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

Cheyenne propped her hands on her hips. “Then how did you mean it? Marriage doesn’t equal heartbroken!”

Ridge looked to Blake for help, but he just stuck his hands in the air.

“I mean, I thought maybe he married someone and she decided she didn’t want to be married to him anymore,” Ridge explained.

“Smooth,” Blake whispered.

Hadley approached the group and sighed. “Ridge, I’ve put a lot of work into this wedding, and if you mess it up, I will throw your favorite boots in Wolf Creek.”

Ridge’s eyes widened. “Message received.”

Hadley rolled her eyes. If Ridge didn’t get to marry Cheyenne soon, he wouldn’t need punishment. The man was in love with Cheyenne, and Hadley couldn’t be happier for her sister and future brother-in-law.

“Are y’all talkin’ about Brett?” Hadley asked.

Colt stuck his head over Hadley’s shoulder to whisper, “He told me he’s in love with her, and her dad killed his dad and then his uncle killed her dad. Or…something like that. I had trouble following.”

Cheyenne scoffed. “You made that up.”

Hadley raised a hand. “I don’t think he did. That’s kinda what Jess told me.”

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