Page 16 of Love in the Wild

Cheyenne’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding. How did we not know this?”

Vera walked out of the kitchen with a big tray of dinner rolls. “Because you’re not from around here. The Howards and the Pattons are notorious for killin’ each other.”

Blake rubbed his chin and looked around the dining hall. “Brett’s okay though, right? Has anyone heard from him lately?”

Brett’s roommate, Linc, was filling two plates with baked chicken and new potatoes down the serving bar. When everyone turned to stare at him, he looked up from the food.

“What are you lookin’ at?”

“Have you heard from Brett?” Cheyenne asked.

Linc’s eyebrow dipped. “I’m not his mom.”

Hadley sighed. “He’s fine. He came by earlier to get some things for Thea.”

“Is she okay?” Cheyenne asked.

“He seemed to think she’d be better soon. I didn’t ask how bad off she was.”

Vera wiped her hands down her apron and sighed. “That girl was too good for what she was born into. She was the only good one of them, and last I heard she disappeared after her dad was killed.”

“Well, she sure made a comeback,” Blake said. “That’s one way to say welcome home.”

“Jess was mad that Brett’s getting involved with Thea again, but I think Brett’s just trying to do right by her,” Hadley said.

“He cares. I saw it on his face earlier.”

“Yep. He told me the same,” Colt said. “He’s a goner.”

Vera picked up an empty tray from the serving bar and propped it on her hip. “Well, both of them need our prayers. If Thea is back and things are half as bad as they were before she left, then she’s in a lot of trouble.”

“Agreed.” Cheyenne reached her hands out to Blake and Ridge.

“Oh, you mean right now,” Ridge said, taking Cheyenne’s hand and bowing his head.

Cheyenne’s brows raised. “I said we should pray for her. Now is as good a time as any.”

Ridge’s grin spread at Cheyenne’s words. “I love it when your Southern accent comes out to play.”

Cheyenne rolled her eyes, but a smile hid any signs of irritation for her fiancé.

Hadley reached for the men’s hands too. Cheyenne and Hadley were both new to prayer, but they’d both dedicated their lives to the Lord before Christmas. It was amazing how much hope came with handing over faith to God. It had gotten Cheyenne and Hadley through some tough times with their mom, and Thea needed a host of prayers behind her now too.

Cheyenne bowed her head. “Lord, we don’t know what Brett and Thea need right now, but we pray that Your guiding hand would show in their lives. Help us to help our friends, and we pray for healing for Thea and whatever hurts are left between their families. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

Vera stepped around the serving counter to wrap Cheyenne in a hug. “You’re a good woman. You too, Hadley. I’m so glad you ended up here.”

“You and me both,” Cheyenne and Hadley said in unison. They fell into a fit of laughter before picking up plates at the end of the bar.

Hadley bumped her sister’s arm as they lined up for food. “Hey, can we get together later to talk about the wedding? I have a few questions.”

Ridge and Cheyenne’s wedding would be the first one Hadley had ever even attended, much less been a part of. Getting thrown into maid of honor duties was a little overwhelming when she had no idea what to expect.

“Sure. I’ll see if Everly and Linda can meet us after supper.”

Everly and Linda were the event planners at the ranch, and they were throwing Ridge and Cheyenne’s mega wedding together in record time. With Ridge being a former NFL player and Cheyenne’s dad having retired from the NFL, there were many big-name connections between the two families. No doubt the ranch would be welcoming some celebrities soon.

With her after-supper plans settled, Hadley’s thoughts drifted back to Brett and Thea. Did she really not have anyone she could trust? Was her family so bad that they would have done this to her?

---