Page 59 of Love in the Wild

Cheyenne studied Hadley for a few seconds before tilting her head. “You like him.”

No more lies. “Yeah.”

“You’re invested?” Cheyenne asked.

“Yeah.” Hadley couldn’t deny there was something growing out of control between her and Gage. Whether she liked it or not, her feelings couldn’t be stifled.

Cheyenne picked at a seam on the quilt top in front of her. “How big are these feelings?”

Hadley took a deep breath. “Kinda big.”

Cheyenne’s shoulders swelled deeper with each breath. “You’ll be careful?”

“I will.” She hadn’t been careful before when she stupidly went to his uncle’s place, but she’d learned her lesson now. Sort of. The most careful thing would be to step away from Gage entirely, but the ties were already bound too tight.

Cheyenne rested back on the couch and went back to her sewing. They let the subject die, and Hadley spent the rest of the evening playing with Abby. When it was the little girl’s bedtime, Hadley said her goodbyes to everyone and headed back to her cabin. Brett’s truck was parked out front just as she’d suspected.

Inside, Brett and Thea sat facing each other on the couch, laughing together. Every bit of the tension from the last week was gone, and the two lovebirds were back in action.

“Looks like you two kissed and made up,” Hadley said as she toed off her boots.

Thea cut a knowing glance at Brett. “You could say that.”

Brett stood and held out a hand for Thea. “We have some news.”

Thea slowly stood, keeping her weight on her uninjured foot. With a grin as wide as the Grand Canyon, she stuck her hand out toward Hadley.

A beautiful solitaire diamond glinted on Thea’s finger in the glow from the fireplace.

Hadley gasped and rushed over to take her friend’s hand. “You’re engaged!”

“Close,” Brett said.

“We’re married!” Thea shouted.

Hadley’s eyes widened right along with her mouth. “You’re married! Today?”

“Today!” Thea confirmed.

Hadley threw her arms around Thea, carefully wrapping her in love without pressing on Thea’s injuries. “I’m so happy for you!”

“Thanks,” Brett said with a smug smile. “I’m fully aware I married up, but don’t tell my new wife.”

Thea pressed her hands to her cheeks. “I can’t believe we did this, but I’m so happy!”

Hadley glanced back and forth between the newlyweds. “Does this mean you’re staying here?”

Thea shrugged. “I guess I’m staying.”

The magnitude of the ripple effect Brett and Thea had just created was expanding and growing in Hadley’s head. “Where are you gonna live? Brett lives with Linc.”

“I’m talking to Mr. Chambers tomorrow about getting one of the new cabins. Poor Linc will have to survive on his own.”

“We could be neighbors!” The warmth in her chest only grew knowing she wasn’t losing her new friend. “Everyone is gonna be so happy. We have to celebrate!”

“I’m hoping to talk to Everly tomorrow about having a little reception for our friends before the season starts. Ava has been trying to get me to stay since I came here, so I think I’ll have a job in the barn with Brett and Jess.”

“Oh! Does Jess know?”

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