Page 36 of Love in the Wild

Taking the last bite of the sandwich and turning around to prop his back against the tailgate, Gage took a few seconds to forget about the captivating woman beside him. “She got chosen for the experimental treatment.”

“That’s good news! Gage, this could be a game changer.”

He’d been excited about not having to find a way to pay for the treatment. He’d barely stopped to think about whether or not it would work. His initial reaction was to assume it wouldn’t. Then he wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t.

“I guess it could.”

“It will. I know it will,” Hadley said, shoving Gage’s arm.

Gage barely moved and looked up at Hadley like she could lose her fingers if she touched him again.

“Gage, stop scowling. This is good news. How can you not be excited?”

“Because I don’t have anything to be excited about yet.”

Hadley groaned. “Men. I’ll never understand you.”

“Right back atcha.”

Hadley’s phone buzzed, and she leaned to the side to pull it out of her back pocket. The smile on her face faded as she read the message.

“Gotta go.” She hopped off the tailgate and straightened her shirt. “Nice talk. We should do this again sometime.”

Gage straightened. That was it? She was leaving.

Oh no. He wasn’t ready for their time to end, and the realization sat like lead in his gut.

Hadley glanced at the garage before stepping up to Gage. She stood toe-to-toe with him for a split second before lifting up onto her toes and pressing a kiss to his bearded cheek.

Gage’s entire body went warm, and his hands itched to reach for her.

With a quick smile, she whispered, “I think that’s what I would do if we were hanging out.”

Staring down at her, unable to breathe, all the warmth in Gage’s body left in an instant. His reaction to Hadley’s innocent move was all too real and completely dangerous.

Gage cleared his throat and turned to slam the tailgate shut. “Thanks. I’ll let you know when I know more.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Hadley sang as she bounced off to her ridiculous purple car.

As soon as she was out of sight, Gage grabbed the cigarettes from his truck and stomped back to the garage. It was a whole-pack kinda day.

12

HADLEY

Hadley stormed through the double doors at the long-term care facility. Her determined stride almost pushed her straight past the check-in desk, but she jerked to a stop at the last second.

Jody was manning the desk, and her dark eyes and usually welcoming grin were strained. “Go on. They’re waiting for you.”

Shoot. That wasn’t a good sign. “Thanks.”

Hadley kept her quick pace down the hallway, only slowing when the door to her mother’s room came into view. A twisting in her chest had her gasping for air.

Lord, please help Mom. Help her to be strong. Help me to be strong. Help me to understand.

She could stand outside the room praying for help all day long, but her mom needed her right now. She pushed open the door, determined to face the music.

Her mom’s room was bright and welcoming. Hadley and Cheyenne made sure their mom had all the comforts of home. Cheyenne sat in a chair, and their mom sat up in the bed.

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