Page 72 of All My Heart

Wes raised a brow. “You don't love her?”

I couldn't respond because I wanted to tell Luna first.

“It's like that, huh?” Wes moved closer. “Let me give you a little advice. Don't assume she knows how you feel. Tell her.”

My forehead wrinkled as I considered him. “Isn't that changing the rules in the middle of the game? We promised ourselves it would only be a few weeks. Then we'd go our separate ways.”

“Things change. You know how it is.” Wes shrugged, but I didn't know how it was.

I'd never been in love before. It was complicated when you lived and worked in different states. How could it work? What if she didn't want to even try? That's how it seemed when I offered to flip houses with her, but maybe that wasn't the relationship declaration I thought it was. Had she gotten pissed because it was a work thing?

I only offered it because of how I felt about her and how good we were together, working and otherwise.

The front door opened, and Faith rushed in first to greet Izzy. Ryder and Violet followed behind.

I approached Ryder.

“It's good to see you.” He pulled me in for a hug.

“You're staying here now?” I asked him, remembering he'd transferred here for work and was undecided on whether he'd stay.

Ryder pulled Violet into his side. “This one convinced me to stay.”

She laughed. “Hardly. He loves living here with his family. And Faith does too.”

“It's nice to meet you,” I said to Violet.

Ryder's first wife seemingly kept him away from the family, so it was nice to have him living nearby. Especially since I was back now too.

“Everyone will be home for the holidays,” Wes said.

Violet's gaze zeroed in on Luna, who was approaching us. “Luna? What are you doing here?”

“I brought her. You two know each other?” I asked, looking from Violet to Luna, whose expression was one of surprise.

Violet put her hands on her hips. “I thought you were renting a cabin in the woods, and you didn't want any visitors?”

Luna winced. “I am.”

“Then how did you two meet?” Violet waved a hand between us.

The others had fallen silent, probably sensing something was happening.

I cleared my throat, hoping I wasn't betraying Luna's confidence. “We're actually neighbors. We got to know each other, and she wanted to see the farm.”

“We need to talk.” Violet stepped closer to Luna, looping an arm over her shoulder as she guided her away.

“Dinner's ready,” Daphne called from the kitchen.

It was chaos while everyone helped carry in the drinks and bowls of food. There was a mad dash to grab a seat at the table. I managed to get one next to Luna.

“How's it going?” I asked her, a little worried she'd be overwhelmed.

Luna smiled wanly. “I didn't realize Ryder was one of your brothers.”

“You didn't know his last name?” I liked when it was just about us, and we didn't have to worry about what anyone thought. “What did you tell Violet?”

“That we're friends. I don't think she believes me,” she hissed.

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