Page 95 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

When everyone was seated, Ari smiled around at them. “I love that our little group is growing.”

Retta exchanged a smile with Shelly. They were the two newcomers.

Libby laughed. “I can see what you’re thinking, Retta. You don’t need to put yourself on the outside as a newbie. Ari’s only lived in the valley a little while longer than you have, and Candy hasn’t been here much longer than Ari.”

The others nodded.

“And besides,” said Ari. “It’s not about how long anyone’s been here. It’s about us making new friends. Or in my case, making any friends at all.”

Retta gave her a puzzled look. Ari seemed to her like the kind of woman who would have lots of friends.

“We talked about this last time a little bit, but I don’t mind admitting that I didn’t really have friends in my old life. I knewa lot of people, I had coworkers and acquaintances, but I didn’t have close friends.” Ari smiled around at them. “Nothing like you ladies.” She smiled at Shelly. “And even though we don’t know each other yet, I’m including you in that. Especially if you want to fill us in on what’s going on between you and Trip,” she added with a laugh.

Retta tensed, hoping that Shelly wouldn’t mind Ari being so forthright – and that she wouldn’t think that Retta had told them that there was something going on.

She relaxed when Shelly laughed. “First of all, thanks for including me. I don’t have many friends either, so it’s nice to feel so welcome. But I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint you about me and Trip.”

“There’s nothing going on between you?” Candy asked.

Shelly laughed again. “I didn’t say that – I’m not saying that there is, either. I’m just saying that no matter what happens, I don’t plan to stick around too long. From what I’ve seen, and from the way Trip talks about his friends, you ladies are here for the long haul. You’ve found your men and intend to settle here with them, right?”

“And you don’t see Trip that way?” asked Ari.

Shelly shrugged. “I don’t know yet how I see him, but it doesn’t matter. What I’m saying is that I don’t intend to settle here.”

“Do you know when you’ll move on again?” asked Retta. It was silly, Shelly had already told her that she didn’t plan to stay in the valley for long, but she was disappointed at the thought of her leaving.

“I don’t know yet. I’ll play it by ear. I thought I’d just be here for a few weeks, but then I sort of fell into the job workingfor Trip, and that suits us both for the time being. He’s still searching for someone permanent to fill the position, though.”

~ ~ ~

Travis leaned against his truck and tapped out a text while he waited for Trip to come back out of the restaurant after he walked Libby and Shelly inside.

Travis: Are you going to call me back or do I need to come out there to see you?

He stared at the screen. He wasn’t expecting an answer, so it was a pleasant surprise when he saw the little dots bouncing, indicating that Mav was typing a reply.

Mav: You don’t need to do that.

Travis: I do if you won’t talk to me.

Mav: I’m talking to you now.

Travis: You know what I mean. If I call you, will you pick up?

Mav: If I’m not busy.

Travis: Want to give me a clue when might be a good time?

Mav: Tomorrow. 3pm.

Travis: Ok. I’ll call you then. You still mad at me?

He sighed when the screen went dark before a reply came in. “I guess I should take that as a yes, you are,” he muttered to himself.

“Or maybe not,” he added when another message came in.

Mav: I’m not mad at you. I never was. I’m mad at myself, mad at the world, but I’m not mad at you.

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