Page 31 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Hope sighed. “I know ‘Mac’ wouldn’t, but Larry would. Let me bottom line this. Larry and Montana adopted me. They were hippie losers. I thought they both died a couple of years ago. After last year’s tornado, my best friends saw Larry-Mac on television and they agree it’s him.”

“This is un-freaking believable.” Willow swatted her long, prematurely gray braid over her shoulder.

Hope reached for her colleague’s arm. “I know. I’ve been living with this nightmare for nearly two years.”

Shaking, Hope glanced back toward the students, and lowered her voice. “Whether you like it or not, Larry and I are going to find Montana. She’s his wife and deserves to know he’s alive. This needs to happen sooner rather than later. He’s already agreed to go Saturday morning.”

Blood drained from Willow’s face. “Mac and I don’t keep secrets from one another. Our relationship is built on trust.”

“And pot, likely.” Hope immediately apologized. “I’m sorry. That was a cheap shot.”

“Indeed it was.” Willow stared at her tiny diamond ring with a now-matching wedding band. “How can I keep this colossal piece of news from him? That his real name isn’t Mac? That he was married to Montana, and she’s apparently alive.” The art teacher glanced at her now-restless students and whispered, “I don’t want to be married to a married man.”

“You can’t be. It isn’t legal.”

Willow distractedly twirled her braid. “What a hot mess. Assuming you’re right, I’ll promise to keep quiet about what you’ve told me ononecondition.”

“Name it.”

“That you’ll stay in touch by text. I want to know how the trip is going. I want to know how Mac’s doing. I want to know where you are in Nashville and whether he recognizes Mon—” Willow’s voice broke.

Hope bobbed her head. “Thank you. I’ll text you twice a day.”

Willow held up a finger. “Oh, and you’ve also got to promise that you’ll accept me as your-your—”

“My mom?” Hope’s eyebrows shot up. “That’ll be a little more difficult.”

Nodding, Willow said, “Fair enough. How about as your friend?”

“Done.” Hope hugged Willow and ran to her office to rearrange her schedule.

She texted her friends: I NEED YOUR ADVICE. PLEASE SAY YOU’LL MEET ME AT COCONUTS AT 6, OKAY?

After Alex responded affirmatively, Suzy replied that she was on her way with her husband in tow. Cheri didn’t answer. Glad at least two friends could meet, Hope jotted down a short packing list.

Chapter 29

Alex had barely left her office all day. Overwhelmed with marketing projects, she decided to work overtime. Hannah had called in sick again, more likely an escapade with Sean, which Alex couldn’t prove and knew her intern would deny.

Traipsing across the darkened lobby, she waved goodbye to the two drive-thru tellers, stepped into the bank parking lot, and froze.

Standing next to an all-too-familiar purple jeep in the desolate lot was none other than Tony’s nasty ex-wife. Grimacing, Alex said, “What the hell are you doing here, Nikki?”

“Well, well. I thought you were gonna have a sleepover at the fucking bank. Aren’t you the model employee working long hours?” Nikki’s raspy voice cut through the early evening air.

Attempting to appear more confident than she felt, Alex quipped, “Forget where you lived?”

A cigarette dangled from Nikki’s lips. Sneering, Tony’s ex asked, “Are you always such a bitch?” She blew smoke in Alex’s direction.

“Bitches bring out the bitch in me, I guess.” Fishing through her purse, Alex was furious she couldn’t find her car keys. “Why don’t you run along?” Motioning with one hand, Alex said, “The bank’s closed, obviously. Besides, you’re not a customer.”Thank God.

Nikki spat on the ground. “I ain’t going nowhere.”

What a piece of work.“I forgot something. I’ve got to go back inside. Entertain yourself for all I care.” Alex raced up the sidewalk, punched in the back bank code, and stormed inside. Heart thudding, for once, she wished her hateful intern were there.

Tearing her desk apart, Alex eventually found her car keys on the floor behind her office chair. Before going back outside to confront Miss Charming, she texted Tony.

WHY IS YOUR BITCH EX AT MY BANK?

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