Page 35 of Training the Heart

“Maybe not, but seems like the one that would be the most fun.” Ginger giggles, the other girls chiming in with her.

Cole scowls at her. “Every damn time the pot needs stirring, there you are in the middle of it with a paddle trying to lure in your army.” Cole doesn’t miss a beat as he acts out stirring a giant paddle, while pointing at Ginger.

“I’m glad I can keep things exciting for you, Mr. Ashby,” Ginger retorts, winking before turning her gaze to Nash. “Better make us a few pitchers if you’re leaving, Nashby,” she adds as she pops a raspberry into her mouth.

Cole turns to grab her arm. “If I have to drive your ass home tonight, I’m not stopping for pizza or whatever food you’re craving when you’re drinking, so you best be on good behavior tonight, woman,” he says to her as her grin grows wide.

“Aw, honey.” Ginger looks at him with awho are youfucking kidding?face, then frees her arm and pats him on his jaw. “Of course you will, but don’t worry, I’ll only call you if the other men in town on my call list are unavailable.” She shrugs with a sweet smile then heads into the living room.

“Fucking little vixen,” Cole says as he shakes his head and pours himself a drink.

How these two can go from having each other’s backs to bickering like an old married couple in one second flat, I’ll never know.

Nash and I have been telling Cole for years they need to fight out their aggression between the sheets. It’s obvious everything Ginger Danforth does is just to get a rise out of Cole, because she basks in his attention like a cat lying in the sun when he gives it to her.

I chuckle at them and run a hand through my hair as I turn back to the kitchen.

Suddenly everything in the room goes quiet and all eyes are on me.

“Did Sarge just fucking laugh?” Nash asks, his eyes wide. “I haven’t heard that since 2009. Swear to Christ.”

“Fuck off,” I retort.

“Been since high school for me.” Cole grins, raising a hand as he searches through the snacks, finally settling on some Twizzlers.

“I didn’t even know he had dimples until last week,” Ivy chides.

“He has dimples?” CeCe chuckles, everyone else following suit.

For some reason, just this once, I can’t help but give up and laugh with them. Maybe I do need to loosen the fuck up a little.

Nah, fuck that.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Ivy

I’ve never had friends, not really—none that I could ever really trust anyway. When I was a teenager, I never had the time to do all the normal things girls my age were doing. I was working and studying to get a scholarship because I knew at a young age that was the only way I was getting a college education.

I imagine if I had, this is what it would have felt like. Gossip and girl-talk, a fire in the fireplace and Wade’s rustic lamps the only lights in the room,How to Lose a Guy in 10 Daysmixed with delicious drinks, snacks and way too much info about each other’s sex lives. Girls that come to cheer you up when they know you’re down and out. Girls that have your back like a little squad. A little army of sunshine. That’s what these three are and the way they’ve welcomed me into their circle, I’ll be grateful for as long as I’m on this ranch.

“So, let’s just call out the elephant in the room, Ivy. What is this little arrangement with you and Sarge?” Olivia asks.

I look at all three of them and feign total innocence, because I am innocent, aren’t I?

“No arrangement, he’s just being kind. I’m going back to myown cabin in a day or two,” I reply, popping a chip into my mouth.

“The way Wade Ashby is looking at you these days is … different, not kind. Different than I’ve seen him look at a woman in a long time,” Ginger chirps.

“I was starting to think he had given up on women,” Olivia adds.

“He’s my boss,” I say, looking straight at CeCe. The last thing I want is her or anyone in this family thinking I have ulterior motives where Wade is concerned. Secretly, it really frustrates me that I’m having a hard time not thinking about him lately.

“I said that once,” CeCe snorts, and the other girls start laughing. I should’ve known she wouldn’t think badly of me either way.

“Boss or not, he looks at you like he’s ready for a one-way ticket to Ivy-town.” Ginger chuckles as she gets up to grab more sangria. “Refill?” she asks.

I nod and hand her my almost empty glass.

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