Page 16 of Finding Chloe

“I haven’t really had a chance to talk to him about it. I feel so shitty. I never expected to see Hunter again. I really like Matt, but I also really like Hunter.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll figure it out. I know you will. They’ll understand no matter how it ends up.”

I leaned into Jessie, absorbing her comforting warmth.

“Oooh, just think about it. Chloe could havethreemen.” Grace slapped her hand down on the counter.

“I can barely keep up with my two,” Tori snorted.

“Same,” the rest of the girls echoed.

“How would that work?” My head skipped over a bunch of questions and went straight to the details.

“Honey, that’s for you to discover together.” Jessie held up her glass.

“And then tell us all the juicy details on the next girls’ night,” Tori added, clinking her glass with Jessie’s.

“But what if Kyle doesn’t like me?” What would that mean for me and Kyle? I didn’t want to lose Hunter because Kyle and I didn’t fit. What if Matt didn’t accept sharing? He’s never once mentioned wanting a Cosland relationship. I couldn’t lose Matt. My heart beat like a kickdrum in my chest.

“He’ll love you, sweetie. But whatever happens, you’ll figure it out.” Tori’s eyes were full of sympathy. She was right—it was something I’d have to figure out.

We ended up eating dinner and chatting until after midnight when Thomas and Declan finally kicked us all out so they could have their bride to themselves. I texted Matt that I was going back to my room instead of sneaking into bed with him. I told myself it was because I didn’t want to wake him at such a late hour when I knew he had to be up early to work.

But I knew the real reason: I was afraid to talk to him about Hunter. Afraid of what it meant for us. I wasn’t ready to let him go, but I also wanted to explore whatever this was. And then there was another man who fit into this mix, and I didn’t even know how I’d feel about him.

I had no idea what I was going to do.

The next morning,I woke with my alarm. I had a ride today, and I couldn’t afford to miss it. Matt had carved out time in his schedule to take me on the tour. Ryder and Jason were tagging along like annoying friends did, which worked in my favor. I needed all the help I could get with pinning down alocation. Declan, Thomas, and Alex had already searched, but they couldn’t agree on a spot.

We hoped a new set of eyes would help.

I threw on a pair of jeans, a tank, and tossed my hair in a ponytail. My shower would have to wait until I got home, so I lathered on deodorant and headed to the mudroom for my boots.

“Going for a ride today?” Stefan called from the kitchen.

“Yep. Declan said to start at the empty cattle pastures and work my way from there. Any thoughts?” I slid one foot in and peered up to see Stefan holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a travel mug in the other.

I quickly slid my other boot on and accepted the travel mug, inhaling the delicious steam and taking a big sip. “Thanks. I needed that.”

“I figured. I know how late you got in last night,” he smiled. Of course he did; it was the same time Jessie probably stumbled into bed. While I went for the mocktails, Jessie kept with the sangria.

“What Declan suggested is a good place to start. Those paddocks will be empty right now. Maybe it’s not as scenic as you’d like, but with some added details, they could still work.”

His Cosland accent was so dreamy. I could see how my aunt had fallen for him so fast.

“I’ll tell the guys.” I took another sip of coffee. “And thanks again for this.”

I took the travel mug to the barn, knowing I’d need every drop. I headed to the second barn, where all the workhorses were. Travis had said I could use his horse, Bear. He’d just finished his cattle rotation and wouldn’t need him.

I peered over the stall door and shook my head. Bear had rolled overnight and was a complete mess. I led him intothe aisle and cross-tied him. His bedraggled appearance wasn’t going to fly with me.

I’d been in this barn enough to know where the supplies were. I took what I needed and got to work making him presentable. When I’d finished, I fished a mint from my pocket and offered it to him. He happily munched as I combed the last of the shavings from his tail.

I just needed to grab his tack and prepare it for when the boys arrived. I didn’t want to be the last one ready. I popped into the tack room and searched around. In the distance, a door slammed. I glanced at my watch; I still had plenty of time until the guys arrived. It couldn’t be them, so I ignored it.

I found the hook labeled Bear and adjusted the bridle on my shoulder. His saddle would be underneath—assuming that was how the room was set up. I nestled my arm underneath the saddle pad and lifted the back side while grabbing the horn.

“Seriously?” I grunted as I tried to shift the slowly falling saddle higher in my arms. It weighed a ton. How was I going to get this on Bear without toppling over?

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