Page 6 of Finding Chloe

Jessie and her husbands, Stefan and Mikel, opted for a slightly smaller house, which was still large by most people’s standards. It was easier to stay here instead of going to my parents’ house in town.

Besides, I needed to help with the wedding planning.

I snuck into the mud room, shucking my boots as quietly as possible. It would be rude of me to wake everyone at such an early hour. I wouldn’t be up myself, except it felt awkward sleeping in the barn while people worked.

“So, are you and Matt officially a thing yet?” Aunt Jessie asked, propped against the doorframe of the guest bedroom I was staying in.

I screeched in surprise. Of course she would be up at this hour too. Lots of food to prepare for breakfast for the entire staff.

“Really, Aunt Jessie? You should know better than that.” I laughed. She knew all about my high school crush. Being the youngest of her generation, Aunt Jessie wasn’t that much older than me, so I considered her more like an older sister.

Matt was two grades ahead of me. We weren’t really in the same circles, but everyone knew me and my best friend Rosie. Our families were legendary in the school. Rosie’s brother made it to the NFL, and my dad almost did too, setting so many school records, but an injury his senior year ended his career before it started.

Everyone in town knew my name, even though it had nothing to do with me. It was one of the reasons I wanted to go away to college. I needed to make a name for myself. But here I was, back at home.

The opportunity to do the Kingston wedding had fallen into my lap, and I couldn’t pass it up. It was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, and I hadn’t found anything yet to do for my graduation assignment.

“You’re starting to sound like me,” Jessie said, pushing off the doorframe. “I hadn’t thought anything of Mikel and Stefan when we first met but look how that turned out. Matt’s been in your life way longer, and you have finally connected. Don’t shut yourself off from the possibility.”

“Right. Like he or I are ready to settle down.” I eyed her, tugging a clean shirt over my head. “I’m here for the wedding, and I don’t think Matt is a one-woman kind of guy. He was such a player in high school. I’m nothing like the girls he went for.”

“You’re right.” She shrugged.

I couldn’t stop the gasp that slipped past my lips at her statement. “Gee thanks.”

She grinned. “You’re better than them.”

That was more like the response I would expect from my family. It was the same one Rosie and Holly had given me when Matt had first approached me at the Cotton Jin two years ago.

Every time I came home to visit, we met up. And after two years, Matt and I were friends. The time change didn’t stop texts or phone calls… maybe an occasional naughty video chat.

“Plus, it wouldn’t be fair to him. I can’t be with a guy when I’m dreaming about another.” I threw my dirty clothes in the small pile beside the closet. It was about time I did a load of laundry.

“You’re still thinking about that guy you met at the event?”

“Yes,” I sighed. I hadn’t told her his name. I was afraid of what she would say. I figured she knew the crowd and had heard of Hunter. It was a small world, and I didn’t want her to be upset at him because we kept things casual. I was likely the only one wishing it had been more than that.

“Well, hurry up and get changed. You can help me in the kitchen before the team arrives. Your meeting with Alex isn’t until this afternoon, right?”

I nodded. “Three o’clock.”

“Good. It’s all hands on deck when the team comes home.” She smiled and then left me to finish changing.

My head spun and my stomach knotted. I took a deep breath, settling myself. This was it. Time for me to prove myself.

Three hours later,the kitchen smelled like baked goods and was overflowing with food. Aunt Jessie said she always tried to have food ready for the team when they came to the ranch. Being on the road, hardly having a homecooked meal, they always returned with an appetite.

Beep, beep, beep.

The light tapping on a horn announced their arrival. We moved outside to greet them.

Hands from around the ranch jogged over to help unload. Three trailers came to a stop, followed by a few more trucks. I laughed as someone waved a handful of brightly colored ribbons from their window. The hooting and hollering from everyone on the ranch was heartwarming. There was no shortage of support. I’d seen it over the past few days. Everyone helped each other, and it felt more like a large family than a workplace.

Matt eased up next to me, his fingers lightly grazing mine. I nudged his arm with my shoulder.

Bodies flowed from the vehicles. While Matt stood on one side of me, Andrew and Gavin moved to my other side.

“With all those ribbons, it’ll be an extra-special pampering session for these horses today.” Andrew nudged me, laughing. I loved how everyone embraced my role here on the ranch and made me feel like I’d been here for years instead of days.

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