Page 117 of Bloom: Part 2

“Crowe will never forgive me.”

“I’m sure he will. He’ll understand that you did what you had to in order to keep your family safe. Maybe leave a letter explaining so he has closure.”

A letter sounded good. I didn’t like writing, but Logan could help me. Then Crowe would know I only left because I had to. Not because I wanted to leave them all behind.

“How did you get so smart?” I asked. “Is there some magic water in Smoky Vale or something no one has told me about yet? I always feel so stupid.”

“Now none of that. We all have our strengths. Yours is different, that’s all.”

Not sure I believed him, but talking to Jamie had calmed me down. If only I’d gone to see him instead of Dr. Simms. I clenched my stomach muscles. At least one good thing would come out of leaving Smoky Vale. I would never have to see that shrink again.

Jamie walked me to the door, his hand resting briefly on my shoulder before he opened it. The cool air swept in, carrying the faint scent of pine. “Feeling better now?” he asked.

“Yeah.” I dropped my gaze. “Look, I know in the past, I haven’t exactly been friendly, but…”

“Hey, don’t think about it. None of that matters now. All of us are different, but we have one important thing in common—our love for our men. By the way, I’ll keep an eye on them for you.”

I nodded, pleased with the offer, even if I didn’t say it outright. Words had always felt clunky when it came to expressing thanks. Instead, I muttered, “Appreciate it, Jamie.”

“You’ve got this.” He fixed his gaze steady on mine, like he was trying to anchor me to the spot. Then he motioned for us to start walking, falling into step beside me as we headed toward the clubhouse where I’d parked my bike. Jamie didn’t fill the silence with empty words, and I was grateful for that. It gave me time to think about the things he’d said. By the time we reached my bike, I felt marginally better, though the knot in my stomach hadn’t completely untangled.

“And leave Dr. Simms to me,” he said. “I will handle it.”

“Thanks.” I rubbed the back of my neck, glancing sideways at him.

Jamie’s mouth twitched in a faint smile. “Anytime.” He lingered, his gaze sharp as it swept over the front of the clubhouse. “Be safe out there, Bloom. It’s almost your big day.”

My heart skipped a beat. Marrying Logan. Becoming his husband. Being Bloom Collier. I didn’t even care it wasn’t his original name.

The door swung open, and Grimm and Logan walked out, their boots thudding against the wooden porch. Grimm’s sharp eyes darted between Jamie and me while Logan’s face twisted into a look of surprise. He wasn’t the only one surprised. I’d had no idea he was at the clubhouse.

“Bloom?” Logan bounded down the steps toward me. “Didn’t think I’d run into you here.”

My mind blanked, scrambling for a response that wouldn’t raise suspicion.

“Needed to check in about some health stuff,” Jamie said casually. “Figured I’d walk him back while I was at it.”

Logan’s gaze flicked between us. “Health stuff? Are you okay? What’s wrong? Why didn’t you come to me?”

“He’s all right. Nothing to worry about.” Jamie tucked his arm through Grimm’s. “Have you taken your insulin shot yet?”

Grimm grimaced and rolled his eyes. “I took it after lunch just as the doctor prescribed. Stop being a nagging wife.”

Jamie scoffed. “Who’s the wife?”

Grimm’s blush shone through his beard, and Logan chuckled. Ben came out of the clubhouse, nodding at Jamie and Grimm. “We should get going, Logan. Is Bloom coming back with us?”

“I rode,” I said.

Logan frowned. “All by yourself?”

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t we say not to travel alone?”

“But it’s you they’re after, so I figured I’d be safe.”

“Sweetheart, if they want me, all they’d need to do is take you. Don’t do that again. Stick close to the car where I can see you the whole way.”

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