Page 134 of Love Me Fearless

I arch an eyebrow. “Does a certain Finn River Deputy have anything to do with it?”

Her cheeks flush. “We just danced.”

“You guys looked pretty cute together.”

She shakes her head. “I can’t.”

I’m about to ask what exactly shecan’twhen she gives me another quick hug. “Thanks again,” she says, then slips into the crowd.

Hutch comes in behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “There’s my gorgeous wife.” He plants a kiss to my temple. “Dance with me.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

I slip inside Glory Holes,stifling my groan as a cloud of sweet cinnamon and fresh dough hits my senses. I would still love being a medic for Evergreen Hospital and co-leading Bitterroot County’s Search and Rescue without donuts, but it’s a pretty incredible perk. Everett steps inside as soon as I shuffle to the back of the line.

“It always smells like heaven in here,” he says over the steady whir of the espresso machine blending with the hum of conversation.

“It’s part of why we all love it so much,” I reply, scanning the shelves of donut holes as the line shuffles forward.

“How’s the farm?” he asks, hooking his thumb on his toolbelt.

“Slowing down a little now,” I reply.

“Beth doing okay on her own?” he asks.

“Her flower crowns were a hit at the farmer’s market this summer.”

We’ve closed down the horse boarding, and last month, we sold four acres to our neighbor who wanted to expand his farm. Beth wanted to keep the house and the flower business, so Avaand I are building on the opposite end of the property. We love being close to her and the land Mom loved so much, and Ava is excited to help care for the horses.

“How’s Logan?” I ask him as the couple in front of us places their order with Miranda, the owner, while one of the helpers dances between the cases to fill it.

His face lights up. “He’s good. Middle school’s been an adjustment though. So much homework.” He shakes his head. “Thank goodness for my family’s help.”

“How are they doing?”

“You probably see Cam more than I do,” he says with a chuckle.

He’s likely right. When Cam and Wilder aren’t moving cattle for Crescent Bar Ranch, they orbit Beth like satellites.

“Linden’s finally back on shift after his shoulder injury. Edie’s still running the Finn River Ranch Daycare,” Everett continues, “I’d be lost without both of their help with Logan. And Mom finally went down to half time.”

“She’s still teaching?” I say, shaking my head. June Rumsey not only raised four foster sons alongside Edie but has been a kindergarten teacher at Huckleberry Elementary since before I moved to Finn River.

“She says she won’t retire until Dad does.”

I laugh. “Sounds like June.”

“Hey, Hutch!” Miranda says with a smile as we step up to the cashier. “I hear congratulations are in order!”

“Thank you,” I say, giving the underside of my wedding ring a stroke with my thumb, an unconscious habit I’ve developed when Ava’s not with me. It grounds me in the best way.

I place my order, a mix and match of Boston Cream, plain, and Fudge Heaven, and a large coffee. Everett adds his and we carry our coffees to a table facing the big windows.

“I think I have a good idea of how to fund the new training program you’re after,” Everett says, taking a sip of his coffee.

“I hope it’s better than that state grant.” I shake my head.

“Yeah, it’s?—”

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