Page 116 of Heart & Hope

I all but fly into his arms as he turns to me. It’s stupid, I know. But a sensation akin to someone pulling my insides out through my teeth is unfolding at seeing Mack leave his brothers, his parents. They have a bond and love that I have never experienced, and it has me all messed up.

I clear my throat, not letting the emotion show through. That’s what we’re supposed to do, isn’t it? Be brave. Pray he comes home safe. I catch a glimpse of Reed, his face twitching as he struggles to hold his jaw slammed shut, his eyes shiny.

This is eating him up.

I push from Mack’s hold and plant a kiss on his cheek. “Make sure you come back.”

He salutes with two fingers to his forehead, but he’s not looking at me. His gaze is set on Reed.

I turn and wander back to Reed’s side, sliding my hand into his before Mack has the chance to notice the silver that’s flooded my eyes. Lacing my fingers with Reed’s, I lean into him as Addy and Huddo crowd Mack. Hudson slaps him on the back, and Addy pulls Mack’s head into a one-armed embrace as he leans down to her. Everything is so intimate.

So raw.

The air is so damn thin.

A woman’s voice announces boarding over the PA system.

I blow out a breath. As one, the Rawlins family take a step back, like old habit. A routine they have been through many times. Mack shakes Harry’s hand and lands one last kiss on Louisa’s cheek before plucking up his army-issued duffel from the floor and walking toward gate number one.

Harry tucks Lou under his arm, saying something to her softly. When she nods and they turn and walk from the building,Addy and Hudson do the same. But Reed stands staring at his brother’s receding form. Like some unspoken rule, Mack turns back at the gate’s entrance and waves with a bright smile.

Reed’s nostrils flare, his entire body tensing, but he returns the wave.

“Hey,” I whisper, standing in his field of vision, hands on his face. “You will see him again. Okay?”

He doesn’t respond.

He’s barely breathing.

Taking his hand, I lead him into the weak sunshine of the late-fall mid-morning sun. We have the inn’s opening gala tonight. And, despite the overwhelming want to run back to the ranch and hide under the covers and hold Reed for hours, I have work to do.

I can’t mess up this event. And it has to go perfectly. Because if our fake marriage, with this relationship that doesn’t feel so fake anymore, gets back to Mary-Sue I will have a catastrophe on my hands. And no amount of pleading will land me back in Olive’s good books.

My phone buzzes in the back pocket of my jeans. I slip it out and tap the screen. Two messages. Three missed calls from the lawyer.

I open the message from Olive.

Make sure tonight goes off without issue. I will see you back in the office first thing Monday morning.

I tap out a reply and check the next message.

The lawyer. I tap his name and read the text twice. And on the third pass, my gut sinks.

A notification pings on the ranch’s socials. I tap it open. I don’t believe my eyes. My mouth gapes.

Two reviews for R & R Ranch, the grand opening flagged, both one-star reviews. The sentiments are beyond harsh. They are flat-out trolling the business. The names that sign them off hit harder than it should.

Skye S

Starr M

I glance at Reed. I can’t show him this. Not now.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

REED

The only silver lining attached to this day is being with Ruby for the gala. Getting to be with her in her element. The tight evening dress that sweeps over her hips and dusts the floor in a stunning red silk is helping.

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