Page 78 of Samuel

“Yeah.” She moved her hand and pushed Sam’s away.

“Evie, I?—”

A familiar black truck with the Red River Ranch logo on the side pulled into the parking lot and Sam wanted to curse. Fucking Derrick taking Evie home. At least he knew she would be safe, but she shouldn’t be going anywhere with him. Sam had royally fucked everything up.

“There’s Derrick.” She stood and moved away from Sam, plastering a smile on her face as the truck approached.

“You don’t have to go back with him. I’ll take you back myself right now. There’s still so much we need to talk about.”

“We’ve already been over this. Your sister wants you here. All your friends are back inside waiting on you. Go. It’ll just keep being awkward if I’m there. And it’ll be even worse if you leave with me right now. Go, Sam. I’m fine.”

Everything about her, from the way she was standing too rigid, to how the corners of her eyes crinkled like she was in pain, screamed that she was anything but fine.

The truck pulled to a stop in front of them and Derrick hopped out of the driver's seat, his eyes darting between Samand Evie, clearly picking up on the strained atmosphere between the two of them.

“Sam.” Derrick removed his hat and smoothed a hand through his hair. At least his ranch hand had the decency to look nervous.

“Derrick. Thanks for giving Evie a ride back to the ranch. You make sure she gets back safe and sound.”

“Of course, Boss Man. It’s no problem. You ready to go, Evie? I just need to finish sending off this text and we can take off.”

Evie turned towards the truck, not looking at Sam again before she started walking away. “I’ll see you tomorrow in the office, Sam.”

“Yeah. Tomorrow.”

Twenty

“You okay, Evie?” Derrick hadn’t stopped glancing over at her since she’d gotten in the truck. Probably didn’t help that she hadn’t been able to stop crying since they drove away from the bar. He’d waited a long time, to be fair, but clearly pulling into the ranch’s driveway meant it was time to check in on her.

“Fine.”

“Alright, then. My mama always taught me never to push a lady to talk, but if you need to get something out in the open, I’ve always been a good listener.”

“I’m sorry. I appreciate that Derrick, but you’ve done me a big favor already by just driving me back.”

“Did Sam upset you? I can’t imagine he’d be too pleased to know you were in my truck crying up a storm.”

She shuddered. “No. And I’d appreciate it if we could just keep this between the two of us. It’s honestly nothing. Jellybean just makes me cry sometimes.”

“She’s getting big lately.”

Evie must have given him some sort of look because Derrick laughed and held up his hand innocently. “You’vebeen rubbing your back more often when you come out to see the horses in the morning. My sister was the same way when she had my nephews. But it suits you.”

“Being the size of a whale?” she scoffed.

He laughed again. “Bringing new life into the world.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “That was a really kind thing to say. Thank you.”

“Well, it’s the truth.” He parked the truck in front of the barn and hopped out, making his way to her door.

“You need help getting up to your apartment?” he asked as he held out his hand to help her down.

“No, thank you, though. I think I’ll take a little trip to see Jasper and then I’ll head up.”

“Sure thing, Miss Evie. Have a good night.”

“Thanks, Derrick. You too.”

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