Page 76 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

She shook her head. “First I want to know the answer.” She glanced at the few people sitting at tables, then grabbed my left hand. “I had to check.”

I rolled my eyes. Her reaction made my news seem anti-climactic.

“Leaning forward, I whispered, “I moved to the ranch... intomy owncabin.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You didn’t break things off with Garrett?”

“Of course she didn’t.” Eli licked his fingers. “Didn’t you see the way she looked at him when they posed for pictures at the reception? I like both of them but the cinnamon one is my favorite.”

Delaney’s jaw dropped open. “You ate both of them? Did you leave me even a bite?”

As he pulled out his wallet, Eli flashed his get-out-of-trouble smile, which usually worked on everyone except his mom. “Tessa, could I get two doughnuts? The new flavors.”

“Coming right up.” I set them on the counter. “Do y’all want coffee?”

Delaney nodded. “I want a cup, but none for him.”

“I have to figure out how to sleep today so I can work tonight.”

“Go soak in the hot tub. It’s very relaxing.” I handed Delaney a to-go cup. “Then you’ll be able to sleep.”

She pressed a kiss to Eli’s cheek. “Maybe I should open late and come join you.”

“No hanky-panky in my hot tub. Get your own if you want to do that.” I laughed as Eli spun around and walked right out the door.

“The two of you crack me up. Y’all are more like siblings than cousins.” Delaney took a bite of a doughnut and gasped. “This is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it. Garrett inspired the new flavors.”

“Interesting. Since you didn’t argue with Eli, I’m guessing he’s right. And I want to hear all about it. You free tonight?”

“I’d love to get together. Text me.” I ran around the counter and hugged her. “And I want to hear aboutyourweek. But only parts of it.”

She grabbed the other doughnut. “Noted. I’m off to the store... to order myself a few new things.”

I covered my ears. “Don’t want to hear it.”

Laughing, Delaney waved over her shoulder as she strolled out. “I like the chocolate chip flavor best.”

I watchedas Delaney settled herself in the hot tub. “It’s perfect, isn’t it? I’m in love.”

“With him or with the hot tub?” Delaney splashed me.

“Yes.”

She waved her hands. Start at the beginning. “Eli and I left the reception, and...”

“And Garrett asked if I wanted to talk in the hot tub after he finished up with ranch chores. I told him no because I wanted time to think.”

“Tessa! That poor man.”

“Yeah. And then I snuck away to the shop and made doughnuts all night. With my phone off. I knew the gist of what I wanted to say to him, but I wanted it to be more than words. I wanted to show him like he’d shown me.”

Her eyes widened.

“Garrett pounded on the door at three in the morning. I felt bad that I’d worried him, but his coming after me in the middle of the night was just another confirmation that he’s what I want.” I smiled as a figure walked around the privacy screen.

“Knock, knock. Garrett’s wine delivery service.” He tipped his hat. “I’m not going to crash your party, but I thought y’all might be thirsty.”

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