Page 41 of Where We Bloom

But today, my nerves are all over the place after everything that happened last weekend, then he showed up at my shop on Friday with this ridiculously expensivetrinket. I thought he was still messing with me. All week, I couldn’t figure him out. He looked so torn when he left me at my house on Sunday, and he sent flowers on Monday. And thennothingfor the rest of the week.

Until Friday, when he turned up in person and gifted me with a littletrinketfrom Ireland. Because apparently,he’d been thinking of me while he traveled. And I’d be lying if I said that didn’t make me feel good.

But a text would have sufficed. I don’t need expensive gifts.

I just want to talk to him.

I shake my head and pull my sunglasses off as I park in front of the family farmhouse. I’m here fairly early in the afternoon, but to my surprise, Bridger, Dani, and Birdie are already here.

This makes me happy because I’d like to talk to my girls before Connor arrives.

And I don’t have to go far to find them.

On the deep porch that wraps around the entire house, Dani and Skyla are curled up in what looks like new furniture, with a pitcher of something on ice and several glasses on a table next to them.

“You’re here,” Dani says with a bright smile. “And just in time. We made strawberry lemonade.”

“With no liquor, right?” Just the thought of drinking alcohol makes me sick to my stomach.

“No liquor,” Skyla confirms, and her eyes sober. “I’m so sorry, Bee.”

“Stop.” I wave her off and admire the furniture. It looks …cozy.Like you’d want to curl up and take a nap out here. “You guys already came and checked on me every day last week. You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m an adult, and we didn’t know a creep was at the bar that night. Now, tell me about this fabulous new furniture.”

I sit and draw my legs up under me, getting comfy as Dani pours me a cold drink.

Summer has its claws into Montana, and it’shot.But here, in the shade of the porch, with a light breeze blowing through, is lovely.

“I want to nap out here,” Skyla says, passing me a glass. “The second I first saw this porch, I knew it would be perfect for naps in the summertime, and this couch will be ideal for that.”

“I might join you,” I reply with a wink. “We can both fit.”

“You’re welcome anytime.” She grins.

Skyla’s been with my brother for several months and lives here on the farm with him. She has the prettiest red hair I’ve ever seen, with green eyes just like her brother’s, and she looks amazing today in a simple blue sundress.

Dani’s in black capri pants and a white T-shirt that shows off her curves, her dark hair up in a bun, and she’s watching me with those shrewd blue eyes.

Dani and I have sat on this porch together most of our lives. When we were kids, it was usually because she was running away from her abusive father, and we’d sit here, eating ice cream together.

I love that she’s married to Bridger. There was always magic between them and knowing they finally made their way to each other makes me so happy.

And the fact that my two best friends are with my brothers means I get to see them all the time, which is the best bonus ever.

“You’re quiet.” Dani interrupts my thoughts.

“I need advice,” I admit with a sigh, just as Skyla’s gaze falls to the necklace I’m wearing.

“Well, that’s lovely,” she says with a knowing smile. “Where did you get that new necklace, Bee?”

I bite my lip as Dani looks back and forth between us. “What am I missing?” she asks.

“That’s averynice Van Cleef & Arpels piece,” Skyla explains.

“I still don’t know what that means.” Dani shrugs.

“It’s a luxury jewelry brand.” I swallow hard. “It was a gift.”

Skyla’s already grinning.

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