Page 5 of Flippin' Cowboy
She pointed at a pair of brown velvet-upholstered barrel chairs on the other side of the coffee table. They were not only unsightly but uncomfortable, too, and she’d never understood Geoff’s insistence on keeping them.
“Gotcha,” said Brock.
With great satisfaction, Winnie watched Spring and Brock carry the chairs out of the apartment before getting into Spring’s big Ford F150 pickup, which had “Snowberry Springs Ranch” decals on the doors, and heading off to the U-Haul store.
Over the next two hours, Winnie and her sisters filled boxes with Geoff’s books, knickknacks, computer hard drives, clothes, shoes, and other personal items while Brock and Spring carried them outside.
Winnie’s muscles were aching and her abused feet were sore by the time the last boxes were on their way downstairs, but she felt better. Lighter, somehow.
Changed my mind about doing you a favor, she texted Geoff with satisfaction.Packed up all your belongings. Come and get them.
His reply came almost instantly.Have a heart, Winnie. It’s my wedding day!
Don’t I know it, she texted in response.
His reply came a minute later. I thought you’d understand. Instead, you’re focusing on yourself. As usual. Thanks for confirming that we were never meant to be.
Winnie sucked in her breath with outrage. But before she could respond to him, Autumn snatched her phone out of her hands.
“Let me handle this,” she said grimly. “I’m used to dealing with nasty little trolls on Instagram and other places.”
Winnie tailed her sister downstairs, where Autumn snapped a photo of the apartment building’s front lawn, now crowded with stacked boxes and furniture. She sent it to Geoff.
Come by whenever you like,she typed.Your stuff is here waiting for youwhenever you decide to make an appearance.I wouldn’t wait too long, though.
Smirking, she rapidly swiped and tapped a few more times before returning the phone to Winnie. “There. Now it’s his problem. Hope you don’t mind, but I blocked him on email, phone, and all your social media. You won’t have to deal with any more of his BS.”
Winnie hugged her. “Thank you. You’re the best!”
Autumn kissed Winnie’s hair. “Got to look out for my baby sister.”
Mission accomplished, everyone went back upstairs to Winnie’s much emptier apartment.
Brock and Summer made cocktails for all, then cooked a delicious version of Winnie’s favorite pasta dish for dinner. Winnie couldn’t eat much, but her sisters kept the champagne flowing, until her misery dissolved into a warm haze.
Spring didn’t say much, but he did quietly clean the kitchen and load the dishwasher when everyone had finished eating.
At least my family has my back, Winnie thought, as she stumbled off to bed.I don’t know what I would do without them.
∞∞∞
Seattle, Washington
Saturday, November 10
“Well, the online gossip sites and celebrity news social media feeds are already speculating why Geoff left you at the altar, with a nasty side of ‘she had it coming for being so successful,’” Autumn reported glumly the next morning. “And Melanie posted a bunch of photos from that cute little B&B you booked for your honeymoon. Classy.” She grimaced and added, “Oh, and your wedding dress is trending on Instagram. Unfortunately, it’s with the hashtags #UglyWeddingDresses and #OhHoneyNo.” She sighed. “I really wish you’d taken Karla up on her suggestion to tell your side of the story.”
“I was afraid this might happen if Geoff and Melanie got to control the narrative,” Karla chimed in. “You need to craft a statement ASAP.”
“Something short and dignified,” Autumn said. “Maybe express surprise at the way Geoff and Melanie chose to announce their relationship, and wish them well in their new life together?”
“Seriously? Are you kidding me?” Winnie narrowed her eyes at her sister, trying to decide whether Autumn was pranking her.
“Hear me out,” Autumn said, raising one exquisitely manicured hand. “Geoff and Melanie have been posting nonstop about how awful you were to work with, and how your engagement to Geoff was a nothing but a sham you and Karla concocted for ratings.”
“—so we think it’s better to kill them with kindness, and bless their hearts,” Karla said, the usually faint flavor of Alabama inher voice suddenly growing stronger. “They’re trying to get you to lash out. It’s not gonna look good for them if you’re sweetness and light while they’re trying to drag you through the mud.”
She and Winnie’s relatives were seated around Winnie’s huge antique oak dining table. Normally it only seated six, but Autumn and Summer had inserted the leaves and hauled another six chairs out of the apartment’s storage closet.
