Page 101 of My Wife
Cara says, “Where do you find these people?”
I shrug. “I’m just really friendly.”
“Or you attract them like stray cats, er, lizards.”
Whit, as sharp as a whip, talks about self-worth and boundaries, bad relationships, and the good ones to hang onto.
Cara grips my arm. “That’s why we can’t let you wander off to another square state.”
“What’s wrong with Wyoming?” I mentioned the possibility of moving there this summer last time we texted after I saw a social media ad for a dude ranch that was hiring.
“Nothing, but maybe don’t be so eager to leave,” Cara says.
If I don’t make a move first, everyone else is bound to make their exit. This has been true all my life.
Ella says, “I wasn’t sure what to think of Cobbiton when I first got here, but even with its quirks, I don’t think you’ll find any lizard cults.”
“Just fans of hockey.”
“And corn.”
“Plus, you have a great job,” Cara chimes.
The goal is to save up and then find the place where I belong with the people I belong to. As the conversation shifts to the Hockey Days event Leah is planning for next year, I guess being back in Cobbiton isn’t the worst … for now.
After I promise to bake a Bundt for the next book club, I head over to the loft. A large white box sits on the table. The tag with the satin ribbon has my name on it.
I open the lid and tears threaten, then fall. My shoulders shake because the last time I wore a gown was to my wedding that wasn’t.
A little hand silently slides into mine before I realize Liam and KJ are home. I squeeze his hand and hug him before he scatters to play with his new Legos. He’s building an arena—yes, already. The kid is going places. Hockey majors, probably the Hall of Fame.
Liam strides over and concern lashes his features.
“Did someone hurt you?” he asks.
I nod while saying, “No.”
The man looks murderous. “Yes? No? Which is it?”
This is the second time I’ve fallen apart in front of this man, but in this instance, it’s not because of the past. Rather, in the very near future, I’m afraid someone is going to get their heart broken and her name starts with the letter J.
My phone beeps and I ignore it in favor of the hug. Whatever Rexlan wants will have to wait. Possibly forever because with sunshine and sparkles on my side, I’m going to see this through until the crush goes away. Or Liam realizes that I’m just a silly girl with stars in her eyes and leaves me, the same as everyone else. Like Gracie’s love stories, it will come to an end.
But the kiss he presses to my forehead when my tears stop, tells me I don’t want it to.
* * *
After more thana few goodbye hugs with KJ and Grandma Dolly, Liam and I leave for Colorado.
“Did you bring the dress?” he asks when we’re already in the air.
“Yes, boss.”
His lips form a thin line. “Are you going to wear it?”
“Are you going to use your manners?”
He looks at me blankly as if so pre-programmed to disconnect from the potential for emotion, he has forgotten how to operate like a human.
