Page 59 of Knot Your Problem, Cowboy
“Do I tell them I have it? Warn them they’re not being as discreet as they think? Or do I delete it and pretend I never saw anything?”
I study the photo again. The way they’re holding each other speaks of desperation, of stolen moments. “Delete it,” I say finally.
“You think?”
“You want to start a war between the families? This is their secret. Their choice.”
June sighs. “Yeah, but wouldn’t you want to know if someone had evidence of your secret relationship? So you could be more careful?”
Now it’s my turn to sigh. “I guess.”
“Ladies!” Loretta’s voice cuts through our whispered conversation. “We’re starting again! So glad to have fresh blood here. New perspectives are always welcome!”
June quickly shuts off the camera and tucks it away, and we settle back in for round two of the most chaotic book club I’ve ever experienced.
The rest of the evening passes in a blur of increasingly wild discussions, more wine than is probably wise, and laughter that makes my sides ache. These women have thoughts about demon anatomy, the implications of soul-claiming through orgasm, and whether the heroine should have just given in by chapter three to save everyone time.
“I mean, seven orgasms to claim her soul?” Karen says, adjusting her boa for the hundredth time. “That seems like a pretty good deal. My first husband couldn’t even manage one most nights.”
“That’s why he’s your ex,” Dolly points out.
I nearly spit out my wine from laughing.
By the time we finally leave, it’s nearly eleven and Front Street is quiet except for the occasional passingtruck. June and I stand outside the bookshop, me slightly giggly from wine and the absurdity of the evening. She stuck to water most of the night, clearly the smarter one.
“That was…” I search for words.
“Insane? Ridiculous? The best night ever!” June supplies, linking our arms again.
“All of the above.” I lean into her slightly, feeling wonderfully loose and happy. “Thank you for bringing me. I needed this.”
“Hey, what are new friends for if not to drag you into demon-themed book discussions with the town’s most colorful ladies?”
We stroll slowly toward where June parked. The stars are bright overhead, and I think about Ridge teaching me constellations, about Walker’s kiss, about Cash’s devious grin. About three cowboys sitting in a diner, watching over me from afar.
“You know,” June says thoughtfully. “Those boys of yours might be onto something with the whole protective thing. Not that you need protecting, but… it’s nice. Having people who care.”
“Yeah,” I agree softly. “It is.”
By the time we reach her car, I’m still smiling. My cheeks hurt in the best way. I’ve laughed a lot with Meredith back in Chicago, and tonight reminded me of that easy kind of joy. But this feels different, too. Like something inside me unclenched. I wasn’t overthinking or pretending or trying to hold it all together.
And here, in this small Montana town, I feel more like myself than I have in years.
“Same time next month?” June asks as she unlocks her car and we get in.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I say and mean it. “What’s the next book?”
“Something about a vampire motorcycle club. Loretta’s already planning a leather theme.”
“Of course she is.”
We’re both laughing as June drives me back to the ranch, windows down to let in the cool night air.
Tonight, I’m just a girl who made a friend, joined a ridiculous book club, and laughed until her face hurt.
For now, that’s enough.
13
