Page 56 of A Montana Secret Admirer
No, that wasn’t right.
This was more than that.
Serenity had started out as a small little snowball, gently bouncing down a slope that quite possibly wouldn’t have gone anywhere, but at some point, she’d veered completely off course, and now she was gaining speed.
She was catapulting down the steep incline, and there would be no stopping the massive destruction that would await her at the bottom.
She was falling, all right. But she was also on a collision course—and one she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to avoid.
Tegan was still moody—far moodier than any seven-year-old should be. He’d refused to talk to her about how his ride with Reese had gone.
Nope. He had remained as tight-lipped as possible. And when she’d given Reese a questioning glance, she wasn’t givenanything she could work with. He’d simply shrugged. What was she supposed to do with that reaction? How was she supposed to help her son when she didn’t know what was wrong?
They spent the evening out at the main house with all the cousins. Bo and his wife Gabby had insisted on hosting a barbecue for everyone. Even some of the employees who weren’t family had shown up. Serenity had practically tripped over children three times already.
At this point, she was content to sit at a table with her sister and Hallie, who she’d learned was Noah’s cousin. Boy, they had a big family.
Hallie’s eyes were on a young man who stood with some of the cowboys who worked the ranch. Every so often. he’d look in her direction, and Hallie would look away.
Jane hadn’t seemed to notice. Instead, her eyes were pinned to where Reese was playing with Jessi and a few other boys who had all decided now would be the perfect time to tackle Reese to the ground.
He could have left the pileup at any moment, but he hadn’t yet.
Nope, the man she was quickly falling for was flat on his back with four boys who were all under the age of five dog-piling him. He was laughing and groaning, the latter causing the children to laugh along with him.
When Serenity glanced back to Jane, she startled. There was a contemplative look on her sister’s face, her lips thinned into a line. “Why are you smiling like that?” Jane asked.
Serenity attempted to wave her off, especially now that Hallie had decided this was the time to actually participate in their conversation. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jane smirked. “We both know that’s not the case. You can’t lie to me.”
“And that smile isn’t doing you any favors, either,” Hallie laughed. Her focus shifted to Reese, and she shook her head. “He’s always been good with kids.”
“Yeah, that’s what I heard,” Jane mused. “Noah insisted he would be the best fit for the therapy program we’re working on.”
“How’sthatgoing?” Hallie asked, mercifully drawing Jane’s focus away from Serenity and her goofy grin.
All wasn’t right in Serenity’s world, even if she was smiling more and enjoying the attention of someone who might be able to heal her broken soul. Serenity shot a look over to the swing set, where Tegan was rocking back and forth beside a little girl who looked to be about his age. She belonged to one of the Reese men who ran the ranch. Bo, Jack, and Daniel all had daughters, based on the observations Serenity had managed to make thus far this summer.
Tegan wasn’t smiling, but the girl was. Their swings were synced up at the moment. Serenity frowned as she continued to watch them. If he would smile just once, then she’d force herself to give him space and accept that he just needed time. Lately, his smiles had gotten fewer and further in between.
She heaved a sigh, turning her attention back to Jane and Hallie.
Hallie laughed. “I’m not surprised about Leo. He’s one of the most stubborn guys I know.” Her eyes inadvertently flicked tothe man she’d been watching. This time, Jane did notice, and her eyes narrowed as she smiled at Hallie.
“What abouthim?”
“Who?” Hallie asked so innocently that Serenity couldn’t help but believe her.
Jane jerked her head toward the cowboys just as the guy looked in their direction. Hallie picked up a grape from her plate and popped it into her mouth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You meanwho.”
“Hmm?” Hallie asked, still chewing.
“Who’s that guy?”
She didn’t even bother looking. “I think his name is Jacob? I don’t know. He’s Mack’s friend.”
