Page 116 of Wylder Ranch
“How do you feel about her coming back?”
His eyes are glistening when he looks up at me. “I thought I’d be okay, but fuck if my heart’s not broken all over again.”
Jesus. I think about Lando and me this past year. Both of us openly wearing our heartbreak and sorrow, then here’s Hendricks silently holding himself together for the past six years. I’m wondering if there’s a different reason he’s so much quieter than he used to be, and it has nothing to do with Max.
“Hen, are you in love with Story MacIntosh?”
His nod is so sorrowful I feel my throat thickening. “I always loved her, but I didn’t realize I was in love until it was too late. Then Sienna told me she was pregnant, and the rest is history.”
Reaching over, I squeeze his shoulder. “Hen, the only thing I know is if you still love her, you can fix it. Do you know when she’s going back to Australia?”
“That’s the thing. She’s not. There was a note in Max’s end-of-term report. She will be his new teacher in January. I’ll see her every morning. I thought I’d gotten over my anger, but seeing her at the tree stand brought it all back. It’s also made me realize how much I’ve missed her. How much I’m still in love with her.” His head drops into his hands. “I’m so fucked, Al.”
“Oh, mate. I’m sorry. We’ll fix it. I can do school drop-offs if you want, or Haven and I both can. If you don’t want to see her, then you don’t have to.”
“Thanks.” He sighs so heavily it makes my heart ache. “Six fuckingyears.”
I’m at a loss for words. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so melancholy. But the second Max rushes back with a bag full of cinnamon buns, it disappears, and I can’t decide if that’s worse.
“Okay, we need to head back to the cabin.” He stands and scoops Max up, then pulls Haven into a hug. “Welcome to the family. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks, Hendricks.” She smiles.
His eyes flick to mine. “See you on the slopes at lunch?”
I nod. “Yeah. We’ll be there.”
Through the window, we watch them walk away down the street. Max is holding the bag of pastries with one hand, the other wrapped around Hendricks’s neck, both wearing the same black puffa jackets, jeans, and boots. Carbon copies of each other.
“Is he okay?”
“Not sure.” I turn to Haven and slip my arm aroundher shoulders. “You want to head back to the house?”
“Yes, let’s go. Everly’s nap time is coming up.”
“Then lead the way, future wife of mine.”
While Haven settles Everly down, I make myself useful by organizing all our ski equipment and loading it into the car to drive over to the cabin everyone’s staying in. My snowboard’s by the back door, and I check it’s still in one piece, because Miles was in charge of packing them, and you never know.
I’m laying out all my ski clothes when Haven walks into the bedroom.
“Babe, where are your skis? I couldn’t find them to put in the car. Birgitta’s coming in thirty minutes to stay with Everly, then we can leave.”
“Actually, I think I’m going to stay instead of skiing, d’you mind?” Leaving her phone on the dresser, she slips her arms around my neck. But catching the sparkle of her ring, I hold her hand instead so she flexes her fingers against my chest and stares. “It’s going to take me so long to get used to it.” Her green eyes sparkle brighter than any ring when she peers up at me. “I love you.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come and show it off?”
“Yeah, actually I don’t feel so good?—”
My hand presses onto her forehead. “Are you getting sick?”
She shrugs. “It’s probably jet lag. Anyway, I can’t get sick. Holiday, Clemmie, and Saylor are coming over, and we’re going to hang with Everly.” Her eyebrows waggle. “Maybe I’ll plan an entire renovation while you’re gone.”
I laugh. “Okay, you do that.”
“Any requests?”
I respond with a kiss, adding, “Yes. A shower big enough for two. And a bath. And an enormous bed.”
