Page 114 of Wylder Ranch
“Even better.”
The bell rings above the door as we step inside. It’s not as busy as I remember even though there’s still a queue. Booths are set up along the wall by the windows, all of them full, so I guess we’re not staying. It’s only when I get a proper look at everyone sitting down that I recognize the customers in the last one, just as they spot us.
“It’s my cousin!” Max screeches as he slides along the leather seating and sprints over, narrowly missing a woman carrying a full basket of cookies.
Hendricks is still shaking his head in despair when I reach him. “Morning.”
“Good morning. What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about cinnamon buns. So I brought Max.” He grins and pats the table. “These booths are cool.”
Haven nods. “I know. They’ve been super populartoo.”
He reaches up to take Everly’s finger. “What are you guys doing?”
My eyes meet Haven’s. “Celebrating.”
“Celebrating what?”
Pulling her hand from her pocket, she thrusts it toward Hendricks. There’s so much excitement on her face, I think my heart might burst. Marrying someone was never a particular goal of mine, but hell, if I’m not even more excited than Haven is.
“Holy. ..” He looks at Max, also staring at the ring, then back at us. “Sausages.”
“What?”
“Miles swears enough for all of us.” His eyes slice to Max again. “But this is amazing news, congratulations.” He slips out of the booth and pulls us both into a hug. “I’m very happy for you. Look, Maxy.”
Max runs his fingers over the smooth cut of the stone. “It’s very sparkly.”
“Sure is,” I reply as Hendricks sits back down, sliding along to make room for us.
It’s the first time I take a proper look at him. There are dark circles under his eyes, a pale tint to his skin, and he doesn’t seem to have shaved in weeks. There’s a weariness present that’s more than jet lag. It’s like the world is weighing on him.
“Are you okay?”
He nods. “Tired.”
Except it’s more than that. I can tell.
This guy barely sleeps during calving season, hasn’t had a lie-in since Max was born, and still stays superchilled when most of us would be tearing our hair out. With Max, he rarely gets a day off, and even with all the help from my mother and having a nanny, I don’t know how he does it.
“When are we going skiing?”
“Max has a lesson this afternoon.”
“Yay, skiing,” says Max. He excitedly leans across the table, knocking hot chocolate everywhere. All down his jeans, but mostly over Hendricks.
“Sorry, Daddy.”
“It’s okay, buddy. Accidents happen.” He sighs, snatching a fistful of napkins to mop up as much as he can. “We’ll get it all cleaned.”
I don’t know if Haven notices something’s different about Hendricks this morning, too, because she holds her hand out to Max and takes Everly from me.
“Hey, Maxy, want to come with Everly to get washed, then I’ll take you to see where they add all the cinnamon to the buns.”
“In the kitchen?”
“Exactly. In the kitchen. We can take some back for Uncle Miles and Auntie Clemmie.”
