Page 84 of Wylder Ranch
“Six years, Stor. Six fucking years?—”
“What do you want from me?” Story’s calm goes from zero to a hundred, her arms thrown in the air.
“Absolutely fucking nothing,” he snaps. “Which is exactly what I’ve been getting.”
From the way she stands there and stares at him, I get the sense she was expecting this visit. Therefore, she had prepped herself on how to deal with an incensedHendricks, who was clenching his teeth so tightly I’d be surprised if he didn’t break a molar.
I try to look away, pretend I’m doing anything else but snooping, but my eyes keep drifting back over. I also don’t realize I’m holding my breath waiting for one of them to break until I’m gasping for oxygen, but they’re still standing there glaring.
And weirdly, while I shouldn’t be witnessing this and feel like whatever’s going on between them, I should take Hendricks’s side out of loyalty to Alex, I’m rooting for Story. There’s something about her squared shoulders and determined pursed mouth that makes me think Hendricks fucked up. Especially when he finally storms off.
I want to check on her because it’s obvious she’s upset, but I don’t want to interrupt or make an awkward situation more awkward, so I wait until she’s done rubbing her fingers along her brow.
“Sorry you had to see that,” she says wearily, her voice heavy with emotion before it brightens. “But it has nothing to do with the trees, in case you’re wondering. The trees are excellent. No drop needles, super piney scent. The best trees.”
“I can see that.” I smile, stepping forward. “Are you okay?”
She nods. “Yeah, fine. Just . . . you know . . .boys. Idiots, am I right?”
I smirk. “Yup. They sure are.”
“And I don’t mean to be rude, but I need to close up for the day.”
I wave her off. “Say no more, totally get it. I’ll come by during the week.”
She doesn’t look at me again, and as it’s starting to getdark, Everly and I make our way home, walking slower this time so we can appreciate the twinkly lights.
Alex isn’t there when we return, so I take Everly upstairs to hang out in the nursery. We read books, do a little tummy time, and eventually, I feed her, and then we get ready for bed. I mull over checking on Alex, but instead, we run a bubble bath that we get in together, which is how Alex finds us.
“What’s happening here then? Hello, my favorite girls.” He kneels on the bath rug, scoops a handful of bubbles, and blows them into the air, before greeting me with a kiss.
Everly kicks her feet out, splashing us both.
Alex laughs and wipes the droplets from his face. He switches on Everly’s favorite toy, a little duck that swims around, and I watch him watch her with a smile growing on his face.
“Hey there.”
He leans in for another kiss. “How was the village?”
Alex only needs to take one look at my face to know exactly how I felt walking down the Valentine High Street with Everly.
“That good, huh?”
My voice comes out all dreamy. “It’s so perfect, Alex.”
“It’s pretty special.” He smiles. “And what did Everly think?”
“Oh, she was definitely excited.”
“Then she’sdefinitelyher mother’s daughter.” Alex drops a kiss on my nose, as his phone beeps with a message. “Hold that thought, Miles is downstairs, I’ll be back. Wait for me before you do bedtime.”
I stare at Everly when he sprints out. The warmth ofthe water has given her cheeks a pink hue, and she looks so sweet. I can’t stand it. “Huh. Where’s Daddy gone?”
We’re so content playing in the water that I’m only wrapping a towel around us by the time Alex returns.
“How’s Miles?” I ask, as he takes Everly so I can run and get dressed, quickly throwing on the too big sweatpants and a hoodie of Alex’s.
“Oh, you know, same as he always is,” he replies when I return, laying her down on her changing table so he can get her ready for bed. “But tell me about your afternoon. What was your favorite bit?”
