Page 96 of Stay for Forever

Chapter 32

The more people I get to know, the more I love my dogs.

“Oh, Juniper. Wherefore art thou, Juniper?”

I lift my head from where I’m measuring the feed for the fennec foxes and glance over to find Ashlyn strolling toward me. “I’m standing in front of you. What are you doing here?”

Ashlyn avoids the Wildlife Refuge like the plague. Despite living with me and my animals for the year after she came home upon graduating college, my baby sister is not what I’d refer to as an animal lover. At most, she tolerates animals.

“I’m here to take your mind off of your troubles.”

I narrow my eyes on her. “What troubles?”

“Please, don’t try and deny it. I know you’re bummed Rickie went to LA without you. You must be missing him.”

I wish missing him was my sole problem. I’m trying hard to have faith in him and our relationship, but it’s difficult when I’m confronted with pictures of him all over the entertainment news. He looks like the glamorous movie star he is.

I frown down at the threadbare and filthy coveralls I’m wearing. What the hell is he doing with me? And why is it so fricking hard to switch off the entertainment news?

“Is everyone calling him Rickie now?” I ask because I don’t want to talk about my insecurities.

Ashlyn wouldn’t understand. Her and insecure are not friends. They’re not even acquaintances. The woman never wavered in her belief she could make Rowan love her. Judging by the ring on her finger and the baby in her belly, she was right.

“It’s easier to keep fans off his trail if we call him Rickie.”

My hands fist. “Fans. Are they in Winter Falls again? Do I need to grab my pitchfork?” I mentally add ‘buy pitchfork’ to my to-do list.

She waves away my concerns. “No need for your pitchfork yet.”

“Your idea of getting my ‘mind off my troubles’ is reminding me of Mav’s fans?”

My baby sister’s mind works in mysterious ways. I’ve given up trying to understand her.

“No. Duh.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m here to escort you to a cake tasting.”

My ears perk up at the word ‘cake’. Nevertheless, I have to ask, “Cake tasting? Why are we tasting cake?”

“Ellery wants to try out some flavors for her wedding.”

I raise my eyebrows. “We’re tasting cake for Ellery’s wedding? Aspen is going to lose her mind.”

She smirks. “I know.”

“You didn’t tell Aspen why we’re meeting, did you?”

“Do I look like an amateur to you?”

“Do I have time to shower and change?”

Her nose wrinkles. “Not only do you have time. I’m going to have to insist you change before you step inside of Bake Me Happy.”

“Rowan’s making the cake?” Bake Me Happy is his bakery.

“Of course, my husband is making the cake. Is there another fabulous baker in Winter Falls I don’t know about?”

I don’t bother responding to her question. “Let me get changed.”

My office at the Wildlife Refuge has a bathroom complete with a shower and bathtub. I quickly shower before dressing in the clothes I wore to work.

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