Page 27 of Forever in the Country

“Hey,” I say defeatedly as I pull the door open and find not only her, but Hannah too.

“Hey yourself,” Isla says as she walks past me.

Hannah gives me a rueful smile. “We share a wall, Cupcake.”

Fuck my life.

I really needed to remember that Hannah’s bookstore, Wandering Pages, was connected to my bakery. My brother Case turned the vacant side of my building into Hannah’s dream and I couldn’t lie—it still made my eyes tear up a little.

Taking a cleansing breath, I close the door and then follow them into the kitchen where I find a broom in the pantry and start cleaning up my mess.

The Cheerios at least.

“How did you find me?” I ask even though I’m not sure I want to know.

Isla gives me an annoyed look. “Traced your phone.”

“What?” I screech and Hannah snickers.

“I’m kidding.” I stare at Isla expectantly. “What? What good is having a private investigator on retainer if I can’t use him?”

“Isla…” I warn and she coughs out a laugh.

“Fine. I had to grab something from the cabin and asked my dad to come over and stay with the babies so I could get it.” She shrugs. “I saw the lights on and Colt always tells us when he’s coming. It wasn’t hard to put together.”

“They were on for like two seconds.”

“Well then, it was a poorly planned two seconds on your part.”

“Did you guys tell my brothers I’m here?” They shake their heads and I blow out a breath then narrow my eyes at Hannah. “Wait. So how are you here?”

“I knew Hank came to close up the bakery, so I texted Isla because I was worried.” When I don’t respond she adds, “Seriously, we share a wall and I’m nosy.”

For someone who had such a hard time putting down roots, Hannah had acclimated to the small town busybody life pretty quickly.

“Want to talk about why you’re not climbing Sorren Mackay like a tree right now and why he’s especially murderous?” Isla asks, focusing the attention back on me?

Clutching the broom to my chest, I look up at them and give a sad smile. “Because he doesn’t want me.”

Isla snorts. “Yeah…” she drawls. “He doesn’t want you almost as much as Hank is a little protective over his kids.”

“It’s not the same thing.”

“Isn’t it though?” Isla asks.

“He literally said it.”

“Those exact words?” Hannah presses.

“I, uh…” I look away quickly, my eyes blinking fast to stop the tears. “I kissed him. After the wedding we were at with Hayden and Everett.” Turning back, I meet her gaze. “He was mad and things haven’t been the same, but they were fine and then yesterday I’d just had enough.”

It wasn’t all of it but it was all I could give. I’d left my heart on the floor of the bakery and I wasn’t sure if I was more mad at him or me. I’d been so stupid to think if I just gave him time he’d come around.

“Hold on,” Hannah says. “I need details on that kiss.”

“The kiss is irrelevant,” I hiss.

“Uh, the kiss is totally relevant,” Isla adds. “Did he kiss you back? Was it mind-blowing?”

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