Page 62 of Forever in the Country

Clearing my throat, I place the uneaten bite back on the plate. “It’s still new.”

“Y’all made quite a scene over in Blackstone Falls.”

“Mama!” I hiss and she laughs, with a twinkle in her eye I’d rather ignore.

“Not my fault you went out on a date with Colt Harrington.”

“It wasn’t a date. Colt and I are just friends commiserating over unrequited love.”

“Not very unrequited if the rumors are to be believed.”

“Mama,” I warn but her smile only grows.

“What? The whole town has been waitin’ with bated breath to see when the tension between you two would finally ignite.”

“Ugh.” I groan and then shove a piece of scone in my mouth. Clementine Creek has always been my favorite place, but right now I’d give anything not to be the center of town gossip.

“We’re just happy for you is all,” she says sweetly. “Besides, you’ve always known how to handle him better than most.”

“What?”

This time when she reaches across the table, her smile is genuine. “You’ve always had a soft spot for him, and the way he’s gravitated toward you since bein’ home—seems like he’s always had one for you too.”

I run my hand along the wood table that’s seen its fair share of Thayer family dinners. Like everything else in this house, it’s familiar and comfortable and feels so much likehome.

“You don’t think it’s just a convenience thing?” I say finally, not brave enough to meet Mama’s gaze.

“Why on God’s green earth would you say such a thing?”

“It’s just a lot of change, Mama. He went from not liking me to kissin’ me breathless in the middle of the parking lot.”

Mama nods and pats my hand. “That boy has always liked you, make no mistake about it.” I snort and she wraps her slender fingers around mine. “Just because he isn’t always good at showing it doesn’t mean it’s not true.”

“I need him to say it.”

“He will,”—she pauses—“but make sure you look at what he’s not sayin’ too.” I grip Mama’s hand harder and pray that she’s right. I don’t want to doubt his intentions, especially after being pampered all afternoon, but it’s all so surreal at this exact moment.

“I will, Mama. I just need him to come home.”

27

SORREN

“Ineed your help,” I say as I stand in front of the only person with resources that far surpass my own. I’d made Tanner drive back to Clementine Creek so I could confirm what I already knew—they’re looking for us.

Me.

The alerts had been more frequent recently, but I’d attributed it to the chatter about Vetted Paws. It still might just be a coincidence, but my gut says otherwise. This isn’t going to go away before it lands on my doorstep. The question wasn’t “if” but “when.”

All I want to do is go to my girl and kiss the hell out of her—just because I can.

Just because I missed her.

The ache was constant being away from her, and I hated every minute of it.

But instead, I’m not in Clementine Creek for more than five minutes before having to deal with the shitstorm of my past.

“Anything you need,” Cullen says without hesitation, and I feel the tension in my shoulders start to ease.

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