Chapter 46
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
The Ranch
Three days later, Wynn hugged me. “I don’t want to leave.”
I bear-hugged the shit out of her. “You have a job and a life to get back to.”
“I don’t have a life,” Wyn protested. “I work all the time.”
“And I hate my job,” Poet blurted out from beneath Hadley’s arm.
“Finally admitting it,” I said, dropping my arms from around Wyn. “Just when you’re leaving and we can’t hash it out and figure out what to do.”
“There’s nothing to do,” Poet said. “Either I suck it up or I quit.”
Wyn and Poet swapped places and it was my turn to hug Poet.
“I’d love for you guys to stay. In fact, move here,” Hadley commanded.
“Don’t tempt me,” Poet muttered.
“I’m not moving here,” Wyn stated. “Never gonna happen.”
“Afraid that pregnancy is catching?” I asked with a laugh.
“That,” Wyn said. “And there’s very little in the way of hobbies.”
“What do you mean?” Hadley demanded. “There’s tons to do here.”
“Yeah, Grandma and Grandpa hobbies,” Wyn said. “Like crocheting, bird watching, you know. Sedate, might-as-well-take-a nap kind of hobbies.”
“Nesting hobbies,” Hadley quipped.
Poet rolled her eyes and changed the subject. “Have Declan and Bowman talked at all?”
Hadley shook her head. “They’re both being elk headed.”
Wyn blinked. “Don’t you mean pigheaded?”
“Elk Ridge, elk headed,” Hadley said with a shrug.
“Only time will sort this out,” I said.
“Might want to do something about it sooner rather than later, or they might never talk again,” Wyn advised.
“Yeah, we’ll have to noodle on that,” I said with a nod.
“You’re queen of the shenanigans,” Poet said. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
“Oh, and by the way,” Hadley said, “I know how Amber found out about Salem and Bowman.”
“This is news to me,” I said.
“Lucy did some sleuthing.” Hadley grinned. “While you and Bowman had your interlude in the cellar, Amber came into the house to use the restroom. Apparently, someone forgot to close the cellar door.”
Wyn raised her brows. “Salem, I’m ashamed of you.”
“You are?” I demanded.
“Yes. Everyone knows you ensure the door is closed before you engage in carnal activities.”
“Before she starts to lecture, we’d better get out of here,” Poet said.
“Text the minute you land in New York,” Hadley said to them.
“We will,” Poet promised. “And we’ll be back for the baby showers before you know it.”
“Just one shower,” Hadley corrected. “Salem and I are having a joint baby shower. Doesn’t make sense to have two with the babies so close in age, does it?” She looked at me as she said it.
I smiled. “No. Not really.”
“And you’ll keep us posted?” Wyn asked. “About Declan and Bowman?”
“I will,” I said with a sigh.
Wyn finally climbed into the driver’s seat of the rental and Poet, ever the passenger princess, got in too.
“Safe travels,” I said, and then shut Poet’s door.
Hadley and I stood by, waving to them as they backed out of the driveway and left the ranch.
“And then there were two,” she said, linking her arm through mine.
“I’m already lonely,” I lamented. “Is it wrong that I hoped they’d stay forever?”
“Nope. It’s what I wished for the night all four of us were at the hot spring,” Hadley said. “I know I’m not supposed to tell anyone my wish, but there you have it.”
“I wished for it too,” I admitted.
“Well, maybe we’ve got twin hot spring power on our side.”
We went back into the house and Hadley beelined to the fridge and pulled out a plate of fried chicken. “I’m eating it cold. Don’t judge.”
“Hand me a drumstick,” I stated. “I’ll join you.”
I opened the cabinet and grabbed two plates and several paper napkins before returning to the kitchen table.
“Have you guys decided what you’re going to do?” she asked.
“About the Rudolph Lancaster campaign? No. About Cas’s career? Also no. I wish he and Declan were talking, so he could have someone else’s perspective.”
“You’ve brought it up, though, right? Talking to Declan.”
“Well, sure. But every time I broach the subject, he distracts me.”
“With?”
“His tongue,” I admitted.
She chuckled. “Declan does the same.”
“This is so stupid,” I said. “They’re best friends. They can’t throw away years of friendship over this.”
“I thought for sure Declan’s mom would be able to talk some sense into him, but it was no use. Should we lock them in a room together and force them to speak?” Hadley asked. “Use trickery like Wyn suggested to get them back to being buddies?”
“Maybe.” I sat down.
She dropped a drumstick onto my plate. “Declan thought he had to protect you from Bowman, what with you being his future sister-in-law, but you’re already pregnant and Bowman loves you, so . . .”
“And Cas was mad that Declan said he wasn’t a family man, implying he wasn’t good enough for me.”
“Boys are dumb.” She bit into her chicken thigh.
“If they weren’t so damn hot—”
“Or good in bed—”
“We’d have nothing to do with them.” I raised my drumstick, and she tapped it with her chicken thigh.
The front door opened and I heard a set of keys clank on the foyer table. Muddy appeared in the kitchen, holding a plastic bag.
“What do you have there?” Hadley asked her.
“Alpaca yarn,” she said. “I’m starting a new crocheting project.”
“Are you going to tell us what it is?” I asked.
“It’s a surprise.” She set the bag of yarn down and patted my head. “You gonna save any of that chicken for me?”
“Get it while you can,” Hadley quipped. “It’s a hormonal feeding frenzy.”
Muddy went to the cabinet and pulled out a plate. “The girls left?”
“Yeah. Not too long ago,” I replied.
“I said my goodbyes to them this morning, before either of you were awake. I hope they come back soon,” Muddy said. “The house feels empty without them.”
“Empty?” Hadley repeated. “How can this house feel empty? Every room is occupied.”
“I don’t know. It just does. They’re family,” Muddy explained as she took a seat at the table.
I pushed the plate of chicken toward her.
“And not every room is occupied,” Muddy said. “What with Cas basically moving into Salem’s room.”
I stilled. “Does Dad know?”
Muddy shrugged.
I sighed. “Cas. You’re calling him Cas now?”
“Bowman feels too . . .” Muddy searched for the word.
“Male athlete that smacks other male athletes on the behind,” Hadley supplied.
“That.” Muddy plunked a piece of chicken onto her plate. “Family meeting tonight.”
“When you say family,” I began.
“You, Hadley, both boys, and your father,” Muddy said. She took a bite of chicken. “Damn, I’m a good cook.”
I sniggered.
“What about Jane?” Hadley asked.
“No Jane,” Muddy said. “Not until your father puts a ring on it.”
I frowned. “Cas hasn’t put a ring on it yet.”
“But he will. When you let him.” She winked. “Besides, I’ve already spoken to Jane and she understands about the family meeting tonight. She’s not offended.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to back Dad into a corner so he’ll propose to Jane,” Hadley drawled.
“Because that’s exactly what I’m doing,” she said. “He wants to marry her. She wants to marry him. I don’t see the issue.”
“Uh, how about the fact that he’s recovering from brain surgery?” I said.
Muddy shrugged. “We’re all recovering from something, aren’t we?”
“Touché,” Hadley murmured.
“What’s the family meeting about?” I asked.
“We’ll talk tonight,” Muddy said. “Now eat your chicken before I do.”