That evening, she confronted Kevin with the information, and they’d fought all night long. He lied to her face, accusing her of not trusting him. He’d been the one to break the trust, and had she not seen it with her own two eyes, he’d have convinced her that it wasn’t true. How could she not have known? She questioned everything now.
“You know, it’s a long story,” Merry Anna said, “but I was searching for something when I got here. I didn’t know what. Still don’t, really, but I do feel different. Happier.”
“And Adam?”
She grinned. “Adam. That’s a sticky situation.” His thumb on her cheek against that sticky marshmallow had made her insides swirl. That kiss on her birthday—it was so nice even though she’d cut it short. She didn’t know how to let go and allow it to happen. She’d been married her whole adult life. Not being married wasn’t easy.
“How so?”
“He’s fun to be with, but he said he’s got room for one commitment and that’s rodeo. I’m not sure getting tangled up with him is smart. Friends is all it can be. I’m fine with that.”
“He’s very handsome.” Krissy raised her brow. “So?”
“So, he’s a good neighbor.”
“I heard you two baked pies together.”
Small-town gossip. It was no joke.“We did. Strawberry pies, and they were delicious.” She turned away from Krissy’s hopeful stare. “And we may have spent a day riding horses…on my birthday.”
“Your birthday? It was your birthday and you didn’t even tell me?”
“It was no big deal. I wasn’t even going to celebrate it, but then Adam started talking about horseback riding and I’d never been, and, well, one thing led to another.”
Krissy plopped down in the white Queen Anne chair sitting next to the front counter. “All this was going on? You sure have some explaining to do. Tell me everything.”
Merry Anna felt the heat rise to her cheeks. “It’s nothing.”
“If it was nothing, you wouldn’t be blushing right now.”
She dropped her head back, then closed her eyes. “I don’t know what it is. It’s nice.” She crossed her arms, not even wanting to say it out loud.
“It’s nice. Oh my gosh. You do realize that Adam Locklear is the most available bachelor in three counties but doesn’t date. I mean, yeah, he might have a few girls hanging around once in a while, but never anything serious. And never anyone like you.” Krissy covered her mouth. “I can’t believe this.”
“Stop. No. You’re out of control.”
“Fine. But you are attracted to him, right?”
“Well, yeah. Who isn’t?” She thought of the women lining up around him after the rodeo. He had his pick.
“Exactly my point.”
“But I think the reason we’ve had so much fun is that neither of us is looking for anything. He has some lofty goals for this year. Did you know he has a shot at winning the whole bull-riding final thing this year?”
“I knew he was having a good year, but that’s really something.”
“And it requires focus. He doesn’t have time for anything, and you know what? I am in no position to be dating or starting something. I just got out of a bad relationship, and I—”
“Okay, okay. I get it. But I hope this means you’re thinking about sticking around.”
“I am very happy here, and as out of character as it might seem for me to live at the bunkhouse, I love that little place.”
“How are your plants doing?” Krissy asked.
“Wonderful. I still can’t believe they are doing so well. Every one of them is thriving. The little cherry tomatoes are really springing up.”
“Like you. You seem like a different person. It’s like you can do anything. I’m sure the people you worked for before are missing you like crazy.”
If you only knew.“They’ve mentioned they’d like me to come back, but I’m not so sure I want to.” She looked right into Krissy’s eyes. “When I left, it was supposed to be temporary. They wouldn’t accept my resignation.”
