“Just wait. Now you will.”
“Yeah, I probably shouldn’t have opened my big mouth on that one. But my point is, do you have hesitations about Magnolia? Or is it just the fact that your last relationship ended abruptly?”
I pushed her away last night because I was scared. Because I didn’t want to be hurt. And all I managed to do was hurt both of us. Magnolia is not Jane. And what I feel for Magnolia is real.
“I don’t know. If you’re not that into her, maybe I’ll ask her out.”
“I’ll kill you.”
Max grins. “Hmm, well, I guess that answers that.”
He’s right. I’ll never admit it to him, but he’s completely right. I’ve been falling for Magnolia ever since she started cracking jokes in that stairwell.
I’ve been trying to do everything I can to pump the brakes on my heart, but it’s no use. I’m head over heels for her. And now I have to figure out how to love her and protect her.
The lodge is empty when we finish with the hay, and now that I’m back in service range, I see that I missed a call from my mom and have a text from her, saying that she made it here and is in town with Magnolia.
I probably shouldn’t be nervous about that…but I am. My mom and Magnolia together. I can just imagine all the things they could be saying to each other.
I take a quick shower and get cleaned up, wanting the sweat and smell of alfalfa off of me before I go find my fiancée.
I reach town and only have to drive a couple of streets before I spot my mom’s SUV parked in front of Darlene’s.
Darlene runs a feed shop out of her garage in town and will order the ranchers anything they need.
I park the truck on the street and walk up the sidewalk to the house and knock.
The door opens, and Darlene stands there, smiling at me. “Nash! I heard you were in town. It’s good to see you. What can I help you with?”
“Actually, I’m not here to order anything. I was wondering if you’ve seen Magnolia. And my mom?”
Darlene’s smile takes on a funny tilt. “Yes, I have. They just left. I think they were walking to the park.”
“Thanks, Darlene,” I say as I hurry down the porch. Realizing I was being rude, I say, “I’ll be back for a longer visit later!”
“I’ll hold you to it!” she calls after me.
Five minutes later, I see my mom and Magnolia standing across from what we call the town square. A fountain that doubles as a splash pad for the kids in thesummer, several picnic tables, and a grassy area with a small swing set. But neither of them is looking at the park. They’re studying an old Sears-kit-style home across the way. It has a For Sale sign in the yard.
“Do you think it would look okay with a low fence around the front?” I hear Mom ask Magnolia as I approach. I can’t believe they met when I wasn’t there. I was so flustered after last night that I didn’t even realize what day it was and that Mom would be here today. I left Magnolia alone to meet my mom on her own. Hopefully, she doesn’t hold that against me, or this conversation is going to get even more awkward.
“You could add an adorable picket fence. It would be so picturesque!” Magnolia plants both hands on her hips as she stares at the yard.
I walk as quietly as I can until I stop a couple of feet behind them. “What are the two of you up to?”
Magnolia jumps at the sound of my voice, but Mom just turns and smiles at me.
“Nash.” She pulls me into a big hug and presses a kiss against my cheek. “It’s so good to see you, honey.”
“Mom, do you mind if I steal Magnolia for a minute?”
“Of course! I’ll be in the house. The realtor gave me the key code.”
Without asking Magnolia, I grab her hand and pull her after me.
“What are you doing? Your mom and I were house shopping together.”
“I need to talk to you.” I stop next to the fountain and turn to face her.
