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Nessa smiled. “I do, but here’s the thing about being a well-loved woman, Shay. When he loves you more than himself, he’ll do anything for you. My son’s happiness is what I want.”

“Don’t you care about Shep’s happiness, too?”

“Of course. But he doesn’t realize what he’s doing will make us all unhappy. He’s an idiot man doing idiot man things, stomping and throwing his weight around because he thinks he knows what’s best. Thirty years together, and he still doesn’t realize that I’m never wrong about anything.”

For a moment, I could only stare, but then I turned to my mother. “So what exactly are you doing here?”

“I’m the one who called her,” Mama said, nodding at Nessa. “If we left it up to y’all to fix, we’d be dealing with mopey kids for the next decade. Y’all slow, and I ain’t got time for it. Go get your man, Shay. You ain’t never gonna find one who loves you as much as that one does.”

Nessa nodded. “Remember what I told you, dear. The Shepherd men aren’t perfect, but they are hopelessly devoted to their women.”

For the first time since I sat down in Shep’s office two days ago, warmth entered my chest. But then it abruptly went cold. “Do I deserve that kind of devotion?”

“Yes,” both women echoed, then Nessa added, “Remember, you’re a gem, Shay. If you decide he’s what you want, I’d be proud to call you daughter. But if not, I’d still be proud to call you friend.”

Mama glowed, and I wondered if she was falling a little in love with Nessa herself.

“What if he doesn’t forgive me?” I asked.

Nessa snorted delicately.

Mama shook her head. “You got a magic little thing between your legs that will help with that part.”

“Oh my god. Mom!”

Chuckling, Nessa set her own empty glass on the table. “She isn’t wrong, dear. He’s out for a run now. Why don’t you chat with us until he gets back?”

“You want me to talk to him…now?”

Nessa patted my hand. “Don’t let him choke on the noose around his neck any longer than he needs to, dear. It’s impolite.” She folded her hands in her lap. “So I hear you’ve put in your two-weeks at the distillery?”

“Er—”

“I hope that means you’ll accept my offer?”

“I—um⁠—”

“She will absolutely accept,” Mama said.

I stared daggers at her.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s your dream job, honey. Don’t act like you’d ever say no.”

“I don’t even know if Cam will accept my apology!”

The two women exchanged exasperated looks, and Nessa glanced out the window. “Oh, look. Here’s your chance to find out.”

Outside, Cam emerged from the woods, slowing to a walk, checking his smart watch. My heart tugged in my chest, begging me to go to him, but I dragged my gaze away to find Nessa. “Did he really ask you to help him get me back?”

“I think he would move heaven and earth to convince you to stay.”

“You grab onto him, baby,” Mama said, “and you never let go.”

Fifty-Four

Arms braced against the cold, I knocked on the outside door to Cam’s portion of the house because it seemed more polite than barging through the indoor entrance. If I’d known I’d be seeing him, I’d have put a little more effort into my appearance, but the leggings and loose sweater would have to do.

The door swung open, revealing Cam in tight gym shorts and a gray performance tank. He must have continued his workout indoors after his run. Sweat glistened on the exposed curves of muscles in his arms, and the veins stood out in his forearms.