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Blair awkwardly cups my cheek with one hand. “Awwwww, my Shayla!”

Hattie, Poppy, and Blair erupt in stitches of giggles.

“Let’s get you girls home,” I say, resting a hand on Hattie’s lower back and urging her toward the door. Poppy sidles up on my opposite side and links her arm through mine.

“Who the hell is Shayla?” I ask my sister, just for her to break out laughing again.

After bidding Owen and Jackson farewell, the girls climb into my pickup. It’s technically only meant for three passengers, but we all squeeze onto the bench seat.

Hattie’s pressed up against me…and I’m right where I want to be.

Poppy turns on the radio until she finds some station that’s playing 2000s pop. The girls sing along, loudly, to a song I’ve heard before but couldn’t tell you who’s singing it.

By the time I pull up right outside the guest cabin, Hattie’s hand has made itself at home on my thigh. It’s creeping dangerously close to my dick, which would be great if we were alone and she wasn’t tipsy…but that’s not the case.

I cut the engine and slide out to walk Hattie and Blair to their door. Poppy moves to get out, but I shoot her a stern look. “No, you stay and behave.”

The last thing I want is to run around the ranch at midnight trying to find my drunk ass sister.

Blair eases the cabin door open, thanking me for the ride, then announcing she’s heading into shower. But she peeks her head out a second later and makes obnoxious kissy noises before disappearing again with a high-pitch giggle.

Hattie looks at me with an apologetic expression, easing her arms around my neck and pressing her body against mine.

“Princess,” I grind out in a warning tone.

She leans in and kisses my neck, dipping her tongue out to taste my skin. “Just relax, Sunshine.”

I clear my throat. “My sister is probably watching us through the truck window as we speak.”

Hattie pulls back, turning her head toward my pickup. I follow her gaze to find Poppy grinning and waving at us.

Hattie laughs and I release a low groan.

“Trust me, if we were alone, I’d tuck you into bed myself.”

She sighs. “You’re such a tease.”

I place a chaste kiss on her lips. “I’m happy your friend is here, but selfishly, I wish I had you all to myself tonight.”

She nods, her eyes smoldering. “I wish you didn’t have to leave, that you could stay the night.”

I slide my hand around her back and kiss her forehead. “Don’t think Blair would appreciate that.”

She chuckles, reluctantly stepping away from me and opening her front door.

When did I start thinking of the guest cabin as hers?

“See you tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait,” she says, then slips inside.

I stare at the closed door, then take a few steps back and study the small cabin. I try to picture it without her in it, with some random customer purchasing a foal. And I hate it. Hate the thought of anyone touching this place that I now see as Hattie’s. Hate the thought of her not being inside.

I walk back to my pickup with heavy steps, like I’m treading through quicksand.

CHAPTER 30

Hattie