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All I could do was nod in agreement. My father stood.
“One piece of advice I will give you: if you truly believe you cannot forgive Harley, let her go. Give her forgiveness so she can also move on. It seems to me she waited for a chance to explain her actions to you, and you offered her no hope. Be prepared for her to move on.”
“Move on?” I pulled in a breath. It felt like a ton of weight had settled on my chest.
He rested his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “It isn’t fair to either of those ladies if you hang on to old feelings.”
He headed toward the door. “Where are you going?” I asked while standing.
“I have a tea date with my beautiful granddaughter, and I don’t intend on missing it. If I do, Patches will get my scones.”
Letting out a laugh, I lifted my hand to say goodbye to my father.
He headed out of his office with a smile on his face. My father loved his grandkids with every ounce of his being. I was glad to see him letting my brothers run the ranch more each day, giving my father time to spend with my mother and the grandkids.
Running my hand through my hair, I rubbed the ache in the back of my neck.
“Hell, I’m still confused. Maybe even more.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw her name. I wasn’t about to admit that it wasn’t the name I wanted to see, though.
Mallory: I’ve got a mommy’s night out with the other moms planned for tonight. We’re heading into Uvalde for a painting party. Were you going to stop by the house in a bit? I could use a bit of attention before Laney gets home.
I stared at the message. Was she fucking kidding me?
With a shake of my head, I cleared my thoughts and responded.
Me: I’m out at my folks’ and will most likely be here for the rest of the day helping out. Have fun tonight.
Mallory: I’m sure I will. Talk tomorrow!
Me: Sounds like a plan. Bye.
I headed out of the office and made my way down the hall. I stopped when I heard Amelia talking to Wade.
“She was really upset. I’m worried.”
“Just make sure y’all stay out of it, Amelia. That’s Harley’s business, not yours.”
My chest tightened at her name, and I found myself holding my breath.
“I know. We promised her we wouldn’t tell my folks or the boys. She wants to handle it on her own.”
Wade laughed. “And I suppose I’m not a boy?”
Peeking around the corner, I saw my sister up on her toes, kissing Wade. “You’re all man.”
I held back the gag.
Pulling back around the corner, I didn’t move. Amelia clearly knew why Harley came to my office that day. She was in trouble and was now hell bent on me not finding out what it was.
But I knew exactly where to go to get answers.
Karen.
Lady looked up at me with a sigh as I flopped onto the couch.
“Sorry, girl. Didn’t mean to disturb your slumber.”
My golden retriever lab mix stared for a moment before settling back into the couch.
“Here we are, girl, on a Friday night sitting at home fixin’ to watch an Outlander marathon. We’re party animals.”
She let out a whine.
“I know. We’re losers.”
My doorbell rang, and I froze for a moment. What if it was him? Here to harass me some more…
I pulled up my security cameras on my phone and smiled when I saw Paxton and Amelia standing outside my door. Waylynn and Corina walked up, and I knew my Friday night had just taken a turn for the better.
Turning my alarm off on my phone, I rushed to my front door.
“What are y’all doing here?” I asked as I hugged and kissed each of them on the cheek and ushered them in.
Amelia walked in holding a dress bag. “We had a free night off and decided you deserved a night out.”
“Yep, I’m kid-free for the evening. Steed and his folks are having movie night tonight.”
“And Jonathon insisted I get out for a few hours while he watched Liberty.”
My cheeks burned from smiling. “Y’all don’t have to cheer me up. I’m fine. Honestly.”
Corina rolled her eyes and let out a humph. “You’ve got another person claiming to be the rightful owner of the vet clinic, and Tripp is being…well…”
“An asshole,” Amelia and Waylynn said together.
I’d told Paxton all about how Doc’s brother was making a claim on my vet clinic, and she had shared the information with the rest of the Parker women.
“I can’t blame Tripp. It’s my fault. Maybe I didn’t try hard enough to tell him the truth. I could have left it on his voicemail or something.”
Paxton hooked her arm with mine while she guided me to my bedroom. “You sent him a letter. He obviously never read it.”
