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As soon as he opened the door, Stella was there to greet him.
“Well, hello, handsome. I didn’t expect to see you today.”
It was weird seeing Stella behind the desk instead of Everly. No offense to the older lady, but Everly was a lot nicer to look at. Though Stella had aged well. Her light hair was always pulled up into a clip in the back, and wrinkles outlined her eyes and mouth. She couldn’t have been over sixty-five, but her laugh lines were deep.
“Evening, Stella. I just stopped by to see if you needed a break to get something to eat.”
Stella tilted her head and grinned. “You’re a doll. Ava just came by so I could go get a plate.” Stella pointed to the food next to the computer.
“Everything been good?” he asked.
“I guess it will be when Everly gets back. How is she doing?”
Blake propped his elbows on the counter. “You heard?”
“Of course I heard. I texted her to make sure she made it to Cleveland okay, and she told me she didn’t go.” Stella frowned, and the lines around her lips deepened. “I never could stand that man.”
“Join the club. I’m just glad he’s gone.”
“And good riddance,” Stella said. “He can fall in a hole with his mistress for all I care.”
Blake bit his lips between his teeth. It had been a while since he’d heard the word mistress used in conversation. “She seemed okay yesterday, but she’s a little upset about the house.”
Stella’s eyes widened. “Oh! I didn’t even think about the house. Is she moving out?”
Blake lowered his chin. “I guess so. He’s not going to let her keep living there if they aren’t together.”
Stella’s huff was more comical than intimidating. “If I could give that man a piece of my mind–”
Blake laid a hand on Stella’s arm. “He’s not worth your time.”
“You’re right. We just need to focus on Everly. She’s such a good woman, and she deserves a man who will respect her and appreciate her.”
Blake nodded. “I told her the same thing.”
Grinning, Stella leaned forward. “I think it’s time you made your move.”
“I’d like to, but she needs to be over him first.”
Stella waved a hand in the air. “Oh, that’s no problem. She’s been quiet about him for a while, and I think she’s wanted to end things. You know she’s just too nice to break things off with her fiancé. That woman doesn’t know what’s good for her sometimes.”
Whatwasgood for Everly? Could Blake be good for her? Would she be happy with him?
Finding these answers was at the top of his to-do list.
“I know she’s looking for a place today. She said she’d let me know if she found something.”
Stella wrung her hands in front of her chest. “I wish Vera and I had room in the foreman’s cabin.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll find her a place.” He really wanted to know how the search had gone today. Was it too early to call?
His phone rang, and he quickly pulled it from his pocket. Everly’s name lit up the screen. “This is her.” He answered, not bothering to walk away from Stella. She’d want a recap as soon as he finished talking to Everly.
“Hey,” Everly said. “I tried to call Ridge, but he didn’t answer.”
Was her voice shaky?
“He’s in the dining hall. It’s loud in there. I’ll go tell him you’re looking for him.”
