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“Oh,” Stella drawled. “Don’t want to be shacking up with lover boy.”
Everly leaned back onto the porch and looked up at the wooden ceiling. “It’s a mess.”
Stella leaned over Everly. “A fantastic mess!”
Covering her face, Everly mumbled through her hands, “He’s great. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
“Well, you spent the last five years with a self-absorbed booger head.”
Everly sat up. “Did you just say booger head?”
“I did,” Stella said, lifting her chin.
They both burst into laughter. Everly gasped for air. “That was the best you could come up with?”
“No, but it was the only PG insult that felt nasty enough for him,” Stella said, wiping her eyes.
“What are you two up to?”
Everly and Stella looked up at Ridge, leaning against the porch railing. His smile said he’d been there long enough to hear at least part of the booger head conversation.
“Oh, just solving the world’s problems,” Stella said as she stood and dusted off her hands.
“I don’t doubt it. I bet the two of you together could do some damage.”
Stella propped her hands on her hips. “Don’t mess with us, and you’ll never have to find out.”
Ridge held his hands up. “I would never.”
Everly picked up her phone and stood. “Where’s Blake?”
“Working late. I’m your ride home tonight.” Ridge gestured to his truck parked nearby.
Disappointment washed over her. She’d wanted to talk to Blake on the ride home. “Let me get my purse.”
With purse and book in hand, Everly hugged Stella on her way out.
“Everything will be okay,” Stella promised. “I’ll keep praying for you.”
Everly released the hug. “Thanks. I’ll see you in the morning.”
In the truck, Everly’s guilt rose up, further shadowing the bad news. She hadn’t once prayed about the house or the offer. It had been weeks since she’d prayed about where she should go from here. She’d rushed ahead for a future she wanted, but she hadn’t stopped to consider whether it was best for her or if God had a plan.
“You okay?” Ridge asked.
“Yeah. I found out that the house I made an offer on is under contract.”
“Bummer. I know you wanted that place. But the good news is that you can stay with us as long as you need.”
“Thanks, but Mr. Chambers said I can have Ava’s room as soon as she moves out. I think that might be my next place.”
“I didn’t know that. The wedding is coming up, but you don’t have to leave unless you want to.”
Of course she knew her brother wouldn’t kick her out. Neither would Blake. But her relationship with Blake was changing, and she didn’t want to be living with someone she was dating. Blake was right. Lines would be blurred. For now, she felt better keeping a little bit of distance between them.
“I think I need to go. Plus, it’ll be nice to be at the ranch. I might leave some of my things at your house until I find a permanent place, if that’s okay with you and Blake.”
“Fine by me. Have you told Blake about the house?”
