AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“One would think, wouldn’t one?” Arabella asked. “We’re adults now, not teenagers.”
Would Rafferty agree? Or did his grudge about the science contest remain to this day? Had he seen how lovely she was? Would it soften him a bit to see her? I put that aside to think about later. I had to focus all my energy on Scout.
Was all of this a sign I should take the job and move back to the city? Scout could come to work with me, and we could forget Annie together.
Fat chance.
17
ANNIE
So much for hiring a car to take me into Bozeman. There was no such thing. Not out here in the middle of nowhere. After a few hours sitting in the restaurant at the ranch with my laptop, I’d had no luck. I was stuck here.
Unless Finley had some ideas for me. Maybe she could help get me the heck out of here. They had transportation for guests, right?
I sent a quick text to Celeste, asking her to arrange an airplane ticket home and if she could miraculously find a car back to Bozeman.
She’d sent a litany of return messages, all of which I ignored. I’d tell her the whole story when I was away from it. Distance and time would do the trick.
Then, dragging my stupid suitcases with me, I went over to the office to see if Finley could help. She looked up from her computer when I stepped inside.
“Hey, is everything okay?” Finley stood, a worried crease marring her perfect forehead.
“I have to get back to LA, and I need a car to Bozemanairport,” I said matter-of-factly, without invitation to ask questions or comments.
“I can take you. I’ll have to check with Thad to make sure he wouldn’t mind covering the desk, but we’re so slow I doubt he’d care.”
“No, no. Don’t do that. I’ll find another way.”
“I’m sorry to see you go. We’re having S’mores Night later. A bunch of the families from the area come. It’s supposed to be a blast.”
I turned away, not wanting to get into an explanation. As much as I’d enjoyed my time meeting her and Elliot, this wasn’t my life. I couldn’t get any more invested.
Thad entered, the bell over the door tinkling. Had it done that when I walked in? His gaze darted to my suitcases. “What’s going on?”
“I have to get back,” I’d said, lamely.
“For what?” Finley asked, before clapping her hand over her mouth. “Sorry. None of my business.”
“It’s okay,” I’d said. “But I can’t really talk about it right now.”
“Sure, right. Of course.” Finley flushed red. “Thad, she needs a ride to the airport in Bozeman.”
“I can take you, no problem,” Thad said. “I have something I need to pick up for our holiday festivities this weekend anyway.”
“Are you sure?” The last thing I wanted was to accept a ride from any of the Moon brothers. However, I had little choice.
We were about to leave when Rafferty arrived. After looking at my suitcases, he offered to come with us. “I took the afternoon off to Christmas shop and was headed into Bozeman right now. We’ll all go together.”
So that’s how I found myself headed into the city with not one Moon brother but two.
“I’m sorry you have to leave before the holiday,” Thad said, after a few miles. “We were enjoying getting to know you.”
“I hope you can come back sometime?” Rafferty asked.
“Sure, maybe,” I said.
My phone buzzed with a call from Celeste, saving me from having to respond further. “Hey Celeste.” I kept the emotion out of my voice. All I wanted was to sit by myself and be miserable without having to pretend I was about to shatter into a million pieces but that would have to wait until I got home.
