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“A ridiculous amount,” Hannah agreed.

I glanced at my watch and realized how long we’d been gone from the office. “I’d better get back to work. My lunch hour was over a while ago.”

Hannah laughed. “It’s Friday. We deserve a long lunch. The three of us aren’t available to get together very often.”

“We’re going into Billings on Sunday to do some shopping and then get something to eat,” Anna said enthusiastically. “Are you coming with us?”

God, probably none of them had any idea how badly I wanted to go with them.

I craved the company and the friendship these women were offering me, but I knew I couldn’t.

“I’m sorry. I can’t. I have other plans. Maybe next time.” I finally forced those words out of my mouth even though my heart was aching.

“You always say that,” Hannah grumbled unhappily.

She was right, and I was getting damn tired of saying no, but as of right now, there was no other answer I could give them.

Devon

“Iheard you’re starting Reese’s riding lessons tomorrow,” Tanner said as he and Kaleb sat in my office at Remington Friday afternoon.

We’d just finished going over some business we had to resolve before the weekend.

“That’s the plan,” I said nonchalantly.

“What prompted you to do that?” Kaleb asked with curiosity in his voice. “I thought you two didn’t really get along. And then I heard this morning that you were at her house last night. Are you still trying to get information about her previous life out of her?”

I shot a disgruntled look at my brother from behind my desk. Of course he’d heard that I was at Reese’s house the night before. Gossip spread quickly in Crystal Fork. “I know you both think I’m crazy, but there’s something that’s just not sitting well with me about her.”

Tanner let out a beleaguered breath before he spoke. “Look, you’ve been saying that almost since she got here. There’s nothing weird going on. She’s been a valuable employee and friend to Hannah, and I happen to like her, too. I haven’t seen anything strange with the business, and I go over Hannah’s business account with her. We did a thorough background check. What in the hell still makes you think that something’s not right with Reese? I think you’re paranoid. She’s not a criminal hiding out in Crystal Fork, Devon. She’s a nice woman.”

“Anna and I really like her, too,” Kaleb added. “And Mom and Lauren adore her.”

“I’m not saying she’s a damn criminal,” I grumbled. “I just said that something’s not right. I know I have no tangible evidence of that, but my gut won’t leave it alone. I don’t think she’s left Crystal Fork since she got here. She’s an attractive, single woman. Wouldn’t you think she’d go to Billings or Bozeman to the clubs once in a while? Or meet someone from there on dating apps or something?”

Kaleb lifted a brow. “You’re a single guy. Do you do that? Are you on dating apps meeting women in those cities? Maybe she’s sick of the bar scene and dating apps.”

“Okay,” I replied readily. “But what about shopping and other activities you can’t find in Crystal Fork? Tell me your wives aren’t in Billings at least once a month to get something they can’t get here.”

“Sometimes more,” Tanner agreed. “And I can bring Hannah whatever she wants since our offices are here. She’s had a lot of cravings for things that I can’t get in Crystal Fork lately.”

I watched Tanner’s face, but there wasn’t a single sign that Hannah’s needs during her pregnancy annoyed him. In fact, he was grinning.

I knew that he’d bend over backwards to get Hannah whatever she wanted.

Most of the time, he was anticipating his wife’s wants and needs before she ever said a word.

My older brother had been a different person since he’d married Hannah.

He was…happy.

Happy in a way he hadn’t been since she’d walked out of his life years ago.

He had no idea how much I’d wanted that for him.

I’d wanted the same for Kaleb, and my eldest brother had found the woman he was meant to spend his life with in Anna.

Married life wasn’t for me, but I’d always known my brothers weren’t meant to live their lives alone.