Page 40 of Back in the Saddle

Hunter opened his mouth, wanting to say that it probably had nothing to do with him and everything to do with the fact that Caroline said she was married. But looking at his friend, he remembered how happy he had been a few moments ago when he’d proudly showed him the engagement ring for Eve. It didn’t feel right to tell him. No matter how much he trusted him. Plus, Hunter still felt a bit tainted when he remembered Caroline’s horrified expression when they pulled apart. Not enough to compete with his desire tosee her again, but enough to feel too ashamed to tell Mitch about it.

‘Maybe you’re right,’ Hunter said, trying to seem nonplussed. He bent over and poured more whisky into both glasses. ‘Although I’m starting to suspect that Caroline was never meant to be just a random woman I met at the bar—’

‘Hunter Jackson, turning over a new leaf and a believer in fate, after all?’

‘Oh, shut up, Mitch. I still don’t believe in fate.’

‘No? And under what category would you put what you’ve just said?’

He ignored Mitch’s comment. ‘I think I’m going to text her and see if we can still meet tomorrow.’

He hoped she would at least talk to him. Even if she didn’t want to go to Robbers Cave or anywhere else, maybe they could go over things in messages.

‘If she doesn’t want to meet, you know you can always stop by my place, and we can go drown our sorrows. Or just talk.’

‘Thanks.’

They were quiet for a moment, both staring at the muted TV screen. The game was going to kick off in a few minutes.

Mitch put his glass back on the coaster and cleared his throat. ‘Do you want to talk about your dad?’

Hunter shook his head. He was still processing this piece of news and wasn’t ready to discuss it.

‘OK. I’m here if you want to, though.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Any time. Let’s watch the game then, huh?’

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Caroline

On the way back from the ranch, Caroline felt like someone had stuck tons of Lego pieces underneath her. She shuffled in her seat, pretending to look out of the window but not registering any landmarks. The sudden headache she had claimed to have come down with wasn’t even an exaggeration – she felt nauseous and dizzy when she remembered what had happened in The Retirement Yeehaw.

When they passed the sign welcoming them back to the city, Anna cleared her throat. ‘Are you OK?’

‘Why wouldn’t I be?’

Anna didn’t answer straight away, and when she did, she sounded like she was weighing her words carefully. ‘I feel like we haven’t really had a chance to speak properly since you got here. I know we’re both busy, and you got thrown into the deep end at work. But I still feel like there’s something you’re not telling me.’

Caroline pursed her lips tightly.

‘I don’t want to pry, please don’t take it that way. I guess I’m just worried. You never mention Finn. I don’t think I have even heard you speak to him on the phone.’

Caroline blinked, not turning her head to look at Anna. ‘We’re getting a divorce.’ Her chest squeezed. ‘Haven’t signed the papers yet, but we will as soon as I get back.’

Anna was quiet.

‘It’s a good thing, really. The last four years, well, our entire marriage, has been … tough.’ Caroline exhaled. ‘It wasn’t what I imagined.’

‘Did he cheat on you?’ Anna asked sharply.

‘What?’ Caroline’s head snapped up. ‘No! You know Finn. He would never do that.’

‘What happened then?’ Anna’s voice softened. ‘I mean … If you want to tell me.’

They stopped at the back of what appeared to be a long traffic jam.