Page 46 of Break the Barrier

“I did not,” she says, rooting her feet in place. “You were bragging about a kiss that was the highlight of your year, and you were the one who said you’ve been into me since you met me.”

“And how did you feel about that?” I ask quickly, hoping that the fact that she was riled up would get her to confess something.

“I-I-I didn’t care for it,” she says, trying to pull her hands away, but I hold onto her right one.

I pull her to me, and though she was interested in not being near me right now, or at least, that was how she was acting, she followed my hand to me until her chest was pressed against mine.

I could feel the heat of her body, the inhale of her breath, and if my fourteen-year-old daughter wasn’t sitting not twenty feet away, likely watching every second of this, I would absolutely press my lips to hers and make her remember why that damn kiss was the highlight of my year.

“I think.” I pull her in closer, her head beside mine and my lips by her ear. “You’re a damn liar.”

Her intake of breath is all the warning I have before she shoves at my chest, spins around, and marches back to the bar. “Thanks for the dance!” I call out with a laugh and make my way back to the table.

Lue looks about ready to burst but doesn’t say a word.

Stetson smirks and nods toward Thea. “That looked like it went well.”

I smile back and lean into my seat. “It sure did.”

17

thea

“Damn—Imean,dang, I haven’t been inside of one of these in a long time.” I elbow Annmarie and take the lead, finding us a pew to sit in near the back.

It was early Sunday morning, and I had an urge to go to church. It’s not my first time at this church, but I was not a regular.

“Church is good for you. Broadens your knowledge,” I tell Annmarie, who rolls her eyes. Juniper stays quiet and people-watches as we sit down.

Growing up, we attended Sunday church every week, including Sunday school for all of us girls and some youth groups during the week. It was one of those things I assumed everyone did growing up, and now, in my thirties, I wanted to try it out again.

Even if my faith was slightly different nowadays.

I glance around the room and see a choir up front; a man is standing off to the side, and I assume he’s the pastor. He looksfamiliar, and I think I’ve seen him in Bottle Grounds for dinner with his family.

Looking to the right, I blink when I see a certain someone looking back at me. Luella Cash.

“Oh,” I say softly, surprised that Logan and his daughter were up early for church. I wave back at her and smile when she gives me a toothy grin.

“What is it?” Juniper whispers.

“They haven’t started yet, June,” I tell her when she does, smiling at her.

“It’s Mr. Cowboy,” Annmarie whispers back loudly, filling her in on who I’m waving at.

I look back over to their pew and see vibrant eyes looking back at me. Blushing, I duck my head and look away, but not before I see the little smirk that Logan always wears aimed my way.

Didi and Stetson sit with them in their row, and they look like the perfect little family.

I also see Dani Cash with her fiancé, her parents, and CT’s dad. Behind them are Graham and Quinn, with Quinn’s arms full of the little baby and her adorable daughter on the seat next to her.

They look like the perfect all-American family, and I wonder briefly what that’s like. Is it overwhelming to be a part of something like that? Or do they appreciate having so much support?

I couldn’t have gotten through what I did without my sisters. I knew Tori wasn’t happy with me, and I knew Ophelia was just a little too young to fully understand all that had happened when I was with Eric. Even so, they were there to be my support when I was going through hell.

Not telling them what was going on now, that I’d basicallyhanded Logan my life, that he was saving us from potential ruin, was not an easy feat.

Juniper would worry.