Page 47 of Break the Barrier

That was who she was. She worried about everyone and was the person who would give you the shirt off her back if it would make you feel better. If there was something she could do to help someone, she would do it without hesitation.

But I didn’t want her to have to do that for me. She was in a place in her life that was good. She was happy, secure, and headed for a wonderful future here.

Derailing her would break my heart.

Annmarie would probably hit me if she knew what I was hiding, and I’ve been tempted to let her in on what was going on, even if she would probably threaten to end Eric’s life if he ever came near us. She was the backbone of our family more than she probably realized, but it was because she is levelheaded. She didn’t let things get to her and absolutely refused to involve herself in anyone’s drama.

But…she was happy. Maybe she didn’t show it like anyone else, but she was.

Ruining that for any of my sisters would break my heart.

Several times through the service and worship, I caught myself glancing to where Logan stood or sat, and several times, I caught him already looking back at me. His smile was mischievous, and his eyes told me that he was thinking of getting up to no good.

We leave the church first, and Annmarie takes a deep breath as soon as we’re out the door. She blinks and looks at me, herhand laying on her stomach. “Whew. Didn’t burn up. That’s a good sign, right?”

I laugh at her and shake my head, heading down the stairs.

For the first time in a long time, I’m wearing a light-blue sundress and flats. It’s dressier than I was for my date with Logan, but the sun is shining bright and hot today as June took over.

“That’s definitely a good sign, Annie,” Juniper replies, smiling proudly at her sister as if what Annmarie said was serious.

I bite back a laugh at the reply and make my way onto the sidewalk.

“Thea!” I hear my name called, and all three of us turn back to the voice. I smile when I see Logan rushing toward us. He’s got a light-green button-up on, tucked into clean jeans that lay over his shiny brown boots that seem to be his “dress boots.” And now that he’s outside the church, his straw hat is firmly in place over his slightly too-long hair.

I try really hard not to look pleased that he ran after me.

Annmarie pinches my side, and I jerk away with a yelp.

“No need to holler, I’m right here.” Logan grins at me when he stops in front of me.

“Ha, ha,” I reply sarcastically. “What’s up?”

“Where are you guys headed?” he asks, tipping his hat at my sisters. I’m pretty sure Juniper melts a little.

“Back to the bar. We have to work,” I reply, holding my bag a little tighter against my side.

“Ah, bummer. We wanted to invite you all to lunch at the Trevors’ place.”

“Oh, well, Juniper and I have to go to work, but Thea is free.” Ann gives me a little shove. I glare back at her.

“No, I’m going to work too.”

“Oh, no, we don’t need you,” Juniper says, picking up on what our sister is so obviously doing.

I glare at her. “I have inventory to do.”

“Didn’t you do that last night?” Ann pipes in, and I turn the glare to her.

Suddenly, my sisters think that they need to shove me at Logan. Can’t they see by the death glare on my face that I’d rather eat rusty nails than be alone with Logan right now?

“Great, sounds like you have the day off, Dorothy.”

“Okay, now you’re pushing it,” I tell him, holding a finger up to him and watching his little smirk become a full-grown smile. Doesn’t it hurt him to smile so much?

“Come on, Lue would love to see you and show you around the ranch.”

“I’ve already been there.”