Page 4 of Huckleberry Hill (Saddles & Spurs #1)

Chapter Three

The Ranch

“Gianni and I broke up,” I said flatly. “So, going to Italy with him would’ve been a very bad idea.”

Muddy stopped eating and Dad’s cup of coffee had been halfway to his lips when I’d dropped the truth bomb.

“When did you break up?” Muddy asked finally.

“A week ago,” I said, my chest pinching with pain.

“A week?” Muddy repeated. “A week ago, and you didn’t tell us?”

“I wasn’t ready to share the news,” I mumbled. “After a few days of wallowing, Salem thought it would be good for me to come home for a while. Wyn and Poet agreed.”

Dad still hadn’t said anything. I looked at him and waited.

He set his coffee mug down and shoved back from the table. Without a word, he strode from the house, the front door slamming shut.

“What was that about?” I asked Muddy.

“Pretty sure your father is about to have some words with the new wrangler.”

“About what?”

“About you.” Muddy grinned.

“What about me?”

“Not to go near you. Especially now that you’re newly single and ripe for the picking.”

“Ripe? I’m not ripe. I’m heartbroken.”

“Are you?” Muddy murmured.

I glared at her. “Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?”

“Get all witchy on me.”

Muddy laughed as she picked up her coffee cup. “Don’t think I didn’t notice how Declan was looking at you. Or how you were looking at him.”

“You couldn’t have noticed. You were cooking.”

“Wasn’t looking with my eyes, honey. I heard the two of you. Sparks, m’dear. You two have sparks.”

I kept silent.

“I like Declan,” Muddy continued.

“Hmm.”

“I can see his appeal. Handsome devil.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” I lied.

“Dark hair, too. Tall. Chin dimple. Your type right?”

“ Muddy .”

Muddy sniggered, but then she sobered. “It’s none of my business how you get over your breakup. But I will give you a piece of unsolicited advice—if you want Declan to keep his job, you’ll steer clear of him.”

“I have no intention of going near him.”

Muddy looked at me, steady. Her hazel eyes burned gold with intensity. “Why are you really home?”

“To get over my breakup.”

She picked up her fork. “You never were a good liar, Hadley. And living in New York hasn’t changed that.”

I didn’t know how to respond to her, but I didn’t have to. The front door opened, and Dad came inside and retook his seat.

“What did I miss?” Dad asked.

“Nothing,” Muddy said. “What did you say to Declan?”

“I told him if he didn’t want to be gelded, then he needs to stay far away from Hadley.”

“ Dad ,” I groaned. “You’re so embarrassing.”

He pointed his fork at me. The end of it was covered in gravy-drenched biscuit. “I don’t care that you’re a grown woman or that you can make your own decisions. Declan is a wrangler on this ranch first and foremost, and he will not be wrangling you.”

“Can we please talk about something else?”

“Why did you and Gianni break up?” Dad finally asked.

“Because we realized we wanted different things,” I said. It wasn’t the whole truth, but it was close enough that hopefully my family wouldn’t ask any more questions.

“Sorry, honey,” Dad murmured.

“Thanks. I’m moving forward. Can we not talk about it anymore?”

“We’ve barely talked about it at all,” Muddy said.

I looked at her.

“Fine, your prerogative,” she said.

“Why didn’t Salem come home with you?” Dad demanded.

“Because Salem has to work,” I replied. “She can’t just take a month off to come home.”

“No, maybe not,” Dad allowed. “But she could’ve spared a few days, don’t you think?”

“She’s up for a big promotion,” I said. “She’s keeping her nose to the grindstone.”

“Good for her,” Muddy said. “It’s taken her a while to find something she loves and wants to pursue. We should all be supportive of that. Shouldn’t we, Connor?”

My father grunted.

“She’ll be home for Christmas,” I said.

“That’s nearly ten months away,” Dad groused. “You’re staying the full month you were supposed to be in Italy, right? You’re not thinking of running back to New York in a week, are you?”

“I’m staying the month,” I assured him. “The restaurant is closed for renovations. And I talked to my boss at the stables and he took me off rotation for a while. So, I’m free as a bird.”

My phone buzzed with a text from Poet in our group chat. It was quickly followed by Wyn.

I turned my phone over so I couldn’t see the screen constantly lighting up.

“I’ll take your suitcase upstairs,” Dad said. “And put it in your room.”

“Thanks.” I rose from the table and grabbed my plate. I leaned down and brushed a kiss to my grandmother’s cheek. “Thanks for breakfast. Leave the dishes. I’ll do them for you later.”

“You look exhausted,” Muddy said. “You should take a nap.”

“Nah. If I nap, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.” I went into the kitchen and set my plate in the sink.

Dad went to the front room and lifted my suitcase. I followed him up the stairs, stopping off at the linen closet and grabbing a set of clean sheets.

“Here we go,” Dad said as he pushed open my childhood bedroom door and placed the suitcase upright by the big window that faced the front of the property. I had an unencumbered view of the pens and corrals. I didn’t see Declan, though, and I immediately hated that I was looking for him.

“I’m taking a few of the boys and riding out,” Dad said. “I want to get a handle on the bear situation. See what that’s about.”

Nodding, I set the sheets down on the bed and glanced at my phone.

“You mind if I take the truck to town?” I asked.

“Have at it.” He hugged me again. “I’m glad you came home, honey. It hasn’t been the same since you and Salem left.”

I buried my face in my father’s flannel shirt. I breathed in, expecting him to smell like his favorite Oak Barrel cologne and saddle soap.

But the faintest trace of jasmine perfume lingered on his collar.

I pulled away from him.

“I’ll bring you something from Sweet Teeth,” I said, turning away. “Want anything in particular?”

“Whatever Gracie’s newest experiment is,” he said. “Tell her I said hello.”

“Will do.”

Dad left and closed the door behind him.

He’d stayed the night with a lady friend, and he hadn’t wanted to tell me.

That was fine. I had secrets of my own.

I turned my attention back to my phone. Because I hadn’t answered in a timely manner, Poet had called twice. Wyn texted sporadically.

Me

Too much to explain via text. FaceTime tonight?

My phone blew up immediately with replies.

Poet

Yes!

Wyn

I’m free after 7 EST. Gotta put the kid to bed first. Can’t expect the parents to do it.

Salem

That works for me.

Poet

Me too.

I opened the bedroom window to get some fresh air. I heard the whinny of a horse coming from the stables and I longed to get in a ride.

Me

I’m running on fumes so the conversation won’t be long.

Salem

I’m still waiting on a picture.

Wyn

Picture? Picture of what?

Salem

The new wrangler that saved Hadley from the bear.

Poet

Whaaaat?! Details! This can’t wait until tonight.

Me

It’ll have to.

Wyn

Edger. You’re an edger of information.

I set my phone on the nightstand and then made the bed before sitting on the edge of the mattress, staring off into space. My gaze caught on the framed photograph on the nightstand.

A family photo. Salem and I were twelve and making goofy faces at the camera while my mother and father stared at one another in blissful adoration.

I ran a finger across my mother’s face. “Miss you, Mom.”

My mind immediately went back to the scent clinging to my father’s collar.

I wouldn’t bring it up to him. Nor would I mention it to Salem. It would only make her lose her cool.

With a groan of exhaustion, I hoisted myself up. I pocketed my cell phone before padding downstairs.

I quickly loaded the dishwasher and set it to run. Then I grabbed the truck keys, my coat, and was out the door.