Page 88 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

I’m trying desperately to hold on to the fact that Sienna said he’s with a great family now, who is going to love him so much.

She wouldn’t tell me who they are, which is probably for the best. He wasn’t mine, but over the last few months, it really started to feel like he was.

Sighing, I run my hand over my face and realize there isn’t any other food on the counter or stove.Did she just cook for herself?

She speaks up like she read my thoughts. “You aren’t going to be eating here,” she says with a barely contained smirk on her face.

I fill the glass with water. “And why wouldn’t I be eating here?”

“Because you’re coming with me,” Conrad’s voice comes from behind me.

My eyes roam between the two of them as Conrad gives my mom a loving smile that she returns with a gentleness that doesn’t usually come from her.

My mom is the fiercest woman I’ve ever met. It’s one of the things I love the most about her. But there’s a calmness to her now as she looks at Conrad like she’s trusting him with something.

“Oh, okay,” is all I get out, trying to process what’s going on. I set my glass on the counter as he grabs my hand.

As we’re stepping out of the kitchen, I turn back to look at my mom over my shoulder. It almost looks like there’s tears in her eyes, but she blinks and they’re gone.

“Remember that life you told me you were going to go live,” she tells me with a wink.

I swallow, feeling the weight of something unknown yet not uncomfortable settle over me. Conrad’s hand squeezes mine, reassuring me.

“Go on. Let me eat in peace,” my mom says, returning to her normal snarky self.

“Love you, Mom,” I tell her, following Conrad to the front door.

“Love you, too,” I hear her say as I step outside.

“Conrad, where are we going?”

“You’ll see in a minute,” he says, pulling the truck to a stop on the side of the road.

My head swivels around, trying to figure out why he would be parked here.Wait. Is that the house Evelyn pointed at a few weeks ago?

I’m pretty sure it is, but all the lumber and equipment are gone. I’m pretty sure it has new siding and windows, too.

Conrad swings open my door.I didn’t even realize he’d gotten out of the truck.

I slide my hand into his. Rounding the front of the truck, I’m still questioning where he’s taking me until I see Austin and Brooks step out onto the porch of the small house.

“What’s going on?” I whisper to Conrad as we walk down the sidewalk that leads to the porch steps.

“I’d rather show you than tell you.”

Brooks pulls me in for a hug at the top of the steps, energy exuding from every inch of him. His giddiness sets some of my nerves over the unknown at ease.

Austin is leaning against the door frame where the bright blue front door hangs.I always wanted a bright-colored door.

He wraps his arm around my shoulders, turning to open the door. “You ready?”

Ready? For what?

“I guess so,” I say, because if these three men are here, I’m ready for whatever life throws our way.

He swings open the door, guiding me into the space. My eyes roam over the interior of what I expected to look like a house, but it doesn’t.

I feel Conrad and Brooks step in behind us as my mind starts to process what this is.It’s a studio.