Page 45

L ast night felt like something out of a storybook.

Jensen was romantic and charming, and meticulously planned every detail, right down to the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches he knows are my favorite.

We stayed wrapped up in each other under the stars until the cool breeze had me shivering, and he insisted we go back to the ranch house to get Caleb.

It was the perfect date, and made one thing crystal clear: my heart belongs to a man who loves his son fiercely, and has shown tremendous strength in his vulnerability.

What started as a fling has grown into so much more, and the thought of him and Caleb leaving ties my stomach into knots, making me wonder if he might feel the same way.

Mama Julie’s words from the night of the barbecue have been on repeat in my mind: you won’t know unless you ask .

Easier said than done.

Although I wanted to bring it up, I decided to hold on to one more carefree night without heavy conversations and difficult decisions. Instead, I chose to enjoy our evening under the stars, pretending we didn’t have a care in the world.

But I know avoiding the subject any longer will only lead to regret. Which means we have to talk soon, no matter how much I fear the outcome won’t be in my favor. Now I just need to find a time when Jensen and I are alone.

This morning, I had an early start with cabin maintenance and was out the door before Jensen went on his run. A family is checking into cabin one today, and I had to replace a light fixture that keeps shorting out.

It’s nearly noon when I’m finished, and I swing by the general store with a crate of supplies to drop off, including coffee grounds, tea bags, and a few jars of local honey for the welcome baskets that Ethel swears are the reason the five-star reviews keep rolling in.

The last thing I expect to see when I walk in is Ethel perched on the counter next to the pastry display, legs locked around Earl, and the two of them making out like teenagers.

Despite the bell chiming above the door, neither of them notices me.

They’re too busy putting on a PDA performance worthy of a reality dating show.

Ethel runs her hand down Earl’s chest, and when it drifts dangerously southbound, he groans. I whip my head away so fast I almost drop the box in my hands.

I stumble backward, open the door again, then slam it shut more forcefully than necessary. Yet I still don’t get any acknowledgement that I’m standing here as they round to second base.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

I clear my throat loudly. “Should I book you two a cabin?”

That gets Ethel’s attention, and she glances my way with a lopsided grin.

“Hey there, sweetie.” She waves. “Don’t mind us. Earl’s got the stamina of a stallion, and our romp at my place this morning wasn’t enough to tire him out.”

“That’s right, darlin’.” Earl chuckles. “Can’t keep my hands off you, even if I tried.” He gives her another kiss before stepping back to look at me. “Heard the city slicker finally staked his claim. I knew you two would be an item.” He wags his finger at me.

“He might be heading back to New York soon,” I reply, sidestepping the question as another knot twists in my stomach.

“You sure about that?” Earl asks, grabbing a chocolate donut from the case and taking a big bite.

“Saw the city boy in town last week wearing boots, Wranglers—the whole nine yards. That getup won’t make it five blocks in the big city.

” I can’t help but giggle, picturing Jensen strutting around New York, hat tipped low, as people give him curious glances.

“No, it wouldn’t,” I agree.

I’ve fallen for the version of him that belongs in Bluebell—dusty boots, cowboy hat, and worn-in jeans. The thought of him in his three-piece suit back in his high-rise office makes my heart ache.

Ethel approaches Earl, running a red nail along his collar. “Darling, stop pestering Briar. You have a pickup at the bank in thirty minutes. Why don’t you get going so you’re not late? We’ll finish where we left off at my place tonight.”

“Alright, doll; you’ve got yourself a deal. Just don’t start without me.” He winks.

Earl brushes his thumb over her cheek, stealing one last kiss before grabbing his hat that must have fallen to the floor during their impromptu rendezvous. On his way out, he tips it in my direction.

“If the city slicker had any sense, he’d see what’s right in front of him and never leave.”

He’s not the only one hoping Jensen decides to stay.

“You’re too sweet, Earl. Drive safe. ”

He might have a heart of gold, but I wouldn’t want to be the passenger he’s picking up. Let’s hope he doesn’t have any flower bed massacres or trash can mishaps today.

Once he’s out the door, I carry the box I’m holding over to the counter where Ethel and Earl were getting frisky a minute ago.

I smirk at Ethel. “So… Earl’s a stallion, huh?”

She watches him drive off through the window with a sigh. “Let’s just say he’s got stamina that would put a racehorse to shame.”

I snort, covering my mouth. “Well, that’s an image I won’t be able to unsee.”

“Honey, at my age, pleasure’s a limited-time offer, and I’m not about to waste it on knitting and decaf.”

I admire her confidence. She owns her sexuality and isn’t shy about her desires or her relationship with Earl. They don’t bother with labels, but they seem content, so who am I to judge?

I envy her ability to be unapologetically bold, not caring about the consequences. Me? I’m tangled in a no-strings-attached situation with a man I’m falling for but am too afraid to voice my feelings. When did my life get so complicated?

She grabs the box from the counter. “Thanks for bringing more honey and the other supplies. I’m going to put a few more welcome baskets together before the afternoon rush.”

We typically have several guests stop by after their morning activities. Good thing I was the one who walked in on her and Earl. I doubt anyone else would’ve found that live show amusing.

“Sounds good.” I check the clock on the wall to see it’s later than I expected. “I’ve got to pick up Caleb soon, but I can swing by later if you need anything. Maybe next time, keep the Earl performance at home,” I suggest with a giggle.

“No promises.” She grins, strutting off to the storage room .

As soon as I step onto the porch, I pull out my phone and text the girls.

Backroads & Bad Decisions Group Chat

Briar: OMG. You’re not going to believe who I just caught mid-make-out.

Charlie: If the next word is Heath, I swear I’m going to be sick.

Briar: Ethel. And. Earl.

Briar: They were making out at the checkout counter in the general store.

Wren: I knew it!

Charlie: Pretty sure they’ve been sneaking around since dial-up internet was a thing.

Charlie: Props to Ethel. Get it, girl.

Birdie: But in the general store?!

Charlie: Hey, when the mood strikes, location becomes a suggestion, not a rule.

Charlie: Right, Briar?

Briar: Oh, I’m the poster child for PDA now?

Briar: Last time I checked, Jensen and I weren’t groping each other next to a shelf of pastries.

Charlie: It’s only a matter of time.

Birdie: Wait! I just realized my punch card is full. Next time I ride with Earl, it’s on the house!

I wonder when that’ll be, considering she’s still lying low.

Her dad and the deputies have continued investigating the disappearance of the missing farm animals from the fair, and it’s only a matter of time before they figure out Birdie’s involvement.

She’s lucky law enforcement moves at a snail’s pace in this small town, or she’d probably be in trouble already.

Wren: You’re not serious, right? You have to stop riding with him.

Birdie: I’m not passing up a free ride. That’s highway robbery.

Charlie: Not as bad as livestock theft.

Birdie: Too soon, Charlie. Too soon.

I walked to the cabins this morning, so I swing by the cottage to grab my car keys before heading out to pick up Caleb from camp.

I kick my boots off at the door before stepping inside.

“Anyone home?” I call out.

Jensen should be here, unless he’s out with Heath and Walker.

He’s been meeting them for lunch once a week, and occasionally lends a hand in the fields during the afternoon if his schedule permits.

He usually comes back covered in dust and sweat, but he always has a smile on his face.

It’s a world away from running his tech firm, yet it’s obvious how much he enjoys working on the ranch with the guys.

His truck is parked out front, so he should be around.

I head to the kitchen to find him seated at the table with his computer in front of him and his phone in hand, mid-conversation.

It’s on speaker, and I’ve heard enough of his calls to recognize his assistant Beth’s voice on the line.

She and Carlton, his chief operating officer, have been holding things down at DataLock Systems headquarters while Jensen’s been away.

He glances over, his face lighting up when he sees me.

“Come here, sugar,” he whispers, patting his thigh.

I eagerly obey, and when I get close, he pulls me onto his lap, winding his arm around my waist.

“Any other updates for me?” he asks Beth.

“Dawson had the hearing moved to this coming Tuesday,” she replies.

Jensen blinks, pulling up his calendar on his computer screen. “Wasn’t that scheduled for the end of the month?”

“There was a cancellation on the judge’s docket, so he filed a motion to move it up, and it was granted.”

“Your custody hearing?” I ask softly.

Jensen nods, pushing his glasses up his nose.

A sharp pang presses on my chest. He mentioned that he has temporary custody of Caleb, with a final hearing scheduled to grant full custody once they get back to New York.

I never imagined the hearing would be moved up by several weeks.

We were supposed to have the rest of August together, and now my mind spins with all the possibilities of what this could mean for us.