Page 73 of Take Me Home
She breathes out a long exhale. “Yeah. I would’ve warned you if I knew Blair was coming.”
“I know.” I look around us, making sure we’re alone, then wrap an arm around her waist. “Why’d she come?”
Hattie’s arms loop around my waist as she looks up at me with those gorgeous eyes. “It might sound strange, but Blair has always been my person. I’m an only child, and so is she…and we just sort of adopted each other as sisters.”
Bringing one hand up, I tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “That doesn’t sound strange at all.”
“I think she could tell I was confused and overwhelmed, so here she is.”
Hattie doesn’t expound on the confused and overwhelmed part, so I don’t push. But I want to know…want her to share that with me. I want her trust.
The familiar rumble of Hank’s ATV creeps up, and I reluctantly let go of her waist. Hattie takes a step back just as Bandit runs to greet us. Hank and Otto come to a stop beside the corral.
“Did we miss Tripp’s lesson?” Hank says, sliding out of the driver’s seat.
“They just left, but his second lesson is tomorrow,” Hattie tells him, her eyes twinkling with the promise of another lesson on the horizon.
“Damn it.” Hank frowns. “We’ll make sure we’re here for the next one.”
Otto tsks, still seated in the passenger seat of the ATV, Bronco is sitting next to him with his tongue out. “We would’ve made it in time if you hadn’t insisted Rocky’s shit smelled strange and we needed to change up his diet.”
Hank shrugs. “You know I have a sixth sense for these things.”
“You have the nose of a hound dog, is what you’ve got.” Otto rolls his eyes. “I’m heading in to get dinner started. Shepherd’s pie okay with you, Hattie?”
“Actually, Poppy is taking Blair and me into town…to the,” Hattie looks up as she thinks. “Cattle Canteen?” She grimaces as she says it, obviously unsure.
Hank and Otto glance at each other, then they both break into laughter.
Hattie huffs an awkward laugh, looking at me for a clue why they’re in stitches.
I shake my head at the two men before turning my attention to Hattie. “I think you meant the Bobcat Beer Garden.”
Hattie smirks, resting her fists on her hips and shooting Hank and Otto a good-humored glare. “Well, pardon me. In California, we don’t use many animal names. Even my mother and Raymond call their property The Townsend Manor.”
“Sorry, Hattie,” Otto says, still grinning. “Thanks for the laugh, though. You have fun tonight at the Cougar Clubhouse, okay?”
Hank bellows a loud laugh. “Or is it Grizzly Grill?”
“Okay, you two,” Hattie says, trying to remain serious but laughing.
Otto strides toward the main cabin, and Hank drives the ATV toward the garage with a grin still on his face. It hits me that I can’t recall a time when I saw those two have so much fun. I can’t remember the last time they laughed so hard…or simply enjoyed themselves. It’s good to hear them laugh. Hattie has brought them more joy than she’ll ever know.
“I better go help Blair get settled,” Hattie tells me once Hank and Otto are gone. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
I shrug. “You never know, you might see me sooner than that.”
She huffs a laugh at my ominous statement, and I watch her hips sway as she saunters off.
CHAPTER 28
Hattie
As usual, Blair came to Montana prepared for anything. How she fit multiple dresses perfect for a girls’ night into her carry on, I’ll never understand.
Poppy came over to get ready with us, and Blair practically forced the poor thing into a slinky Dior cocktail dress. Blair chose the most daring option, of course. A backless, dark pink number with thigh-high boots. And I was fine to take dress number three, a hunter green, off the shoulder sweater dress. Paired with leather Mary Janes boasting a four-inch heel.
All in a carry-on—Magic.
