Even though Cardinal and Sarah had begged me to go last summer, I’d had to study for my exams. They sent me pictures from the mountain, and I FaceTimed them on Wine Wednesday. I’d gotten to meet all the Hallow Ranch women. At the end of it, Mason Langston had appeared in the background, and my jaw nearly fell off. Watching bull riding was a secret hobby of mine, and Mason was the best.
The girls and I were planning a trip back to Hallow Ranch after I graduated.
“Denver Langston should open up a couple’s retreat.” Sarah hummed. “He’d make a killing.”
Slowly, Hayes looked over at me, and I felt my cheeks get hot. Just last night we were talking about escaping to a mountain cabin for a few days before I started my final semester.
“Margo?” Derek called softly, tapping me on the shoulder. “Can I ask you a question?”
Hayes’ throat worked, his chest rising and falling at an even pace, eyes on the child in my lap. Clearing my throat, I gave my focus back to him. “What’s up, bud?”
Derek looked at me with curious eyes, then turned his head, staring at Jake for a moment before bringing them back to me. “Is Jake a Viking?”
“Uh…”
Jake put down three chairs at the end of the table, chuckling. “My ancestors were…so, yes? I guess that technically makes me a Viking.”
Hayes sighed through his nose and looked up to the ceiling, mumbling something under his breath. Ash, who was standing beside him, nodded in agreement. Carrie brought me a glass of wine, and when my glass was nearly empty, dinner was served. Derek hopped off my lap and told me to sit by him, grabbing my hand and dragging me to the far end of the table. Once I got him situated in his chair, I turned to pull mine out, but Hayes’ hand was there. I looked up at him, our family talking and laughing all around us as he stared down at me.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He nodded once, pulled out my seat, and said, “Give me your glass, baby. I’ll get you a refill.”
I nearly flinched, the warmth in his voice cascading around me, melting the ice wall he’d built between us just hours ago. When my ass was in the seat, I passed him my wineglass, and hedisappeared into the kitchen. Cardinal’s eyes caught mine at the opposite end of the table and she lifted her phone, pointing at it.
A second later, my phone chirped. As the twins argued about the correct butter ratio for a roll, I bent my head, reading her text.
Cardinal: Grayson and Hayes had a conversation outside. There’s news.
Me: About what?
I lifted my head, gaping at her. Grayson was seated at the head of the table beside her, and as she texted me back, he put a piece of meat on her plate. He looked at her phone for a moment. When his eyes lifted to mine, I felt my stomach land on the floor with a disgusting splat.
No Thanksgiving dinner for me.
Grayson gave me a quick wink as my phone dinged. Hayes walked out of the kitchen, my wine in hand, eyes on Jake and Ash. They were currently fighting over the mashed potatoes. My man glared at them, and Dominic chuckled, his shoulder shaking. Michael reached over and snagged the bowl from Ash’s grip with a sigh.
“I would like some, Daddy,” Derek said proudly as I looked at my phone again.
Cardinal: The FBI arrested Gordon’s top dealer this morning.
Hayes’ deep voice filled my right ear then, his lips brushing against the shell of it. “I was going to tell you after dinner.”
Goose bumps rose as I sucked in a breath, my body heating.
“Margo wants some potatoes too, Daddy,” Daisy all but shouted as Hayes took his seat.
No, sweet girl, Margo didn’t want potatoes.
She wanted a hefty helping of truth, with a side of apology.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Margo
With the pale glow of the full moon illuminating the small path to the street, Carrie and Grayson calling out theirgoodbyes as the group parted ways from their porch. It was picturesque, like the ending scene of a Hallmark movie during the holidays. Hayes was right behind me. Close, warm, protective. His voice was smooth, calm like a sea without wind, as he murmured his goodbyes to Dominic, Jake, and Ash.
“Bye, Margo,” Ash said, bumping my shoulder. “Rossy having a Black Friday sale tomorrow?”