The calf was waiting, lowing softly in the horse trailer. The ranch wouldn’t run on wishes and grit alone—though it felt like that’s all he had left most days.
It was then Hayden realized that Roddy wasn’t waiting at the rig. But a text message told Hayden where to find his ranch hand—the Coffee Corner.
Coffee sounded good. But first, he had the newborn calf to feed.
Hayden entered the tight quarters of the full two-horse trailer, edging the saddled geldings aside. Both horses and the calf were interested in what he mixed in the feeding bottle. The youngster sucked down the colostrum, no problem. Nice and easy.
I needed that.
Something easy. Something hopeful. Something that indicated his efforts weren’t for naught.
His thoughts turned to Evie.
*
“The flowers were perfect, Josie,” Eve reassured the local florist, the one who’d made her wedding bouquets.
Eve, Katie, and Irene had finished their shopping and stopped at the Coffee Corner before heading back to the ranch. Everywhere they went today, Eve had been congratulated on her marriage.
Which would have been sweeter if my relationship with Hayden was real.
Eve’s smile felt strained. Turns out, lying about one’s marital status wasn’t as easy on one’s conscience as fibbing to a four-year-old about Santa Claus. If she wasn’t in love with Hayden, she’d probably have felt more guilt for letting Katie assume Eve and Hayden loved each other.
“The bouquets were perfect for the ceremony,” Mom seconded. She’d come down to the Coffee Corner after Eve texted her. “You’re so talented, Josie. No wonder your flower shop is a success.”
“I was happy to help the course of love.” Josie wasn’t much older than Eve. She wore a Bohemian dress and cowboy boots. Her wardrobe was as stylish as her flower arrangements. “I think it’s romantic that Eve and Hayden were friends hiding sparks from each other for years. And then, Hayden swept into town and swept Eve off her feet.” There was something wistful in Josie’s tone, as if the single mom aspired to a romance of her own. “May I see your ring?”
Eve held out her hand. The small diamond sparkled on her finger.
Josie cooed over Eve’s ring until her cell phone rang. “Oops. Gotta run. Someone needs to pick up a bouquet I made this morning.” She waved and left, taking her coffee with her.
Eve sipped her latte for the first time since she’d picked it up from the counter. Behind Mom, Irene and Katie played at the child’s table. Before they’d left the ranch, Katie had insisted upon changing into her glittery purple fairy dress with its removable shiny silver wings.
“Gran, you can’t wear my fairy wings,” Katie said in her most serious tone. “They’re my size. Not yours.”
Irene grinned. Her mood and confidence had improved considerably since they’d been jaunting about town. “The elastic loops on your wings will stretch for me. Don’t you want to see me fly around the room?” Irene flapped her bent arms as if they were wings.
“Can you really fly?” Katie asked, wide-eyed in amazement.
“You’ll have to let me give those wings a try to find out.” Irene touched Katie’s nose. “How about it?”
“Okay.” Katie slipped out of the elastic straps and handed her silvery wings over.
Eve’s heart melted.
“Well, this I’ve got to see.” Mom snapped a few pictures with her phone.
Soon, Irene and Katie were pretend flying around the coffee shop, waving imaginary wands to grant customer wishes.
I need a wish.
Even as the thought crossed her mind, Eve knew her most desired wish wasn’t likely to come true. Hayden was determined not to fall in love with anyone.
Roddy sat down across from Eve with a chocolate croissant and a blue drink with white boba at the bottom. Surrounded by well-wishers, Eve hadn’t seen Roddy come in. They’d been introduced once at the ranch, but she hadn’t spoken to him since her wedding day. The grizzled cowboy leaned closer to whisper, “I was sitting over in the corner, but you look like you could use a save from the town gossip train.”
“It is a bit overwhelming,” Eve agreed, grateful for his protection.
Case in point, several people entered the coffee shop, spotted Eve, gave her friendly waves and hearty congratulations, and then chattered all the way to the line, continuing to cast speculative looks her way.