“Bullshit,” he says, muffling the word with a fake cough into his hand.
“OK, how ‘bout I say it’s nothin’ I can’t handle. Just got to hope she’snotfeelin’ them.”
Wyatt shakes his head. “It doesn’t work that way, Jude. It’s not one-sided. The physical effects of the Call when you’re not with your One are universal.”
“I’m just happy that she replied. Maybe now we can chat and get to know each other. I figure that’ll be a good start. Build a strong foundation of friendship first. That’s what happens in all of Aster’s books so that’s what I’m focusin’ on.”
“You and those books. You know life can’t be dictated by a book, just like relationships don’t always work out the way they do in romance novels,” he says.
I roll my eyes with a sigh. “I know. It would be a hell of a lot easier if they did, that’s for sure.”
“From your mouth to God's ears, Jude.” He reaches out and cups my shoulder. “Just know, there ain’t nobody on this mountain that deserves it more than you. I'll be here for whatever you need, whenever you need it, just to make this happen. OK?”
“Yep. And I’ll take you up on that, startin’ now. How ‘bout we stop ramblin’ and start plantin’. Seems I’ve got a message to reply to.”
Dare: Heard from my sister yet?
Jude: Are you a psychic or something?
Dare: Nope. Knew she got a message from you when she called to chew us out.
Jude: Did she not WANT me to have her number?
Dare: Honestly, I don’t think Em knows WHAT she wants right now. Or if she does, she ain’t telling us. Way I see it, she wouldn’t have called us if she didn’t care. She would’ve just deleted the message.
Jude: That’s a good thing then?
Dare: With Em, yeah. I think you’ll be OK. What did she say anyway?
Jude: Hey Hubby!
Dare: Hahahahahaha God I love my sister.
I’m not about to tell him I’m destined to love her too. Though I’m not sure it’s a secret.
Dare: You replied back to her, right?
Jude: I’m getting there. We had to harvest the last remaining crops and plant a few more. Like you guys should be doing soon too.
Dare: You telling me how to run my ranch?
I laugh at that, earning a curious look from Case and Isla who are cuddling on the sofa watchingJeopardy!of all things. Will and Birdie are in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner and Sutton and Blair have gone down the mountain for a date night somewhere secret.
Jude: I don’t think anyone could tell you what to do. Maybe Em could though.
Dare: Now I see the plan. Make my sister fall in love with you so she’ll come back and you can take over the mountain.
Jude: Never thought of that. Thanks for the idea. I’ll be sure to keep it in mind.
Dare: That prenup of yours helped your case. Why else would I be helping you?
Jude: I’ll remember that the next time I fake-marry someone.
Dare: Go message Em. Don’t leave her waiting. If she reached out, it’s because she wanted to. She doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to.
Jude: I’ll take note of that for future reference.
Dare: Your life will be a hell of a lot easier if you do. Talk soon.