“Uh… when exactly would that be?”
She laughs. “Don’t sound so thrilled.”
“I’m not—I mean, I am, it just caught me off guard and I’m not thinking straight. Still trying to get settled here. A lot’s happened in the last twenty-four hours.”
“Oh? Anything juicy?” She waits, and I hesitate. I’d rather do this in person, but at this point, I might as well rip the Band-Aid off and tell her what’s going on.
“Yeah… I bought a property.” I exhale. “A farm with stables and a barn. It’s beautiful. I’m finally getting the horses I always wanted and going to start a boarding business. Hopefully I can get back into riding, too.”
“Hayes, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to see it in person.”
“Yeah, well… there was a catch to buying the land.”
“A catch?”
I clear my throat. “I had to marry the other person who made an offer on the place to get it… and then it was basically free.”
She’s silent for a beat.
“I’m sorry, did you justcasuallytell me that you got married today?”
Shit. Saying it out loud makes it sound even crazier. This is the first time I’ve told anyone about what happened. Working tonight distracted me from the decision I made but now that I’m sitting with it in the stillness of my truck, it’s finally sinking in that I have a wife.
I drag a hand over my scalp, trying to ground myself. I need a damn haircut, a stiff drink and about ten hours of deep sleep before I’m prepared to have this conversation.
“Yeah. I did.”
And then she bursts into laughter. Full, unfiltered, can’t-breathe kind of laughter.
“Hayes! You? Marriage?”
“It was a courthouse signing. Just paperwork. Her brother and sister-in-law were the only witnesses.”
“Oh my god. But youdidit? You reallydid it?”
“It was for the property. I had no choice.”
“Wow… Well, I can’t wait to meet your new wife. Or is it your new husband?”
I sigh. “She’s a woman.”
She cackles again. “Well, I’ll be there in the morning.”
“The—wait. What? I’m not even moved in yet. I was thinking about staying at the motel tonight instead.”
“Oh, no you don’t. Go spend your wedding night with your wife.”
I groan, tilting my head back against the truck’s headrest and closing my heavy eyelids.
“Scarlett, please don’t make this a whole thing when you get here. I want to see you, and you can stay as long as you want, but for the love of God, this is just a business transaction.Shesaid soherself. It’s not romantic for either of us. We aren’t in love. She’s going to manage the wedding business that the previous owner started, and I’ll be working with the horses in my downtime.”
“Got it. I believe you.” She pauses, then snickers. “But I’m still excited to see the place. And meet the woman who finally roped my perpetually single big brother.”
“Hmph.” I don’t even have the energy to argue with her anymore.
“See you in the morning! Sleep well!” She hangs up before I can say anything back.
Dammit.
