“Not in so many words, but why would I marry her if I didn’t love her? It seems obvious.”
That earns me an eye roll. “Think about it, Parker. Think about how Bluebonnet grew up, all the things her mother told her. She won’t infer that you love her because she doesn’t think she deserves you. She thought Chris was a special case, not like other guys.”
Leaning on the doorframe, Chris raises an eyebrow and bites back a laugh.
“I didn’t know you were there.” Paisley reaches for his hand. “You are special, but I’m trying to make a point.”
Dad walks up and waves. “I hate to interrupt, but this package came for you.” He hands it to me.
Paisley gives him a look. “Parker, you once told me that you’d do almost anything for Bluebonnet. Can you risk your heart and tell her you love her? She needs to hear it. And it needs to be convincing. And you need to trust her to be honest with you.”
“I gotta go.”
Mom pushes me out the door. “They’re meeting in the mess hall at two. You have five minutes. Drive safe.”
I dash back to my truck and toss the package in the passenger seat. Hopefully, the earrings turned out nice, but looking at them can wait until later. Getting back to the ranch is what’s important. I just hope I’m not too late.
Chapter 33
Bluebonnet
Clutching the ring box in my hand, I step onto the porch outside the mess hall. John should be here any minute, so I don’t have long to chat with Ava.
There’s a chair by the door, and beside it, a basket with her current crochet project in it. On the far end of the porch is a table set up with the coffee pot, cups, and all the extras. It looks like Ava’s planning a patio mixer.
I poke my head inside. “Ava?”
“Just pulling these muffins out of the oven. The guys will want something with their coffee.” She flashes a warm smile. “I’m glad you called me.”
“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble. I just wanted to have someone close by.” My plan fell apart when Parker vamoosed like he did, and I had to think quickly. So I called Ava. And she mentioned that she’d have backup. From the looks of it, she’s invited all the ranch hands to her little tea party. Except she’s serving coffee.
“I’ll be right outside, and I’ll keep the others out. Unless you need us. Then we’ll be on that guy like a swarm of bees.” She smoothes her apron and pinches her lips as if she’s trying to decide whether or not to say something. “But hopefully, it won’t come to that.”
“Right.”
She wipes her hands on her apron. “Some nerve he has coming back to talk now.”
“He wants his ring back. I haven’t told him about the miscarriage.”
“Oh. Well, I can have Dag give him the ring if you don’t want to see him.” Ava nestles the muffins into a basket lined with a dish towel.
Nothing could convince me to get back with John now that I’ve seen him for who he is, but Parker is right. This is something I have to do myself. “Thanks, but Parker thinks I should talk to John.”
“Does he now?”
Boots sound on the porch, and Ava hurries out the door. “Hey, fellas. Stay out here. I have coffee and muffins.”
Dag leans in the door and flashes a thumbs-up. “If you need us, just holler.”
“Thanks.” I walk to the far side of the table, then grab a seat near the middle. I’m situated so that I can see who’s walking toward the door. And it would be awkward for him to walk all the way around the table. So this way, he won’t try to hug me or anything.
After a few deep breaths, more footsteps sound and all the conversation on the porch stops. John’s expression is priceless. It’s like he’s never seen a bunch of cowboys having coffee.
There is a certain satisfaction in seeing my ex intimidated.
Ava’s voice breaks the silence. “She’s in there.”
John nods and steps inside, closing the door behind him. “What’s with all the hicks having coffee? And the woman knitting looks like she’s ready to watch an execution.”
