Jo leaned down and slipped Ryan’s new Chester book from her bag. “Hey, look what I brought you.”
Ryan’s head popped up, and he smiled. “Can we read it now?” He tossed his video game aside.
Linda grunted from the front seat again. “You told me you hate to read, Ryan. What’s up with that?”
Ryan’s little shoulders drooped. “I like Chester.”
Really? What mother took offense to her kid reading a book? Or maybe it was because Ryan was reading it with Jo. Well, too bad. Linda could have sat with Ryan if she’d wanted to instead of sitting up front and making googly eyes at Chad.
It was going to be a long day.
By the time they arrived at the ranch, it was clear that Chad had read Linda’s intentions correctly. She was trying to win him back. That his fiancée was sitting in the backseat hadn’t stopped Linda from laying her hand on Chad’s shoulder and flirting with him the entire ride.
It was irritating, but she’d decided after her last kiss with Chad, being friends was all they were going to be. It’d be too easy to fall for him again and get hurt.
She’d missed her best friend and was ready to try to move on. Her mom had said people make mistakes when they’re young. The pain written on Chad’s face when they’d talked about Bryce showed that Chad clearly felt remorse for what had happened. And, in his defense, he’d tried to make amends again after Bryce died, but she hadn’t been ready.
Maybe she’d even go to the cemetery with him, if he still wanted to go. She needed to move fully past that part of her life too. Then maybe she’d be ready for a new man. One who would want to start a family, and who’d be focused on their relationship instead of some all-consuming career like Chad had.
Chad tapped the horn as they approached the ranch house. Mary came out of the barn, waving and signaling for them to join her. They pulled up in front of the house and all piled out of the truck. The icy wind had picked up, so Jo leaned down and zipped up Ryan’s coat. “Ready to go see the baby horse?” She used to love to visit the horses on the ranch with Chad.
Ryan stood patiently as Jo pulled on his wool cap. “It’s called a foal, Jo.”
“You’re right. I sometimes forget how smart you are.” She gave his pudgy nose a tap with her forefinger.
Linda appeared and stuck out her hand in Ryan’s direction. “I got this now. Come on, Ryan.”
As Jo stood and watched Linda tug Ryan toward the barn, he looked over his shoulder and smiled at her. It reminded her that no matter what a jerk Linda was, she was his mom and he was happy to see her.
A big arm slipped around her waist. “Now she’ll probably pretend to be a good mother in front of my mom. It’s all part of the act. Ready to start our own?”
“Yep.” How he could be so warm when it was cold out had always been a mystery to her. But she wasn’t above using some of his body heat, so she moved closer to his side as they slowly walked to the barn. “What happened when Ryan saw Linda this morning?”
Chad slowed their pace to give them time to talk. “He freaked out and cried at first, but then he got mad at her. I was kind of proud of the way he read her the riot act for leaving him behind. He was punishing her by ignoring her in the truck. But I don’t think he can keep that up. He loves her.”
“Funny how it’s possible to love someone and still be so mad you could punch them, right?”
They stepped through the sliding doors to the barn. As Chad shut them, he whispered, “Or poke them?”
She glanced his way and smiled. Safer not to answer that one. She wasn’t sure she still loved him, but feelings for the man were definitely still there. She’d settle for friends for now.
Mary was waiting for them, and her face lit up. “Jo! It’s so good to see you.” She opened her arms for a hug, and Jo gladly stepped inside the circle of love and goodness that was Mary. She was tall like Jo, soft all over, and had always made Jo feel welcome. Mary’s hair had turned a solid gray, but otherwise, she looked just as Jo remembered.
“I’ve missed you, Mary.” Jo hugged her back and then whispered, “I’m so sorry about Mike. I didn’t know or I would’ve come sooner.”
“I know, honey. No worries.” Mary leaned back and grinned from ear to ear. “You just look fantastic. Want to see what kept Chad so long yesterday?”
“Yes! Can’t wait.”
Chad said, “What about me? Don’t I get a hug too?”
Mary chuckled as she wrapped Chad up in a hug. “You’re a brave man, bringing both of your exes here.”