Sadie
I sat in my room, staring at the roses and wondering what I should do. There was only one person I wanted to talk to in this situation, and it wasn’t Olivia, or Lucy, or Arya, or Amelia. All of them were absolutely fantastic in giving me advice, but none of them was my best friend.
I wanted to talk to Wyatt. I wanted to tell him about Dominic Olivio and ask his advice because I trusted him. Even after everything, I knew that he would tell me exactly what to do. I knew that he’d have my back and that he’d support me. And even though I knew those women would as well, they just didn’t know me like he did.
I was just about to call him when my phone rang. Wyatt. My heart immediately melted.
“Hey!” I answered.
“Hey, there, Sadie. It’s me, Wyatt.”
“I know.”
“You sound surprised to hear me.”
“Really, I sound surprised?”
“No, you sound excited, but I wasn’t sure if you thought I was someone else.”
“Why would I think you were someone else, Wyatt?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because you haven’t sounded excited to hear me in a long time.”
“I’m always excited to hear from you. What’s going on?”
“I was wondering if you want to come over to the ranch.”
“Sure. You just want to hang out?”
“Well, I want to hang out and celebrate.”
“Celebrate what?”
“I got the money.”
“What money?”
“I got the money for the business, to buy the yearlings. The family’s given me a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I’m looking now at flights so that I can go and buy some horses.” He sounded absolutely ecstatic.
My heart leaped for joy. “Oh my gosh. Congratulations, Wyatt! That is the best news ever. I’m so happy for you. I didn’t even know you were going to be talking to Beau today. When did this happen?”
“Actually, I spoke to the entire family. They all support me.”
“No way!”
“Yes way, but come on over, and I’ll tell you more.”
“Okay. I’ll just get my stuff ready, and I’ll come over.”
“Sounds good.”
“I think my mama made some muffins. I can bring them over.”
“Ooh. Did she make her famous chocolate chip and blueberry muffins?”
“Yep. And she made some banana walnut as well.”
He laughed. “I cannot wait. But don’t tell my mom because she just made a bunch of cookies.”
“Uh-oh,” I said. “I don’t want to get Amelia mad at me.”
“She’d never be mad at you. Now, hurry up. We’ll have some wine or beer or cider, whatever you want. I want to celebrate.”
Do you have any of that rekordelig?”
“Oh my gosh! Not that expensive Swedish cider, Sadie.”
“Yes. If we’re celebrating, then we should celebrate with something good.”
“Fine. I’ll check. You hurry up, now, Sadie.”
“I’m on my way, Wyatt.”
“I’ve missed you,” he said softly.
“I missed you too,” I said and then hung up quickly and hurried into the kitchen.
“Hey, Mama. I’m going to take some of the muffins over to the Hamilton ranch. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Tell Amelia and Arya I said, hi.”
“Will do. You going to be okay?”
“Of course, dear.”
“You sure?” I knew that she wasn’t fully over my father’s transgressions. It was hard living here. Not because I didn’t love my parents and not because we didn’t have a good life, but because I knew there was so much under the surface that they didn’t talk about. It wasn’t like Horseshoe Ranch where the Hamiltons were in each other’s faces and calling each other out. My mom didn’t do that to my dad. She truly believed that my father was the head of the household, and as such, he could get away with anything. It made me sad to know that her entire life would be like this.
Not that she hated it. And not that it was a bad life, but the fact that my father cheated, and that she wouldn’t say anything against him, let alone leave him made me sad. Not that I wanted her to leave him, but I wanted her to know she had options. I knew she didn’t feel like she had any.
“I’m glad that you’ve made up with Wyatt,” she softly.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m glad that you guys are talking again.”
“How do you know that we weren’t?”
“Because Amelia and I spoke.” There was a twinkle in her eye. “And between you and me—” she paused.
“Yes, Mom?”
“I much prefer Wyatt Hamilton to Dominic Olivio, or even Shane Wakefield.”
“Mom, what? How do you know so much?”
“We live in a small town, dear. And you know how everyone talks.”
“I guess so.”
“And Wyatt is your best friend. Don’t let a kiss come between you.”
“Oh my gosh, Mom!” I could feel my face redden. “How much do you know?”
“I know enough to know that kissing friends make the best friends.” She smiled. “I wasn’t always married to your father, you know. I’ve had other loves.”
“Oh my gosh, Mom. Really?”
“Well, sure. I think I told you my first kiss was with Jimmy, and Jimmy was my best friend through elementary school and high school. And sometimes I still think about him.”
“Really? Do you wish you would’ve married him instead of Dad?”
“No, because I wouldn’t have had you. And Jimmy was really nerdy,” she confided. “Very handsome, very charming, and a great kisser, but sort of a super-nerd. No, I’m happy with your father, even after everything.” She squeezed my hand. “I know it’s hard to understand. You’re an idealist and a romantic, but your father’s not so bad.”
“I know, Mom,” I replied.
“Thank you for listening to me.” She handed me a container full of muffins. “Now you go and take this over to Horseshoe Ranch. I’ll see you later.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
I drove quickly down to Horseshoe Ranch. I was excited to see Wyatt and to be able to have a conversation with him that wasn’t clouded by our kisses. I knew we had to talk about it, of course. We had to figure everything out and so that it didn’t happen again.
As I pulled up to Horseshoe ranch, I could see Wyatt waiting outside. I jumped out of the truck and hurried to the front with the container in my hands.
“What are you doing?” I asked him.
“I was waiting on you. Come on now.” He grabbed the container of muffins and opened it. “Mm, still warm.” He pulled one out and took a bite into it.
“Wyatt!”
“What? I love your mom’s muffins. So, Sadie?” He asked me as we walked into the house.
“Yes, Wyatt?”
“Did my kisses make you disappear?”
“We’re not going to have this conversation again, are we?”
He stopped and looked at me, a questioning look on his face. “Did my kisses make you disappear?”
“No, Wyatt. Your kisses did not make me disappear.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I’m sure.”
“Good.” He leaned forward and gave me a light kiss on the lips.
I waited for him to step back and raised an eyebrow. “What was that for?”
“I just wanted to know if my kisses would make your heart race.”
“Really, Wyatt Hamilton?
“What?” He laughed. “Your heart’s not racing?”
“… No.”
“Liar.” He grinned. “You’re such a liar, Sadie Johnson.
“And I don’t know why you keep kissing me, Wyatt Hamilton.”
“Well, I just wanted to know if this sexual chemistry between us was going to be an issue.”
“Sexual chemistry between us!” I scoffed, though I wanted to fan myself.
“Yeah. Is it going to be an issue for you, Sadie?”
“I don’t think so, Wyatt. There’s not going to be an issue for me, because I don’t think a kiss equals sexual chemistry.”
“Really?” His lips twitched.
“No. Is it going to be an issue for you?”
“It’s not going to be an issue for me. So, Sadie?”
“Yes, Wyatt?”
“Come with me to North Carolina.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Come with me to North Carolina. I’m going to bid on the horses at the auction.”
“You want me to come with you to the auction?”
“Yeah. Do you have anything else going on right now?”
“I kind of have some business plans …”
“It’s next week. Do you have any business plans in place that need to happen next week?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you scared, Sadie?”
“Why would I be scared?”
“Then come with me. I dare you.”
He knew exactly what to say. When Wyatt Hamilton dared me, there was no way I could say no.
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll come to the auction. Don’t mind if I do.”
“Good,” he grinned at me. “Then it’s a plan.”