Page 32 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
Candy was already pulling her coat on.She hugged each of them in turn."I'm going to grab Deacon and run.I know I don't have to be at the bakery as early in the morning, but I still want to get in there to help out.I'd rather have an extra half hour of sleep than stand out there saying goodnight to everyone.Hopefully I'll see you all at the bakery tomorrow afternoon."
Instead of waiting for the guys to come in like they usually did, the women trooped out after Candy.
Deacon came straight to Candy and spun her around, much like the young cowboy at the airport had done with his girlfriend the other day.Ace went to Ari and cupped her cheeks in his hands as he pressed a kiss to her lips.Travis scooped Retta up as if she were his bride and strode away to his truck with her calling, "We'll see you guys soon."Trip came and took Shelley's hand, and it was only when Shelley gave her a meaningful look that Harper realized Cash wasn't the only guy left waiting.
She did a double take, and the world seemed to tilt sideways — but she wasn't just imagining it.Emmett was standing beside his truck, staring right at her while Cash spoke to him.
Shelley called goodbye, and Libby came to her.
"I know you prefer to keep your secrets — tell me to keep my nose out if you like — but are you and Emmett...?"
Harper shook her head rapidly.
"But is there something there?"Libby insisted.
Harper met her gaze and held it."You want the truth?"
"I wouldn’t be asking if I was happy to guess."
"Okay.The truth is that I don't know much more than you do at this point, but I'm hopeful.But if you think it's a terrible idea—"
"Hell no," said Libby."If something happens between you two, I'd be so happy.I know we haven't had a chance to get to know each other that well, but you have my number.Use it.If there's anything at all I can do to help push the two of you toward each other, I'm on board, okay?"
Harper hesitated."I don't want to push him anywhere."
Libby reached out to touch her arm."That's why I'm saying it.I think you and I are alike in a lot of ways — we don’t need anyone’s help, and we go after what we want, but only after we put everyone else first.It's obvious what Cash has done tonight, isn't it?"
"Oh, hell yeah," said Harper with a rueful smile.
"You'll get used to him."
"I think I already am."
"And are you okay with it?You can still ride along with us while he drops me home if you prefer."
Harper glanced over at Emmett again.At first, he'd looked kind of shell-shocked.Now he seemed a little more relaxed."For myself, I'm more than okay with it," she told Libby."I'm more than happy for Emmett to give me a ride home — as long as he is."
Libby smiled."Looks to me like he is.Cash is good at maneuvering everyone like pieces on a chessboard, but he hasn't been able to do it with Emmett for years.Well — that's not entirely true.He's put him in a couple of situations, but Emmett just turns around and walks away if he doesn't want to go along with it."She jerked her chin toward him."If he didn’t want to be here, he’d be back in his truck and on his way home.He's waiting for you, Harper.He's not going anywhere."
~ ~ ~
As soon as they arrived at the restaurant, Travis grasped Emmett's shoulder and gave it a shake."It was good to catch up with you, bud.I'll give you a call next week, okay?"
"Okay."Emmett was a little surprised when Travis jumped out and strode away without another word.Although, when the women came out of the restaurant, he understood.The guys were greeting them—claiming them.
And in his usual style, Travis headed straight for Retta and swept her up off her feet, carrying her away to his truck with nothing more than a wave.His heart ached as he watched the others—Ace with Ari, Deacon with Candy, and Trip with Shelley.He fastened his seatbelt and started the engine again, figuring it was better to just ride away and leave them to it.
But before he could put the truck in gear, his door opened, and Cash stood there."Where do you think you're going?"
"Home.You don't need me, do you?You're taking Libby now, right?"
"I am.But that doesn't mean I don't need you."
"What for?"
Cash inclined his head toward the entrance to the restaurant, and Emmett inhaled sharply when he saw Harper standing there with Libby.
His thoughts scattered for a moment, but it didn't take him long to figure out what Cash was up to.
