Page 98 of Fake It Till You Make It

They’d done it. He and Amarie working together.

“I would’ve told you boys sooner, but Amarie had to be found and Eli got me so fighting mad acting like he didn’t have the sense God gave a sheep.”

“I’m sorry, Leah,” said Amarie.

“I’m sorry, Momma.”

Their apologies overlapped. Maybe Eli read too muchhope into them being in sync. He’d never have saved his family without Amarie. His mother was right, they were partners. And the partnership needed mending thanks to his shortcomings, not hers. Amarie was generous, loving, one of a kind. He’d damaged them with his pride, his anger, his self-doubt.

“I’m not the only one you owe an apology to.” His mother angled her head in his brothers’ direction.

“Sorry. I was wrong.”

Noah grinned. “You sure are. You gotta stop letting the ladies push your buttons, big brother.”

“Tobias,” Eli prompted when he stayed quiet.

“I’ll get over the secret,” he offered. “Dad was wrong.”

“I know that.” Eli nodded. “We both were. He should’ve told Mom about the Pendletons and the finances. And I should’ve fessed up about using my college fund to pay off the loan.”

“Ever since Dad took out the loan against the property, I wondered why he would do it. Now I understand he was paying you back,” Tobias whispered.

“He didn’t have to.” In fact, Eli wished to heaven he hadn’t. Thankfully, the house would be someone else’s responsibility in a matter of days.

“That was his way,” Noah said of their father. “I can’t fault him now.”

“But?” Eli prompted, because Tobias leveled him with a guilty glare.

“Cara was never good for you, Eli. A blind bat could see that woman was trouble. Amarie is the best thing that ever happened to you, and you messed it up. I’ll forgive you when she does.”

“Tobias, you have my word. As soon as I get this woman alone, I’ll eat crow, grovel, and beg her to keep me.”

“Make sure you do, Eli. ’Cause if Amarie is not smiling by the time I finish the breakfast dishes, you’ll be the one in the doghouse.”

“Whew,” Noah said through his teeth. “And trust me, big brother, his bark is a lot bigger than yours.”

“Amarie.” Eli said her name as if the very syllables would break if he spoke them too loud.

“Here,” she said, reaching into her backpack to hand him a purple three-ring binder.

Eli accepted it. “What’s this?”

“It’s a standard operations procedure manual, an SOP, like they have in the military.” Her mouth lifted at one corner.

“For what, sweetheart.”

“I, ah—I never intended to take over your business. Inside is all the login information for every account, social and otherwise, related to Calvary Veterinary Clinic. Though it goes against my nature, I’ve included the passwords and it’s handwritten the way you like.”

When had she done this for his business? Could Eli sink lower than a belly-slithering worm? Of course she would list everything he and her replacement would need to manage the clinic. He reached for her, pulling their bodies closer until they touched. She released a little grunt, as if in pain. Her body stiffened against his. No longer did she melt in his arms. The rejection, the loss of connection, felt like the breath had been severed from his body. He was empty without her. “Can we talk about us? How I’ll do anything to fix us?”

She hesitated. But then whispered, “Anything means nothing without trust, Eli.”

He bit back a curse, his body aching in response to the biting words.

“Good morning, everyone.” Bethany flowed down the steps in a white button-down, a pair of fitted jeans, and cowgirl boots.

“Mom.” Amarie rushed over. “What are you wearing and why?”