Page 115 of Now and Then

I glance toward the door as Hunter steps in, scanning the crowd, followed by the rest of the guys. He traded his Stetson for a ball cap, and his flannel jacket is damp from the mist outside. His eyes find mine, and a warmth blooms in my chest. That man in a cowboy hat is one thing, but when he’s this more casual version of himself? Something inside me melts.

The bar noise fades a little. Greer nudges me under the table. “Here comes the bride,” she says in singsong.

I couldn’t hold my belly laugh even if I tried.

Hunter weaves confidently between tables and patrons. When he reaches me, his hand slides around the back of my neck, thumb brushing the dip in my collarbone. My whole body melts with one simple touch.

“Hey, baby girl,” he murmurs softly in my ear.

That small, stubborn, scared knot in my heart loosens.

As we settle at the table, Hunter leans slightly toward Adam and Vinnie, talking quietly about work. I catch only snippets. It’s clearly important enough to break our “no shop talk” rule we have when we’re out together.

“. . . talked to Bill Daley.”

“. . . Logan . . . possible leads on the drug crew . . .”

My stomach tightens as worry pulses in my stomach. I watch Hunter calmly. It’s hard to forget, even here when he’s smiling and teasing, he’s still the man who steps into danger for a living.

“Earth to Sutton,” Greer whispers, nudging my hand. “You’re spacing out.”

I force a smile. “Just thinking.”

Grace leans in. “How’s the remodel at Hunter’s house going?”

“We’ve only got a few minor projects left that have taken longer than expected. Should be wrapped by Thanksgiving,” I say. “Well, except the backyard. Hunter says, and I quote, ‘Leave it to me.’”

“Someone’s got a surprise up his sleeve,” Greer says.

“I hope he’s done with it by the time we have the open house. That’d be embarrassing for me to show off my first project and not have it complete, you know?”

We startle when our purses buzz like a swarm of bees. Greer snatches her phone from her purse, and we lean in to read her message.

Navy: I can’t make trivia tonight. Rowan’s not feeling good, so I’d feel like a horrible mother leaving him with a sitter.

Greer: Poor Row. You two need anything?

Navy: A bucket and mop and about 911 air fresheners.

“Let her know Adam and I will be headed home soon,” Grace says from where she’s leaning over Greer’s shoulder, looking at Greer’s phone. “We’ll bring some stuff over.”

“Wait, you guys are leaving?” Greer asks. “You just got here.”

Now that I take a good look at Grace, her complexion looks rather pale, like maybe she’s about to join Rowan in a battle for the winner of Pukefest.

“Grace, you okay?” I ask. “You don’t look like you feel well.”

“It’s nothing,” she replies. “Been feeling a little run-down.”

Greer messages Navy back.

Greer: Adam and Grace will be over soon. Love you.

There’s no reply from Navy.

“Okay,” Grace says. “We haven’t talked much lately, so tell me all the things, Sutton. Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”

Hands full would be the understatement of the year.