Page 114 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
I nodded. “I will. Thanks for being here today.”
“Okay. See you soon.” He turned and slapped Michael on the back, then pushed him down the aisle after Sabrina. Without a word, they passed Hunter and left the room.
Gigi hugged me good-bye, then threaded her hand w
ith Jess’s. “Let’s go, Sheriff.”
When the door closed behind them, Hunter and I stayed in our places, separated by two rows of uncomfortable wooden chairs. After a few moments, the silence became too much and we both spoke at the same time.
“I need to go to work.”
“I’m sorry.”
I took a step toward the aisle and repeated, “I need to go to work.”
“Can we talk?”
I shook my head and started walking toward the door.
“Maisy?” he whispered when my hand hit the door handle.
I stopped but didn’t turn to look at him. “I need some time to think.”
“Please let me explain.”
My eyes teared as I stared at the wooden door. “Thank you for speaking for Coby today.” Before I started to cry, I tugged on the handle and opened the door.
“Maisy, please. Let me explain.”
“I should have listened to you, but Hunter, you had months before all this.” I pushed the door shut but kept my hand tightly wrapped on the handle. “Months to explain. Why did you wait so long?” A tear fell and I swiped it away with my free hand.
“I didn’t want to lose you. The second I told you who I was, you would have slammed the door in my face.”
“That’s not —”
“It is. You know it is.”
“Then you should have made me listen.”
“I fucked up,” he whispered. “I should have tried harder, and I’m sorry.”
I nodded. He should have tried harder. He should have pinned me to the bed, taped my mouth shut and forced an explanation on me. A courtroom was not the place for me and my family to learn he was related to Everett.
“I’m going to go.” I cracked the door again.
“Maisy, I love you.”
I loved him too. Despite my confused and frustrated head, my heart loved Hunter. Another tear fell and I knew more were about to follow. “I can’t do this here. Just . . . give me some time.”
“Okay.” He surprised me by not arguing. “Go to work. Lose yourself in a to-do list, but can I come over tonight? Please?”
I nodded and yanked the door open all the way, making my escape.
And then, just like Hunter had known, I went to the inn and lost myself in work.
Sitting on the landing of the staircase to the loft, my back was to the wall and my legs were stretched across the top step. A wineglass rested on my thigh and my head was tipped back so I could study the sky. Even after nine o’clock and well past Coby’s bedtime, it was still light this time of year. I rarely sat and appreciated the summer sunsets, usually too busy with motel chores, but tonight I had run out of steam so I’d retreated to the stairs.
“Hey.”
