Love After All

She looked toward the barn, hearing the sounds of partying and people laughing.

She didn’t feel like partying anymore, but this night wasn’t about her or how she felt. She owed it to Des to be by her side, so she headed back to the barn to join her friends.

She was immediately surrounded by Megan and Sam, who grabbed her arm and hustled her off to a corner.

“What was that kiss all about?” Megan asked her.

“Oh, nothing.”

Samantha shot her a look. “Don’t nothing me. It was definitely something.”

She’d hoped they hadn’t noticed. “Okay, it was something, but it ended up being nothing because, as you can see, we’re not together. Nor will we ever be.”

“And why not?” Megan asked.

“You know why not.”

“Because of your list?”

“Yes.”

Sam took a deep breath and sighed. “Honey, that list—”

“Is important to me,” she interrupted. “Please don’t tell me it doesn’t matter. I’m tired and frustrated from spending years chasing after all the wrong guys. I want the right one.”

Megan smoothed her hand over Chelsea’s back. “And you’re sure Bash is the wrong guy for you?”

“Positive. There might be a lot of chemistry between us, but trust me—he’s all wrong for me.”

Samantha nodded. “Okay, then. We’ll double our efforts and find you the right man.”

She felt better knowing she had her friends on her side. They went back to their table, and Chelsea sipped on a glass of wine, determined to enjoy the rest of the night.

She even danced with Reid and with Jeff and with a few other guys while trying her best to avoid Bash, who obviously was doing the same, since he didn’t come near her the rest of the night. And maybe there was no electricity with these other men, but at least she didn’t feel like a wallflower, either. And if Bash’s kiss still burned hot on her lips, well, too bad. She knew the difference between chemistry and choice.

She was still young and attractive and desirable, and she was going to find the right man.

Just not tonight.

Chapter 15

After a long, sleepless night at the ranch, Chelsea was awakened way too early the next morning by Sam and Megan, who decided she just had to join them on their drive into town with Reid, who was going to look over the old mercantile building.

“No.” She pulled her pillow over her head.

“Oh, come on, Chelsea. It’ll be fun.”

Nothing about wandering around looking at a dusty old building in town sounded like fun to her. Especially not at whatever early o’clock in the morning it was.

“You have fun. I’m sleeping in.”

“You can’t sleep in. We neeeeed you.”

She opened one eye at Sam’s pleading tone, then rolled over, tossing the pillow aside. “You do not need me for this.”

“Sure we do. Besides, everyone is going. And Martha said she’s got breakfast on the table, so we’re all going to eat first.”

She smelled coffee downstairs. Martha made great coffee. She had also probably baked something, and Chelsea was a sucker for Martha’s blueberry muffins. In response to the thought, her stomach grumbled.

Besides, it wasn’t like Megan and Sam were going anywhere. They currently sat on the edge of the other bed, staring her down.

She threw the covers aside. “Fine. Give me a few minutes to get ready.”

Megan grinned. “Awesome.”

Sam and Megan left the room and Chelsea took a fast shower, dried her hair, and slipped into a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and her canvas shoes, then headed downstairs.

The kitchen was filled with people, some already seated at the table, some gathered around the island deep in conversation. The scent of food made her stomach growl even louder than it had upstairs.

“Good morning, Chelsea,” Martha said, coming over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

“Morning, Martha. I see you were here early.”

Martha grinned. “Of course. I had to make sure everyone had a decent breakfast. Megan was up early as well, so she helped bake a few things.”

Megan sipped from a cup and leaned into Martha. “It was fun baking with you. You know I’m always trying to figure out your muffin recipe.” Megan turned to Chelsea. “Unfortunately, she already had them in the oven before I made it into the kitchen.”

Martha laughed. “Secret recipe. Handed down from my grandmother. And your blueberry muffins at the bakery are outstanding, Megan.”

“Thank you, Martha. But nothing matches yours.”

Chelsea shook her head at the two bakers complimenting each other, then made a beeline for the coffee, grabbing one of the available cups. She leaned against the counter and took several sips, letting the caffeine infuse her system and wake her up like nothing else could. As she drank her first cup, she surveyed the activity in the kitchen.

Des and Logan sat at the table, practically glued to each other while they ate. Logan was absently brushing his hand up and down Des’s back. It was kind of nauseatingly sweet the way he touched her all the time, and the way Des leaned into him. Then again, Luke and Emma were the same way, always finding ways to hold hands or touch each other. So were Jane and Will.

And now that Molly and Carter were madly in love, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, either.

There really was nothing like a couple in love. As she surveyed the couples, she waited for that pang of envy to strike, but it never did.