She turned to check out the room while she waited for her drink. Reed and Elle were talking with friends; other people she’d noticed around the inn and property were gathered in small groups. Several of the vases they’d arranged decorated the room.
“Here you go, miss,” the bartender said.
“Thank you.” She lifted the glass for a sip just as a man sidled up beside her.
“Hello, there. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Jared.” A groomsman, if her vague recollection of Reed mentioning him was correct. His friendly demeanor drew a smile out of her.
“Hi. I’m Kennedy.”
“Friend of the bride or groom?”
“Groom.”
“Huh. Beer please,” he said to the bartender. “I’ll have to talk with Reed about not introducing us sooner.” He accepted his drink and lifted it in the air. “Cheers to getting to know you, Kennedy.” They clinked glasses. She didn’t want to be rude even though she had no intention of getting to know Jared any better.
“Hi, sweetheart, sorry I’m late.” Maverick appeared out of nowhere and wrapped his arm around her in a possessive hold. Kissed her cheek. Sent Jared a glare to end all glares. She almost laughed.
Instead she melted against him. “Hi. Maverick, this is Jared.”
“Hey,” Maverick said, always a gentleman with inn guests, but not offering his hand. “Thanks for keeping my girl company.”
His girl? His girl. What the heck did that mean?
“No problem,” Jared said good-naturedly. “You two have a good night.” He backed away before turning to join other guests.
She turned on the cowboy. “Your girl?” she inquired. How could she not? They hadn’t spoken about what this was, and if she wanted to go hang out with Jared, she could. Not that she wanted to. Not in the least.
He took her hand and led her to a quiet corner of the parlor. “For tonight. Am I wrong?”
The sincerity in his blue depths floored her. He didn’t usually give away much, but tonight he was.
“No, you’re not wrong.”
“You look incredible.” His gaze slid up and down her body like a caress. He’d seen the green wraparound dress before, but he made her feel like it was the first time.
“Thanks. You look very handsome.” He’d traded jeans for a pair of black slacks and a light blue button-down, loose around his neck. His hair was neatly combed, his jaw cleanly shaven. She took a sip of her wine to cool the flash of heat coursing through her body.
“I like to clean up occasionally.” He eyed her wine. “You good there?”
“Yes, thanks.” She wasn’t much of a drinker. One and done for her.
“Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
She watched him walk to the bar and order a drink. The bartender chatted him up like they knew each other, and she reminded herself they probably did. Mav knew everyone at the inn and on the ranch. He had a family here who extended beyond his parents, siblings, and niece.
He had a place where he belonged. Where friendship bloomed, even quietly.
Kennedy wasn’t sure where she belonged. In an ER, yes. But she didn’t currently have that, and the feeling of being untethered suddenly made everything inside her hollow. Tuesday’s meeting in Boston couldn’t get here quick enough. She needed an answer about her future.
She wanted a place to call home.
She slid into a nearby high-back chair with a window view of the pond and white-painted bridge, rose bushes adding a splash of pink and red. She had this. An in-person interview meant they were serious about her.
“How do you think he is?” a woman asked from behind the chair.
“I don’t know. How do we ever know? He won’t talk,” a man responded.
It sounded like Nova and Hunter. Were they talking about Maverick?
“He seems to really like Kennedy. That’s good, right?” Nova said. “Means he’s moved on.”
“I don’t know,” Hunter said.
“Which part?” Nova asked.
Kennedy got to her feet. It was definitely Nova and Hunter, and it was wrong to eavesdrop.
“The moving-on part. He won’t admit it, but he’s wrecked about tomorrow.”
Tomorrow? What was tomorrow?
“That’s understandable,” Nova said. “But after his trip, he better be ready to get on with his life. Otherwise, we need to do an intervention.”
“Hey,” Kennedy said when they hadn’t noticed her. She stepped around the chair. “Sorry, I was sitting here and overheard you talking.”
“Hi,” Nova said, her eyes wide. “We didn’t realize you were there.”
“I know. It’s my fault. Please forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. What we said isn’t really a secret.” Love mixed with worry in Nova’s tone.
“But maybe keep it to yourself,” Hunter said. “Mav can be a little prickly.”
“I totally understand.” She almost asked what tomorrow was, but bit her tongue, thinking if it was important for her to know, Maverick might bring it up later.
Hunter nodded. “I’m off to the bar. Care to join?” he asked both of them.
“Yes,” Nova said. “A fruity cocktail is exactly what I need to help with the lingering pain in the bottom of my foot.”
“I recommend some Tylenol,” Kennedy said lightly, “and I’m good here, thanks.”
Nova gave her a quick hug. “See you later.”
Kennedy watched them greet Maverick at the bar just as his eyes caught hers from across the room. She swiftly looked back out the window to process what she’d heard.
Maverick still had some healing to do, and she wasn’t sure where she fit in with that. Which meant the best thing for her to do would be to enjoy his company without allowing any more of her heart to get involved.
He came up behind her, his warm breath brushing the side of her neck with a goosebump-raising, featherlight touch. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said softly.
“It’s okay.” She gulped down the rest of her wine.
His brows pinched. “Everything all right?”
“Fine.”
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Mary Rose announced from beside her husband at the parlor’s entrance. The room quieted. “John and I would like to thank Elle and Reed and their families and friends for staying with us this week and trusting us with their special day. We’ve very much enjoyed getting to know you all.”