Hunter looked over at us. “Is he on your feet, Bella? You can make him move.”
I shook my head. “It’s okay, he’s not bothering me at all.”
Hunter’s eyes went from the dog, to me, then back to the dog. A slight frown formed between his brows before Ben pulled at his chin to make him look up at him.
Leaning in closer to Greer, I asked in a low voice, “Do you think he doesn’t like Jack being over here with me?”
She shook her head and whispered back, “I think he’s wondering why his dog feels the need to protect you.”
“Protect me?”
Greer motioned with her head to Jack. “He’s laying on your feet like he’s guarding you, Arabella.”
Looking down, I let out a disbelieving laugh. “He is not. He just happened to drop down where my feet were.”
Greer shrugged. “I’ve never seen him do that with anyone other than Hunter.”
“She’s back for good?” Mary asked, causing both Greer and me to look over at her.
“She is!” Willa said with a giant smile.
“Who are we talking about?” Greer asked before I could.
Willa looked at us. “Bree! She’s moving back to Boggy Creek. To stay!”
“What? She’s leaving Boston?” Greer said, and I found myself peeking at Hunter to catch his expression. He was focused on Ben, who was showing him something on the ceiling. They were both studying it very closely, and I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them.
“Yes! She told me at the hospital. Didn’t tell me why, just said she’s moving back.” Willa looked at Hunter and asked, “Did she call you, Hunter?”
He drew his gaze away from the ceiling. “Did who call me?”
“Brighton. She said she needed to move some things from Boston and was going to see if you and Kyle might be able to help, since you both have trucks.”
“Wait, what? Brighton is moving back to Boggy Creek? When?” Hunter asked as he lifted Ben off his shoulders.
A sharp pain ripped through my body and hit my heart with such force, I nearly lost my breath for a moment. I knew I had no right to be jealous of the past Brighton and Hunter shared, and even though Brighton had said it was nothing but a physical attraction, I still couldn’t help but notice how she’d been the first person he’d had any sort of relationship with since we’d broken up. Whether it had truly been all about sex or not, it still hurt. And I felt guilty for being upset about it. He had every right to see whomever he wanted. I was the one who had broken up with him. But goodness, there was nothing I could do about that feeling.
“As soon as possible. And with no explanation why, just said she was moving back and needed to get out of Boston as soon as she could,” Willa said.
Hunter frowned. “Is everything okay, do you think?”
I wanted to believe Hunter’s concern was platonic, but a small part of me let that ugly green monster out just a little. Brighton had made it clear she had zero interest in Hunter, and if she’d known I still had feelings for him, she would never have slept with him. The problem was, I had no idea what his feelings were for her. I’d been planning on trying to figure that out when we had lunch on Thursday.
Willa smiled. “She seems fine. She’s been spending a lot more time back in Boggy Creek, and honestly, I think she just misses home.”
Hunter nodded. “Yeah, I’ll give her a call. I work this weekend, but I’m sure Kyle and I can help her move.”
“Great! Thanks, Hunter,” Willa said as Ben bounded over to her and crawled up into her lap. It was hard to believe he would be three this fall.
My stomach twisted, and I had to swallow a few times to keep the sick feeling down. Greer must have sensed something was off because she reached over, took my hand, and gave it a light squeeze. I placed my hand over hers to show her I was fine.
Hunter looked directly at me. He smiled, but something was off. It had been since the moment he’d walked into the room.
Returning his smile, I looked over at Mary and Ciara. Once upon a time, I had dreamed of Mary holding a baby. Except it would have been mine, and Hunter would have been the father.
My body started to shake slightly, and I drew in a deep breath.
Greer quickly stood and pulled me up with her. “Well, Arabella and I need to get going.”
Mary looked up and flashed us both a wide grin. “Greer, sweetheart, I don’t think I congratulated you on your engagement to Hudson. When are you having the wedding?”
Greer grinned. “You did, at the hospital, but thank you again. We’re deciding between a summer or fall wedding.”
Mary let out a soft laugh. “Oh, that’s right. Lord, I’m losing my mind. Both times of year would be beautiful. Now you let me know if you need any help.”
Nodding, Greer replied, “I most certainly will.”
“You two girls be careful driving. Hunter, walk the girls out,” Mary stated.
“That’s okay, he doesn’t have to walk us out,” I quickly said.
“I don’t mind,” Hunter said as he walked up to me, this time offering a genuine smile. The daze he had in his eyes from earlier was gone.
Both Greer and I hugged and kissed everyone goodbye. Well, everyone except Hunter. We grabbed our coats and headed through the house to the front door.
“Did you need me to bring Bella back to the apiary?” Hunter asked Greer once we got outside.
She shook her head, reached up onto her toes, and kissed Hunter’s cheek. “Nope, it’s on the way home, but thanks for asking.”
Hunter opened the side door of Greer’s SUV and held my hand as I climbed in. “Still on for tomorrow, Bella?”
“Yes, of course.”
He smiled and winked, and I felt my lower stomach pull with a deep desire. There had been way too many nights where I’d slipped my fingers between my legs and dreamt of that smile of his. Those soft lips and gentle hands. I’d tried desperately not to forget how they felt against my body, but after so many years, the memories had slowly faded away…yet I held on to others.
“You better get back into the house before you freeze to death, Hunter,” I said, pulling the seat belt on and clicking it.
“Right. Drive safe, ladies,” Hunter said as he stepped away.
“Bye, Hunter!” Greer called out, and I lifted my hand and waved.
Hunter shut the door and then took a few steps back while Greer started the 4Runner and made her way down Willa and Aiden’s driveway. The view of the apple orchard was a beautiful sight to see. Miles and miles of trees all blanketed with snow. The way the sun shone on it, it looked like glitter was sprinkled over all the trees. Of course, the snow-capped mountains with the crystal-clear blue sky made the perfect backdrop.
“Okay, did you see the way Hunter looked at you when you were holding Ciara?” Greer asked, excitement in her voice. “He came to such an abrupt halt his mother ran right into him!”
I pulled my eyes from the landscape and looked at her. “He looked annoyed with me. Maybe he didn’t like that I was there.”
“Annoyed? Annoyed? Are you serious, Arabella Adams? That boy did not look annoyed. He looked like he was just as much in love with you now as he was ten years ago—and the sight of you holding a baby nearly dropped him to his knees.”