He winked and she smiled.
“Well, I guess I’m number six then, huh?” she whispered and her throat closed up for a moment as the urge to cry nearly overtook her.
Wyatt reached over and squeezed her clasped hands that were on her lap.
“It’s going to work out fine, Millie. You’re strong, you know how the business operates, and you’ve got all of us here to protect and support you. I’ve already been in touch with Detective Flynn. He’ll keep us posted on any changes.”
“I appreciate that, Wyatt. I was so scared. I think coming back home to Pearl was my only option.”
“We’ll stop by the ranch to see the women and then I’ll give you a ride over to your aunt’s place.”
“My aunt’s? I thought that she and Ron were on a cruise?”
“They are. Anna and Stacy fixed up the cottage for you last night.” He smiled. She shook her head.
“The same cottage that Stacy stayed in when she met your cousins?”
“Yep. They even stocked the refrigerator for you. Although I doubt you’ll have much alone time with those two. Stacy can’t wait for you to see Hope.”
Millie smiled. She hadn’t had a chance to leave New York and visit when Stacy’s baby was born.
“I can’t wait to see her.”
“She’s beautiful, Millie.” Millie could hear the sincerity in his voice. The Cantrells were very close and Millie was certain that Wyatt, Ben, and Charlie looked at Hope as if she was their own daughter. She was envious as the lonely feelings of inadequacy and isolation trickled inside of her. Those w
ere foolish thoughts because she knew she had Anna and Stacy. They were her family just like Aunt Marie.
“So when are you, Ben, Anna, and Charlie going to start a family?” Millie asked with a wink.
Wyatt sighed as if she had hit a sensitive subject. She was suddenly concerned.
“What’s wrong? Things are okay between you three and Anna, right?”
“Oh, yeah. Of course they are. We love her so much, Millie. It’s just that she’s still recovering from her injuries. She gets headaches still and sometimes gets a little dizzy.”
“Well, the doctors said that was normal and it could take a while. Especially since her concussion was pretty serious.”
“I know. She gets upset every now and then about it. I see how she watches Stacy with Hope, Eric, and Max. She wants to start a family as much as we do, but we need to wait just a little longer.”
“Well, there’s plenty of time to start a family. I’m sure she’ll be free and clear from those headaches in no time. So how is the crime around Pearl? Still maintaining the peace?” she teased, wanting to change the subject.
“You’d be surprised what types of things happen around town. Nothing serious, of course, but we do get a few stragglers from outside of Pearl that come in for the shops and to dine at Francine’s. Anna still insists on working some hours there. Jack and Mary Boslow love her and of course Francine up and opened another restaurant in Turbank. She’s mostly there.”
“Wow! Well, Anna is a great cook. I wouldn’t blame Jack and Mary for keeping her working steady.”
Just then, they approached the front gates to the Triple C Ranch. It was even more beautiful than she recalled.
“Oh, God, Wyatt, the ranch looks so amazing. It’s been so long since I’ve been back in Texas. I missed this so much.”
Wyatt smiled as he parked the truck. He pulled right alongside Anthony Lewis’s construction truck.
* * * *
Anna and Stacy nearly ran toward the truck as Wyatt pulled up with Millie.
“Excuse us, Anthony, our best friend is here,” Anna stated, and they took off for the truck. The moment Anna and Stacy saw Millie, the three women screamed then hugged one another as they danced in a circle.
“Oh, God, I’m so glad you’re here, Millie!” Stacy exclaimed and then Anna agreed.