Page 135 of Lost Trust

He looks toward the pile of clothes. “Okay.”

I pull on my boots, give him one last look, and head for the door.

By the time I make it back to my cabin, the sky is just beginning to lighten. I unlock the door and tiptoe inside, pulling it closed behind me as quietly as possible.

I make it three steps.

“Good morning, baby girl.”

I freeze and slowly turn.

Mom is sitting at the kitchen island with a cup of coffee, grinning from ear to ear.

Her eyes drift slowly over me as she takes in the oversize sweatshirt and the shorts I’m struggling to keep up with one hand because they’re falling off my waist. The boots I was wearing when I left for the bar. Then back to my face.

“I’ll forgive you for not calling me last night,” she says, taking a leisurely sip of her coffee, “seeing as you look like you were a little preoccupied.”

I close my eyes. “I’m sorry, Mom. I lost track …”

Her grin gets even wider. “Oh, honey. You don’t have to tell me a thing.”

“That’s good because I’ve got nothing.”

I start toward the bedroom.

“Have a good morning, Marina.”

I stop. “Mom?”

“Hmm?”

“Does Ryder know I was out all night?”

“Nope. He went down at ten o’clock last night, and I haven’t heard a peep from him since.”

I exhale a relieved breath. “Thank God.”

She lifts her coffee. “You can just call me Mom.”

I walk away.

Behind me, I hear her quietly laughing.

By the time brunch is cleaned up, Ryder is practically vibrating with excitement.

Mom, Ryder, and I head over to the main house to wait for the transport trailer, and I find myself checking the driveway every few minutes, like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

Rowdy is coming home today.

After all the upheaval that’s happened in my life lately, the thought of seeing my partner again makes something inside me settle.

We’re standing near the front drive when the dually and tag-along trailer finally appears.

“There they come!” Ryder shouts.

The huge rig rolls up the drive just as Evelyn, Earl, and Albert are returning from church.

Everyone gathers as the driver parks and climbs down. I walk to the end of the trailer and wait while he gets the rear doors open.