Bishop and I started to walk from the barn to the firepit, but stopped when we saw Arabella throwing the ball for Jack with Hunter standing next to her.
Sighing, Bishop said, “I know neither of us has any damn right to comment on those two, but I really wish they’d both get their heads out of their asses and tell each other how they feel.”
I laced my fingers with Bishop’s as we slowly walked toward them. Jack barked and jumped for the ball Arabella was holding. She looked up at Hunter as he spoke.
Still several yards away, Bishop suddenly stopped and faced me. “Abs, I know you know what happened to Arabella in college. I’ve never asked before, because I figured if Arabella wanted folks to know, she’d tell them. But whatever it was, she’s still not over it. Yes, she’s gotten out more in the last year and is socializing with most everyone again…but there’s something keeping her trapped in the past.
“If I learned anything from you coming back home, it’s that we can’t keep things locked down inside. And if you want something…if you love something…you have to fight for it. If you hadn’t shown up in Boggy Creek again, who knows how long the two of us would have kept denying our feelings. How long would we have kept pretending we weren’t still in love? You locked away in Boston, me in my head. I’m tired of seeing them both miserable. I want to do something to help.”
Nodding, I replied, “I do, too, but what can we do?”
Bishop looked at Hunter and Arabella, then back at me. He had an uncertain expression on his face. “If I had known what was troubling you, Abs, I would have moved heaven and earth to get you back.”
I felt my body sag. “Bishop, you’re asking me to break a vow I made to Arabella.”
He squeezed my hand. “Look at them, Abs.”
Turning, I watched as Arabella looked up at Hunter while he tossed the ball for Jack. It was now dark outside, but with the full moon bouncing off the snow, it cast a soft light over the entire area. The look on her face broke my heart in two.
I knew that longing on her face. That need to tell Hunter her true feelings, but still unable to overcome the fear of him turning away from her.
“The way she’s looking at him. That longing on her face…I’ve felt that,” I said.
“Abby, you don’t have to tell me. But I think Hunter needs to know.”
I nodded and was about to say something when they both turned and looked at us as if they knew we’d been staring at them.
Arabella met my gaze, waved, and started toward us.
Bishop let go of my hand, and I met Arabella on the other side of the firepit.
“I should be getting home now. Thank you so much for such a fun evening.”
Bishop and I had invited Arabella over so many times in the past to our little traditional tree cutting party, and I was so happy she’d finally decided to join us. I pulled Arabella into a hug and held her tight. “I’m so glad you came, Arabella. I love seeing you smiling and enjoying yourself.”
When she stepped back, I linked her arm with mine. We started walking toward her car. “You’ll be okay driving home?” I asked.
She nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
“Text me when you get there.”
“I can follow you home if you want, Bella,” Hunter offered with a genuine smile.
Arabella looked at Hunter and seemed to be debating her response.
I spoke before she could. “I think that’s a great idea, Hunter.”
“So do I,” Bishop added.
“Honestly, I don’t want you to go out of your way,” Arabella said as Jack came up and sat down at her feet. She reached down and stroked his back. It was clear to me Jack made her feel at ease. I smiled at the bond the two of them had already formed, simply from this one evening together. Jack hadn’t left Arabella’s side nearly the whole night.
“I’m not going out of my way,” Hunter said. “Please. I’ll feel better knowing you got home safely.”
Bella chucked. “It’s Boggy Creek, Hunter. It’s not like I’m in Boston.”
“Trust me, Bella. I’m a cop, and Boggy Creek has its fair share of crime.”
She chewed on her lip as Bishop and I exchanged a quick glance. When I looked back to Arabella, I saw her inner turmoil. I went to encourage her, but she spoke first.
“O-okay. If you don’t mind…I do think I’d like for you to follow me home.”
A wide grin moved across Hunter’s face. “I don’t mind at all.”
Arabella turned and faced Bishop. “Are you sure you don’t mind delivering a tree for the apiary shop, as well as one for my folks on Saturday? I know how busy you are this time of year.”