“And it upsets your sister. You should think about what you’re doing, Honor. This isn’t a game.”

  “No, it’s not a game, Mom. It’s my life. It affects me. And I’d really appreciate it if you could see my side of things and not just Erin’s.”

  Before she said anything else she might regret, she went upstairs.

  She undressed, got into the shower and let her tears fall. She could handle a fight with her sister. It wasn’t the first time and wouldn’t be the last time it happened.

  But not having the understanding and compassion from her mother? That broke her heart.

  Why didn’t her family support her? Why couldn’t Erin talk to her?

  Why was this so hard?

  She finished showering and dried off, then put a cold washcloth on her face so she wouldn’t look blotchy or like she had just cried. The last thing she needed was for Erin to have a tactical advantage during a meeting. She was going to be strong about this, weather it out and at some point, Erin would get tired of freezing her out.

  Until then, she was going to go on dates with Owen.

  And her sister could just suck it.

  CHAPTER

  twenty-six

  IT WAS ALWAYS good to have a friend drop by, especially one who had insight into the goings-on of the family drama. Owen was lucky that Jason was a veterinarian who dealt with large and small animals. When Jason came by to vaccinate and deworm Owen’s cattle, he offered him a sandwich and a cold drink after. They sat outside on the patio.

  “Cattle are in good shape,” Jason said. “They’re all healthy and show no signs of infection or disease. You’re doing a great job with them.”

  “Thanks. How’s business?”

  “Busy. Adding the new vet has helped take some of the load off, though.”

  “How’s Erin feeling?”

  “She’s good. Thanks for asking.”

  “Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?”

  Jason laughed. “Man, I don’t care either way. You know how people say that, but they really want one or the other? I’m being honest when I say I don’t care. I just want Erin healthy and the baby, too. I’ll be ecstatic when that kid shows up, no matter what it is.”

  “Gender’s an old way of thinking anyway. The kid will tell you what they are.”

  Jason lifted his glass and clinked it against Owen’s. “Amen to that.”

  They finished eating and Jason walked over to check out the horses.

  “Has Erin talked to you about this thing between Honor and her?”

  He looked up at Owen. “I tried to talk to her about it twice and she shut me down cold. Cold and angry. I don’t know what all that is about, but she’s pissed about something.”

  “Maybe it’s about me and not Honor at all.”

  Jason considered it. “Maybe it is.”

  “Do you think I should try talking to her?”

  “In the state she’s in right now? I wouldn’t attempt it. You could lose a body part.”

  Owen smiled. “Good advice.”

  They finished with the horses and started walking back toward the house, Bettie staying between them because of course she always had to be in the middle of everything.

  “Give Erin some time to cool down and get used to the idea of you and Honor together. I get her surprise at you and Honor dating. After all, she was engaged to marry you at one point, and now you’re dating her sister. But I’ve tried to think of a hundred different reasons why she’s so pissed off—all without bringing pregnancy hormones into it. Frankly, I can’t figure it out. But there’s something bugging her and until she’s ready to talk about it, everyone just needs to give her some space.”

  Owen nodded. “You know her better than anyone, so you got it.”

  “Thanks. And thanks for lunch.”

  “Thanks for stopping by.”

  “Hey, you’re still getting billed for the vet services.”

  Owen laughed. “True that. But I appreciate the free advice anyway.”

  Jason grasped his shoulder. “That’s what friends are for, bro.”

  After Jason left, he thought about what his friend had said. He’d been thinking a lot about Honor—and about Erin—and what he could do to help that situation.

  But Jason was right. Getting in the middle of that argument would be the worst thing he could do. If Erin was angry with him, then eventually she’d let him know why. Having been in a relationship with Erin and grown up with her, he knew she could stew for only so long before she exploded.

  In the meantime, he had his own life to take care of, and a woman he was falling in love with. It was time for the two of them to start stepping out and having some fun.

  Everything else could stay on the sidelines.

  For now.

  CHAPTER

  twenty-seven

  HONOR HAD SURREPTITIOUSLY stared at her watch the entire day yesterday, counting down the hours until her date with Owen.

  Fortunately, they’d had a big wedding yesterday with two hundred fifty guests, which had kept her mind occupied. And she and Erin had both been so busy, neither of them had time to fuss at each other. The one thing both of them excelled at was putting the bride and groom above any personal differences. So no one in the wedding party was even aware there was animosity between them. They might be fighting with each other, but to the bride and groom? They were organized and in sync with the wedding party’s every need.

  A Bellini never let a client down.

  Now that that was over with, this morning she got up early, having gotten a list from Owen of what she’d need for the day. They were going out. In public. Where people could see them. She realized it was something she had done all the time with other guys she’d dated, but she had yet to do it with Owen. She wasn’t sure whether to be excited or terrified.

  They’d talked about where to go. Or, rather, he’d asked her if there was something in particular she wanted to do. She’d hesitated and hemmed and hawed until he’d told her he’d take care of it. Poor Owen. He probably thought she didn’t even want to do this, which so wasn’t true at all. It was more like her abject fear of running into her sister or her parents that made her utterly terrified about this date. She made a mental note to be fun today.

  Hence, her list, which included a swimsuit and towel and things that went along with what Owen had called “boating and beach things.” Okay, she was totally down for that since it was hot and sunny and perfect weather for a day at the lake.

  She’d asked Owen if she should pack some snacks or drinks, but he’d told her he had it covered. She packed a tote bag filled with all the things she’d need for the day, determined to have fun, if for no other reason than to spite Erin.

  Or maybe she wouldn’t think about her sister at all today, and just enjoy the day with Owen.

  Novel concept, Honor. A day out in public with your guy. Try having fun for a change instead of getting all up in your head like you’ve been doing.

  She glared at herself in the mirror. “Ignoring your sarcastic thoughts, self.”

  She put a navy flowered cover-up over the top of her swimsuit, slipped on her canvas tennis shoes, and tossed her sandals in the bag. She had sunscreen, a scrunchie for her hair, hairbrush, lip stuff, detangling spray, bug spray and about a thousand other things weighing her bag down, but it never hurt to be prepared, right?

  She was ready. She went downstairs and met her dad at the foot of the stairs.

  “Going out today?” he asked.

  “Yup. Out on the water.”

  “With Owen?”

  She tensed. “Yes.”

  He nodded. “Good day for it. Be careful, bambina. Ti amo.”

  She exhaled in relief, so happy not to have an argument this early in the day, especially with someone she loved. “Ti amo, Daddy.” She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek, then headed outside, got into her car and drove over to Owen’s house. He was already outside packing up his truck, while Bettie was out front lying in the shade under a tree. The dog came over as soon as Honor got out of the car.

  Honor got down to give the dog some love. “Bettie, it’s good to see you. You’re looking lovely today.”

  Bettie rolled over for some belly rubs, and Honor had to oblige. At least until Owen whistled. The dog hustled onto her feet and scrambled up into the back seat of the truck.

  Honor made her way over. “Is she coming with us?”

  “Actually, she has a play date today. With Murphy.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yup. She and Murphy are going to a daycare for dogs. With a spa.”

  Her brows lifted. “A spa.”

  “Yeah. First they’ll do some agility training and exercises, followed by swimming, then the whole spa treatment with the baths and massages and nail trimming.”

  “Huh. Maybe I’ll go with Bettie and Murph.”

  “Funny. And, no. You’re my date today, not Bettie’s.”

  “Damn. I was really enticed by the manicure.”

  He slipped his arm around her waist, making her fully aware of just how long it had been since they’d seen each other, since she’d felt his touch. “I have other enticing things in mind for you today.”

  “Care to tell me about them?”

  “Nope. It’s a surprise.”

  “I’ll try to contain myself.”

  “I do have to tell you that Brenna and Finn are coming with us.”

  “Really? That’ll be fun.”

  “I was hoping you’d think so. And Mae and her date are coming along, too. Don’t know him. Some new guy she’s dating.”

  Her lips curved. “She’s always dating a new guy. The more people, the more fun, right?”

  “That’s kind of what I thought.”

  She knew what he thought. That she’d be happier not to be alone, that she needed her sister—and a friend. He was right. Though she’d also have been perfectly happy to have some alone time with him. But their first date in public, with the support of family and friends? Even better. “Then why are we waiting? Let’s get this party started.”

  He finished packing up the truck and they headed out.

  They stopped at Barks and Recreation, an amazing indoor/outdoor facility that Honor wanted to spend some time exploring. Bettie’s tail wagged enthusiastically when they met up with Finn and his dog, Murphy. After a quick tour around the facility, which was totally amazing with its outdoor pool and agility course, along with all the indoor space for the dogs to run around, it looked like the pups were going to have a fantastic adventure. In fact, Bettie ran off without even looking back, which made Honor so happy.

  Bettie was living her best life, thanks to Owen.

  Finn said he’d meet them at the lake, since he had to swing back home to pick up Brenna.

  “Hungry?” Owen asked.

  “I could eat.”

  “I’m so glad you said that, because I didn’t have time for breakfast and I need some fuel.”

  “Then let’s stop somewhere and grab food.”

  They ended up at a small breakfast café outside of town. It was charming and filled with people, so they had to stand outside and wait for a table.

  “I like this,” he said, teasing the strap of her cover-up with his finger. “This color looks good on you. Then again, every color does.”

  “Thank you.” She inhaled deeply, desperately happy to be with him today. She’d missed everything about him, from the deep timbre of his voice to the slight slant of his smile. She’d missed his smell, which was always clean and along the lines of wintergreen or pine. Soap, she was sure. Whatever it was, it hit her hot buttons.

  They finally got seated and she perused the menu. It wasn’t an extensive menu, but the items that were on it looked delicious. She ended up selecting a bowl of oatmeal and fruit along with toast, not wanting to overfill her stomach since they were going out on a boat.

  Owen, on the other hand, ordered eggs, sausages, fruit and toast. When their server brought the food, she snatched one of his sausages. He merely smiled at her and ate his food.

  The man even shared his food without complaint. What more was there to love about him?

  How could she have let anyone come between them, even if that someone was her sister? She loved Erin, and they’d get through this, but there was going to be a reckoning at some point. Or at least a deep, emotional conversation. Then life would be back in order again.

  Honor craved balance, and at the moment, everything was out of whack. She didn’t like it.

  “You were either hungry or deep in thought all through breakfast,” Owen said, “because you hardly said a word.”

  They made their way out the door and toward the truck. “I’m sorry. It was probably a little bit of both.”

  “Something on your mind?”

  She took his hand. “I was thinking how much I had missed being with you, and how irritated I am—mostly at myself—that I let this separation go on for so long.”

  He stopped and turned to face her. “Hey, you had some things to work through. And maybe those things aren’t entirely . . . worked through yet. But we’ll figure it out together, okay?”

  “Okay.” She felt better already.

  He opened the car door and she slid onto the seat. Owen dipped his head inside. “For the record, I missed you, too.” He brushed his lips across hers, then closed her door.

  She sighed. Yes, she felt much better already.

  It was a beautiful day, and by the looks of it, everyone else had the same idea—head for the lake. But Owen found a place to park, and fortunately Brenna and Finn showed up just a few minutes later—with the family boat.

  “You brought the boat,” Honor said to Brenna.

  “Sure we did. Owen was going to rent a boat, but why would we do that when we already have one?”

  “That makes sense.” She knew he didn’t ask her about the family boat because he was trying to surprise her, which was sweet. And also because of the current family situation, which spiked her irritation level. She could use the boat if she wanted to, even if Owen was going to be on it. The boat was available to any of them who wanted to use it. And, today, she definitely planned to use the hell out of it and enjoy doing it. Maybe she’d take a lot of pics and post them to her social media so Erin could see them.

  When did she become so petty? It wasn’t in her nature at all. She had to admit, though, given her current state of pique with her sister, just the thought of anything that might irritate Erin gave her a small amount of pleasure.

  Petty. Definitely petty.

  “You’re smirking,” Brenna said as they carried bags to the boat. “What’s that about?”

  “I’m ashamed to admit what I was thinking.”

  “Oh, now you have to tell me.”

  “I was thinking I’d take some pictures of Owen on the family boat and post them on social media, knowing how pissed Erin would be about it.”

  Brenna laid the bags in the galley, then turned to her. “That’s so petty.”

  “I know.”

  Then her sister grinned. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”

  Honor laughed. “No, but I’ll take it. I love you back and I appreciate you standing by me.”

  “Hey, Erin’s wrong. I get that she has a right to be irritated with you for dating Owen behind her back, but I don’t understand why she’s freezing you out. She needs to woman up and talk to you about what’s bothering her about you and Owen being together. And until she does, I’m mad at her, too.”

  “Are you two still shit-talking your sister?” Finn asked as he laid fishing poles on the deck of the boat.

  “It’s our right as her sisters to talk behind her back,” Brenna said. “Wherever she is today, she’s likely doing the same thing.”

  “She’s probably doing some relaxing spa thing and not thinking about either of you.”

  Honor looked over at Brenna. “Knowing Erin, Finn is probably right about that.”

  “Then forget about her, and focus on your own fun.”

  Brenna shot Finn a frown. “I hate it when you’re right.”

  He grinned. “I know.”

  By the time they had everything stowed away, Mae and her date-of-the-day had arrived. This one was a tanned, blond, surfer-looking type with impressive shoulder and biceps muscles.

  “Wow,” Brenna whispered. “Where does she find all these gorgeous guys?”

  “I think she attracts them somehow. She’s some kind of hot-man magnet.”

  “And after one date she throws them away. Such a waste.”

  Honor shrugged. “You know what she went through with Isaac. Can you blame her for playing catch-and-release right now?”

  “No, you’re right. Having been burned once myself, I appreciate her game. And she’s extremely good at it.”

  “Hey, everyone,” Mae said as she came aboard. “This is Tanner. He’s studying for his PhD in agriculture. He and his family have a ranch about an hour south of the vineyard.”

  Everyone introduced themselves. “I thought I recognized you,” Finn said. “I’ve done some carpentry work at your family’s ranch.”

  “Right,” Tanner said. “I haven’t had a lot of time to help out with ranching duties since I started working on my PhD. Between teaching and studying, I’m pretty busy.”

  “Let’s get a beer. You can tell me about the program,” Finn said.

  Honor looked over at Mae as the guys wandered off. “Hot and smart? Where do you find these guys, Mae?”

  Mae shrugged. “I don’t know. Here and there. Tanner and I ran into each other at the farmer’s market last weekend. We got to talking and realized we had some things in common, like attending the same college, knowing a few of the same people, that kind of thing.”

  Brenna rolled her eyes. “You really are like a magnet.”