Once I’m done working for the day, I head to the B&B for a quick meal before the party. As soon as I walk in, Uncle John greets me with a suspicious grin. I nod, then go into the dining room where a handful of ranch hands are devouring Maize’s Swedish meatballs. Then I spot Kane.

For the first time in weeks, he doesn’t snarl at me. I give him a quick, “Hey.” Then make my way to the buffet.

“You all set for tonight?” Grayson asks when I sit at the table with them.

“Pretty much. Even put fresh sheets on my bed,” I say with a smirk.

“Why, thank you. As the birthday girl, I do plan to get nice and drunk, so a clean comfy bed will be nice,” Kaitlyn says as she walks up behind me.

I scoff. “You wish. Payton’s house isn’t far. Stay at his place.”

She shrugs as she loads her plate. “Fine, maybe I will.”

“I’m surprised you’re here and not pre-gaming with the girls,” Kane states when she sits across from me.

“I will be soon. Needed some food after work to soak up the booze first.”

I arch a brow.

How’d Kane know the girls were together? Does that mean Hadleigh’s been talking to Kane all week?

“Who’s all there?” I ask, then take a bite.

“Rowan, Kenzie, Elle, Zoey, Harper, and then Maize is supposed to come by after her shift. Oh, and Hadleigh. I told them I’d be home soon, so I gotta eat and bail,” she says.

“Sounds like everyone’s going to this thing, damn.” Diesel shakes his head. “All the grandparents are excited because they get to babysit tonight.”

“And Grandma Bishop will be goin’ from house to house to see them all,” Kaitlyn adds.

I quickly eat so I can triple-check that everything’s ready since half the ranch is coming. I never prepare for parties, but this one’s different.

“Alright, I’m headin’ out. See y’all soon,” I say, then put up my dirty plate. “Thanks again, bro. I appreciate you doing this for me.” Kaitlyn’s behind me, rushing out too.

I give her a side hug. “You owe me one now.”

She rolls her eyes with a huff. “No way. This is all because you owed me, remember? So don’t get cocky.”

Chuckling, we head down the porch stairs, but before we go our separate ways, I stop and grab her attention.

“Hey, have you talked to Hadleigh this week?”

She turns toward me with a knowing expression. “Just earlier today. Why?”

“Just curious how she was doin’ or if she said anything to you,” I tell her truthfully.

She crosses her arms. “You mean about your ultimatum? Yeah, I heard about that.”

Fuck.

“Who told you?”

“There are no secrets ’round here, Knox.”