All Chapters of The Love Barn: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Scarlett WISHED SHE was coming home after two weeks away with more pep in her step or some kind of new self awareness. What she had was an action plan to starting up a very small, wedding planner side business and a keen awareness that she was not cut out for snow. Noemi's invitation to join her for the week had been kind. A godsend even, but Scarlett was glad the whole thing was over.The time had come for ice cream and sad movies at home alone. The trip hadn't cured her of her broken heart; it had merely distracted her while her misery continued to wait patiently for her return to reality.Benji and Garth had been kind enough to stock her kitchen with a few essentials, but there was a distinct lack of both wine and ice cream. She was willing to bet that move was intentional.While Scarlett wasn't ready to face the residents of Ransom yet, the need for consumable emotional support won over.How many people could regale her of Cole's every waking moment for the last two weeks o

Scarlett FROWNED AT Jessica's truck in the parking lot of the bed-and-breakfast as Ingrid whipped into the drive. It was three on a Saturday. Not exactly prime time at The Hole, but Jessica always worked Saturdays."Oh, good, Jess is here." Ingrid parked her car next to Jess' truck."Do we know if she brought drinks?" Kasima asked."Guys." Scarlett groaned.She'd known this was planned from the moment Ingrid and Kasima showed up at her house with coffee and informed Scarlett she was going shopping with them. It was far too conspicuous a ploy considering that Cole and Allie-Kate's wedding was tonight."Come on, we've got so much to do," Ingrid said."What's Olivia going to say when she comes back to all these changes?" Scarlett popped her seatbelt."Probably, thank you," Kasima replied."You guys aren't even trying to pretend this is about decorating anymore." Scarlett folded her arms over her chest and watched Luna Jones get out of Jessica's truck. Her bright, friendly

Cole'S LUNGS WERE going to burst from holding his breath. He'd had his apology planned out. The girls were going to scatter; he'd go to the house, beg her forgiveness with his grand speech then grovel until she accepted him back. Her showing up had thrown it all out of whack. He couldn't be certain he'd said everything he meant to or if he'd gone off track somewhere.Scarlett continued to stare at him, her eyes wide, full of so much emotion he could drown in them.She'd said she'd fallen for him, but he'd interpreted those words to their true meaning.She loved him.And he loved her.He could feel it. The chemistry had changed. It wasn't something he felt when she was around. No, now he had that Scarlett tingle all the time, even when she was hundreds of miles away.Cole loved Scarlett.It was unexpected and sudden, but it was also right.But just because he'd accepted that as truth and chosen to leap into this didn't mean she would, too. He'd abused her trust and hurt

Volume 2: Summer of LoveBENJI LIVELY POWERED OFF his phone, ignoring his brother's phone call, and kept his eyes on the road. The work day was over. There wasn't anything else to be done. It was time to let off a little steam and talking to Garth wasn't going to help. Hell, half Benji's problems lately were courtesy of his brother.What was it with Garth lately? Everything Benji did rubbed him the wrong way. Nothing was good enough. Benji didn't do anything right. The list went on.He needed to find his buddies, get a drink and forget about his family for a few hours.The Fort Worth Stockyards were a hopping place on any given Saturday. Tonight was no different. He found an out of the way spot to park on the street a block over from the strip of bars that drew in tourists and locals alike. Benji had a group of friends he hung out with fairly often who were plain old fun. Just what he needed.Who would have thought running a wedding venue would be tough work?It hadn't b

BENJI SUCKED DOWN SOME water. His buddies were already too far into their beers. He'd never catch up with them and he had another long day tomorrow. He watched as one of the guys tried to line up a shot at the pool table while a couple of attractive ladies looked on. He missed, and the girls laughed.Everyone was having fun.Benji wasn't quite feeling the vibe, but the lighter mood was just what he needed after his brother's sour mood. He'd have to grin and bear it tomorrow, something he wasn't looking forward to.His phone flashed a number he hadn't seen in a while.What was this about?He picked up the phone and moved toward the patio door before answering."Hey, man. What's up? Working tonight?" Benji plugged his right ear to hear better."Hey, dude." Ralph was a bartender that took shifts at a half dozen different bars up and down the street. "You wouldn't be at the stockyards tonight by any chance, would you?""Yeah. What's up?""I'm over here at the Cantina and