The Reason I Married Him

Hattie: Meet me at the farmhouse immediately after school lets out. Hayes is grabbing Mac and taking her to our house. It’s Aubree, she needs us.

Ryland: Wait . . . what? What’s going on?

Hattie: I haven’t been able to figure out much. She hasn’t said anything. But she came into The Almond Store and burst into tears. She’s up in the apartment, on the bed until I can have someone cover me at the store.

Ryland: Did something happen with Wyatt?

Hattie: That’s my guess. I texted Ethel and asked her if she heard anything. She said there was some awkwardness at The Cliffs, but she doesn’t know the whole story.

Ryland: If he fucking hurt her, he’s a dead man.

Hattie: How could he hurt her, though? They just got married.

Ryland: I don’t know, but he’ll find out quickly not to mess with the Rowleys.

Hattie: Okay, before you get all heated, let’s focus on Aubree first. We can’t have you chasing down Wyatt. Not when you have a job that keeps you from being violent and a four-year-old depending on you.

Ryland: Then I’ll have Hayes take care of it.

Hattie: Love that you think you can lean on him for that because he’d take care of it, but like I said, let’s figure out what’s going on first.

Ryland: I’ll book it out of here once school is out. Was she really crying?

Hattie: Uncontrollably. I’ve never seen her like this. It’s actually scaring me.

Ryland: Aubree doesn’t cry. Have you seen Wyatt?

Hattie: I looked out the window but didn’t see any trace of him. This was after I got Aubree settled upstairs, so he might have taken off.

Ryland: Should I text him?

Hattie: No. We need to hear from Aubree first.

Ryland: You’re right.

Hattie: Try to keep your cool. I’ll see you in a few.

Ryland: If he hurt her . . . he will never step foot in this town again.

Hattie: Agreed.