Scotty McCreery’s “The Trouble with Girls” started playing, and Scott put his head in his hands.

“Perfect-ass song. I can’t take it. I’m going crazy. I have to know where she is! What is she doing? Who is she with? What if she meets someone and falls in love with him? She obviously doesn’t give a fuck about me or anyone else back home.”

Jeff shook his head and put his hand on Scott’s shoulder. “Scott, she’s not going to fall in love with someone else in a little over a month. She told Amanda three weeks, so she’ll probably be here any day.”

Scott started shaking his head. “No, I feel her slipping further and further away. I can’t explain it. I just feel it in my heart. I sure hate my brother and Chelsea right now.”

“You don’t mean that, Scott,” Jeff said as he glanced over toward me.

“I do mean it. It’s because of them that I lost the only girl I’ve ever loved…the only girl I’ll ever love. I hate them both.”

I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone. Ellie had sent me a text, asking how Scott was. She also wanted me to stop and pick up Alex’s birthday cake.

“Scott, let’s get you to my house, so you can sleep this off. Stay with Ellie and me for a few days. You can help me get the house ready for Alex’s first birthday party. How does that sound?”

Scott looked up at me, and the tears in his eyes about gutted me.

I don’t ever want to know how he is feeling right now. My heart was physically hurting for him.

He slowly smiled and nodded. “I can’t believe Little Bear is going to be one. You’re so blessed, Gunner.” Scott snapped his head and looked at Jeff. “Both of you. You’re so damn blessed. Jeff, how is Grace?”

Jeff smiled the biggest smile I’d ever seen. He’d been on cloud nine since Grace was born.

“She’s growing fast. I do believe she’s already got me wrapped around her little finger—just like her mama.”

Scott let out a small chuckle. “Yeah, I bet. Listen, I’m sorry y’all had to come down here and deal with me. I’m not sure how I’m gonna drive home or get my truck back to my house.”

Jeff started laughing. “Dude, I drove. We came here together, you stupid fuckwad.”

“Oh…well, okay. I’m not feeling so well. Maybe I should head home. Bryce is there though, and I don’t really want to see him.”

I stood up and threw some money onto the bar. “Come on, Scott, let’s get you out of here.”

After getting Scott into the truck, I turned to Jeff and shook my head.

“Jesus H. Christ. Gunner, I’m really worried about him. I’ve pretty much been running his breeding business the last few weeks. He also just bought a Thoroughbred, sight unseen, for a small fortune. I’m praying to God that the damn horse is fast and can get him his money back. If Jessie would just fucking check in with someone…I mean, this is destroying him. I’ve never in my life seen anyone just give up like this.”

I looked around the parking lot and then back at Jeff. A part of me was so pissed-off at Jessie for doing this. It was hard to be mad at her because of what she thought she’d seen, but the fact that she’d just up and left with no word to anyone in the last few weeks just wasn’t like her.

“Dude, why are you looking around the parking lot like you’re fixin’ to say something top secret? Do you know where Jessie is?”

“What? No. Shit, I would never do that to Scott. I’ve been thinking though. Do you think she could have met someone?”

Jeff looked down at the ground and kicked a rock before glancing back at me. “I’ve already thought about that. It’s just weird that she would tell Amanda she was only going to be gone for three weeks, and it’s been almost five weeks now. Christmas is in a few days. Is she really not going to come home for Christmas? Or even call her dad? I get that she’s trying to just avoid it all, but this is just insane. If she were my daughter, I’d be losing my goddamn mind.”

I glanced back at Scott in the truck. He was passed out cold.

Turning back to Jeff, I said, “I don’t know, Jeff. I know Jessie has been in love with Scott since high school, and the same goes for his feelings for her. He hurt her so bad in high school though, and I know it was a huge leap of faith for her to trust him not to hurt her again. And now, in her mind, he did. I can’t even begin to imagine how she felt when she walked into that bedroom. I think she panicked more than anything. The only thing she knew to do was run away—just like she had done after high school when she’d left for college and avoided Scott like he was the plague. The only thing we can wish for is that she comes to her damn senses and comes home. I just can’t see Jessie not even calling her dad on Christmas. All we need is for someone to tell her what really happened.”

“Yeah…let’s hope.” Jeff took a deep breath and let it out. “Anyway, Ari wants to know what she can do to help with the birthday party.”

I smiled and shook my head. “Nothing…just bring Luke and Grace and a big appetite ’cause I think Ellie ordered enough food for a small army.”

Jeff smiled and said, “Alright. I’ll talk to ya later.”

“Later, dude,” I said.

Jeff and I each got in our trucks. I glanced over and looked at Scott sleeping. I had a strange feeling that Jessie wouldn’t be coming home next week or letting anyone know where she was anytime soon.

I stood on the back porch and watched as Scott and Gunner made their way toward the barn. Gunner had insisted on building a barn by the house, and now, I was wishing he never had. If we hadn’t built that barn, Scott wouldn’t have fallen asleep in there that night, and Bryce would have found him.

“Ellie, you’re so deep in thought, sweetheart,” Grace said from behind me.

I placed my hand on my stomach and turned to smile at her. “I was just thinking that if we had never built that barn, then…” I shook my head. I couldn’t even finish my sentence.

I took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before slowly letting it out. Everyone would be here soon for Alex’s first birthday party, and I couldn’t help but think that it didn’t feel right, not having Jessie here.

Grace walked up and put her arm around me as she looked out toward Gunner and Scott. “I know, honey, but the barn is not to blame for what happened. Honestly, I’m so shocked Jessie has not gotten in touch with anyone. Drake is about to go crazy with worry. My heart hurts for him and for Scott.”