Among Wildflowers Read Online Free

expression softened. “I don’t really mean that. I just mean...what happened wasn’t normal, Macy. You really worried me—all of us. You know how people talk. I’m just trying to protect you.”
    “I appreciate that, but I don’t need protecting. I learned a lot while I was at Tall Oaks. I’m stronger… healthier.”
    Logan smiled before kissing her forehead. “I believe you.”
    Macy looked up at Logan, wishing so badly that his mother hadn’t been right about her. She wanted to be what Logan needed. She wanted to be that girl that he was proud of, and she used to be, but not anymore. Macy had dashed all that away, and now she felt like some mess he was just trying to sweep under the rug.
    “Macy, your hand looks empty and I’ve got just the cure—gin and tonic!” Lane’s sing-song voice broke through the noise of the crowd as he approached and shoved a glass into Macy’s hand. He bent down and whispered in her ar. “It’s just Sprite, alchy.”
    She smiled gratefully and took a sip, grabbing his arm to stop him.
    “Thanks for coming tonight.”
    He gave her a wink in response. “Of course. Hanging out with Logan and his stuck-up friends is never on the top of my list, but for you, anything.”
    Thank God for Lane.
    ***
    Standing on his porch, Ryland crossed his arms and gazed up at the stars. Only two years ago, his career had been booming—beyond successful. He had been in the middle of a world tour with his band, and his songs were played continuously on the radio. He had had everything he wanted. Then in the blink of an eye the rug had been pulled out from beneath him and he had mentally collapsed. He’d completely lost it—canceled his tour, stopped showing up to the studio, stopped writing music. He’d fallen apart. The only thing in this damned world that held him even halfway together was this ranch, and he wouldn’t let go of that for anything.
    Now he was awaiting the arrival of two pompous reporters from some celebrity trash magazine who were going to do just that to his name—trash it. They were going to come out here to his ranch, his home, and get their juicy story about what a has-been he was. He could just picture his face on the front cover of next month’s issue: RYLAND QUINN—WHAT WENT WRONG?
    He ran a hand through his hair, squeezing his eyes shut. What had gone wrong? He let out a humorless chuckle and kicked at a clod of dirt that was stuck to a porch step. Ryland had always thought of himself as a strong man, but oh, was he wrong about that. The past two years had proven to be the hardest of his life, and when faced with the ultimate heartache, he had crumpled like a piece of paper. Ryland knew this story with Celebrity News was either going to mend his career like Robbie said, or it was going to put an end to it once and for all—and he was perfectly fine with either outcome.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Jackie sat staring down at her cup of coffee. Macy mirrored her across the table, peering down into her own mug.
    “Tell me how things have been going, Macy.”
    “Everything’s been going really well. I’ve been doing my daily affirmations, I’ve been writing in my journal, I go to the gym four times a week, and it feels good to be home. I’ve just been trying to apply everything I learned at Tall Oaks to my everyday life.” Macy knew she was babbling, but she couldn’t help it. She felt so uncomfortable talking about herself, especially since she had been feeling so much more lost after being released from Tall Oaks than she had anticipated.
    “Alright, girl. Let’s be real. Really, how have you been?”
    Macy looked up at Jackie, sucking in a deep breath as she measured her words carefully. “Being home isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I kind of feel like maybe I got released too soon. Everything is stressing me out. It feels like I’m constantly fighting triggers to drink. Everywhere I go something happens that makes me want to do it. Sometimes...it feels like