Free Our Now and Forever (Ardent Springs #2) by Terri Osburn Page B

had done nothing to earn a penny of it, they wouldn’t be so inviting.
    Dropping her head into her hands, Snow hated that the previous thought had even entered her mind. His parents had turned their noses up at her lack of money and substance, and she was doing the same thing to Caleb for the opposite reason. He was right—a person didn’t get to choose the circumstances into which he was born. Holding his trust fund against him was no better than all the prejudice she and her family had endured over the years.
    Granted, Caleb could walk away from the money, but why would he? It wasn’t as if the elder McGraw had made his fortune selling drugs or something. As far as Snow could tell, the man was a workaholic who put his business dealings above all else. Including his son.
    Her husband was a good man, a product of his upbringing, and so far out of her sphere that even if she wanted them to live happily ever after, they never could. The mere thought of going back to Baton Rouge made her want to run again. But she wasn’t running anymore.
    Snow had found a life here in Ardent Springs, and it did not include a husband. That meant Caleb had to go. She had to make him go. She’d cried for a week after leaving him a year and a half ago, and she would likely cry again when they ended for good. But cutting things off as quickly as possible would prevent her losing her heart completely. At this stage, she might recover. If Caleb kept giving speeches like the one he’d laid on her today, Snow was a goner for sure.
    Self-preservation could be a powerful motivator. And right now, Snow was desperate for any kind of lifeline.
    “Snow, are you in there?” yelled a voice through the back door, followed by three hard thumps.
    Lorelei.
    “I’m coming,” she yelled back, crossing the storeroom to unlock the door. “Why didn’t you come to the front?” Snow asked as Lorelei stepped inside.
    “I tried, but it was locked.”
    Snow checked the clock on her desk—12:02 p.m. Crap.
    “Sorry. I was distracted and lost track of time.”
    Lorelei followed Snow as she headed for the front door. “Does the distraction have anything to do with, say, your incredibly hunky husband?”
    “Lorelei, I—”
    “Not that I blame you for not getting any sleep last night. Holy heck.” The blonde made a purring noise. “Don’t get me wrong. Spencer is hot, and I don’t want anyone else, but girlfriend, that man of yours is smokin’.”
    Snow ignored the bubble of pride that formed in her chest. “Yes, Caleb is pretty to look at, but I got plenty of sleep last night.” Slept better than she had in months, but she ignored that fact as well. At this rate, she’d be the queen of denial in no time.
    “You mean you didn’t—” Lorelei stepped in front of Snow, putting her back to the front door before the lock could be turned. “Are you telling me you didn’t jump that man’s bones as soon as I locked this door for you? You’re welcome for that, by the way.”
    On a sigh, Snow said, “There are . . . issues.” She reached for the lock, but Lorelei blocked her again.
    “You mean he can’t . . .” Her friend held up one finger, bent at the knuckle.
    “No!” Snow exclaimed. “Caleb can get it up just fine, thank you very much. Now let me unlock this door.”
    Lorelei finally moved. “You know, if you’d gotten laid last night, you might not be so grumpy today.”
    With an evil glare, Snow said, “When you rolled into town in June, did you jump Spencer’s bones right away?”
    The sheepish look said it all. “That was different. Spencer and I weren’t married. And we had things to work out.”
    “Exactly,” Snow said. “Caleb and I have things to work out. And if everything goes to plan, he’ll be leaving town soon.”
    “You’re leaving town?”
    “Of course not. I said he’ll be leaving town. A- lone .”
    “Oh.” Lorelei grew serious. “You’re talking divorce. So this is more than some lovers’