Love Inspired: August 2022 Box Set 1 of 2 by Rebecca Kertz

Author:Rebecca Kertz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

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During the weeks that followed, Yates put Bud Keno as far back in the recesses of his brain as he could hide them. His head was too full of other things.

Somehow Laurel had forgiven him and seemed to want him back in her life, at least as a friend—which had to be enough, all things considered.

Her kindness was a stunning concept to his over-guilty conscience. He refused, however, to question it. Laurel was letting him make amends in the only ways he knew how.

Of course, she didn’t know everything. That’s what haunted him, popping up like an evil jack-in-the-box when he least expected it.

As Bigs to the Stafford Littles, he and Laurel spent a considerable amount of time together. Granted, the kids were always present and served as strong reminders to keep the relationship on the friendship chart.

But he couldn’t resist the pleasure of an occasional friendly goodnight kiss after dropping the kids off for the day.

Falling in love was not in his future. Couldn’t be.

He’d reconciled himself to growing old alone.

Which put him in a confrontational mood this particular evening after a day in Laurel’s sweet company.

If friendship with Laurel was all he could allow, he intended to enjoy it without recriminations from his family.

Ambling down the ranch house hall, he stepped into the office.

Wade looked up from his laptop. “You look better.”

Yates gave a short laugh. “Than what? The roadkill that showed up here a while back?”

“Yep. That. I’m glad to see it.”

“Glad to feel it.” He patted his belly. “Being home is packing the pounds on me.”

“You’ve still got a ways to go.”

In more ways than one.

Taking hold of the wooden chair arms, he eased himself down. His cranky lower back whined. “We need to talk.”

Wade pushed the laptop aside. “Okay. Shoot.”

“Where’s Bowie?”

Wade’s eyebrows shot up. “That serious?”

“I hope not.”

Wade tapped out a message on his cell phone. “He went to the horse barn to check on that mare in foal.”

Yates could have done that. He still wasn’t much help on the ranch, but the horses had always been his domain.

Wade propped both elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers together. “Want to tell me what this is about?”

“I’ll wait for Bowie.” He’d barely finished the sentence when his cousin loped inside, breathless.

“What’s up? Trouble?”

Wade waved a hand at Yates. “Ask him.”

Yates’s pulse thrummed against his collarbone. His chest felt tight.

“No trouble unless the two of you make it.”

Bowie and Wade exchanged glances. “Okaaay.”

Gripping the chair arms in a strangle hold, Yates blew out an anxious breath.

“I’m seeing Laurel Maxwell. Strictly the Big Brother and Sister program, but we’re spending time together, and I don’t want any backlash about it. Especially to her. My life. My decision.”

Silence filled the room while his declaration sank in.

Finally, Wade said, “That’s not smart, brother.”

“Why not? Because of some stupid conflict between you and Bud Keno?”

“Between all of us and the Kenos.”

“Which you continue to perpetuate.” He’d been gone eight years. This wasn’t his fight anymore.

Wade’s jaw flexed, his eyes hard.

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