Signed by Layla Nash

Author:Layla Nash
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ravenheart Publishing

CHAPTER 14

HANNAH

Wade dropped both of our bags in one room, saying something about no one daring to mess with his stuff so mine was safer by association, then cut through an alley to reach a seedy, smoky bar called ‘Moosehead Blues.’ I had no idea what that meant.

The bartender and several of the regulars called out friendly greetings to Wade, who grumbled back, but more than one set of eyebrows started climbing when they saw me following on his heels. Wade pointed at one of the tables in the corner, near the fireplace and the roaring fire, and shouted to the bartender over the jangling jukebox. “Matt, gimme two beers and a basket of wings to start.”

The older man waved his acknowledgement, and Wade dragged me over to the table where he pulled out my chair. I edged it closer to the fire and him, since it could have been the weather or those strange dudes freezing my blood. I waited until we had our beers to lean a little closer. “So who the hell are those guys?”

Wade made a face, rubbing at the stubble on his jaw. “Competitors. They play dirty, though. Been trying to buy up some of my land since my parents headed to Florida, and they don’t mind cutting fences and letting the cattle out. They’d do anything to hurt our family, and that includes telling you all kinds of lies about who we are.”

“He didn’t say much.” I gulped the cold beer, appreciating the frosty glass, and rested my shaking hands on the table. “Just gave me the willies. He smiled too much, but it never — never really reached his eyes. Like he was trying to trap me into something.”

A grumble started in Wade’s chest, almost a growl, and I blinked. I’d never heard a person make that much noise. I shook it off and tried to change the subject. “Thank you for the email. Really. I felt awful when I left, and I didn’t think you ever wanted to talk to me again. So I really appreciate you pretending to be my boyfriend until we can get to the ranch.”

His forehead creased as he frowned, nodding along as the bartender dropped a couple of baskets of hot wings on the table. Then Wade looked up at me, tapping the table near my hand. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I tried to apologize before you left, but Jen and Henry were always around and... Well, no excuses. I should have just done it.”

I smiled, some of the tension in my chest uncoiling. It felt resolved, put to rest. I sipped the beer, knowing I needed a lot more food in my stomach before I could get serious about drinking. “How are Lilah and Henry?”

“They’re good,” he said. The pensive look never left his face, as if he struggled to come up with an answer for anything. “Lilah is looking forward to your visit, and some silliness with Jen. That damn cat will be excited to see you.

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