Page 38 of Forbidden Ride
“You got it,” she says, flitting out the back door to the patio.
I stay by the sink and rinse a few dishes, trying to stay ahead of the game. My stomach still feels a little iffy about having the whole crew together. I can’t help remembering the altercation Chase and William had at the cabin.
I load a few plates into the dishwasher.
I understand why Chase was pissed at William. The Johnsons—mom-boss Maeve and her henchmen sons, Cletus and Buck—came after Lexi the week she and Chase first got together. William and his older brother Jeb were there too. There was a big showdown at Chase’s ranch, so obviously there was some bad blood between them.
But there was more to the story, and my brother wouldn’t listen to me, so I asked Lexi to smooth things over back in November, before Thanksgiving. Lexi’s the only person on the planet who can turn Chase into mush. She, being the perfect sister-in-law, sat her man down and explained that William was only at that showdown because Jeb begged for his help.
Jeb is the oldest and, like William, is more sensible than Cletus and Buck. William and Jeb, who’d long since cut ties with their family, drove out to Chase’s house that night because they were convinced their mother was going to hurt either herself or someone else. William has always been the peacemaker, and he was only there to stop anything from escalating. Thankfully, William and Jeb didn’t need to step in; the fight fizzled out before anyone got hurt.
Lexi reminded Chase that the whole mess was because the Johnsons were after her. And they also came after Emma. If both of them could forgive William, Chase should be able to.
“Hamburgers and hotdogs are on the grill.” William struts into the kitchen, and my heart takes off like a kite. Whatever worries I have vanish. His eyes sear into mine as his arms wrap around my waist. “I’ve missed you.” His voice is a low, seductive murmur. He brings his hands up to my face and clasps my cheeks. I lean up, dying for his kiss, and get my wish.
***
THREE JUICE-BOX SPILLS, five chocolate ice-cream stains, and an hour together at the table without a fight.
So far, so good. In fact, Chase and William have been talking it up for the last fifteen minutes, which is ten minutes longer than they did on New Year’s Eve.
“So, the character comes home after two years,” Chase explains, mostly to William, but everyone at the table is listening. “He has a leg injury—we’re not sure what kind yet, they’re still working kinks out of the script—but he’s not in good shape and having a hard time adjusting to civilian life.” Chase scratches his jaw. “I’ve never played anyone who’s been in the military before.”
“I can help with that,” William offers, pouring a little more wine for Emma. “When do you start?”
“There’s no start date yet. We’re still in the early stages.”
“Well, let me know. I can also hook you up with some of my buds who might be able to give you a different perspective.”
“Thanks.” Chase kicks back in his chair. “I appreciate that, I really do.”
“Any news on Flying Hearts Ranch?” Shane asks Ryder in a serious tone. Shane has a successful cattle business. Ryder’s the horse whisperer of the county and keeps up on all the gossip. There’s at least one problem horse at every ranch, so he gets around. Flying Hearts Ranch employs most of the town, so what happens there matters to everyone.
Ryder quirks a brow and grins. He tilts his head down, like what he’s about to say is a big secret. “It looks like the Parker family from Texas is taking it right out from under old Maeve Johnson. Everyone’s pretty pumped about not having to work with those inbreds Cletus and Butthead on a ranch owned by a filthy drug lord.”
I choke on my wine and grab a napkin.Shit, Ryder. Really?
His eyes fly to me, before he realizes what he just said and who he said it in front of. “Ah, man.” Ryder presses his palm to his forehead and turns to William. “I’m so sorry. Really.” He blows out a sigh, looking as mortified as he should be.
The silence is deafening as everyone turns to William. I find his hand under the table and give it a supportive squeeze.
“There is nothing to be sorry about, Ryder.” William doesn’t look the least bit upset, because my man is a class act. “I’m as happy as you are about the Parkers taking over. It’s been a long time coming, and the best thing that could happen to this town.”
Shane nods. “Blade Parker helped me with a few projects at my ranch. He’s a stand-up guy. I don’t know much about the rest of his family except that he has five brothers and they’re all billionaires. Do you know exactly what went down at Flying Hearts?”
“I stay as far away from my mother as I can. But as far as I can tell, she got greedy and started moving drugs through the ranch. Then the Parkers rolled into town and gave her a more than generous offer for Flying Hearts. She initially agreed to sell, shook on it, then upped the price.
“The Parkers didn’t take kindly to her going back on her word and hired a forensic accountant. They also had a man on the inside. One thing led to another, and the feds opened an investigation. She was selling over state lines. One of the biggest mistakes she could’ve made. The last thing I heard is that she, Buck, and Cletus are facing at least thirty years.”
“I’m sorry,” Lexi says.
“Thank you, but please don’t be. As far as I’m concerned, Jenny and her kids are my family.”
“Andwewill be too,” Brooke says. “On Christmas Day, by law we’ll all be family.”
“I’m taking William’s last name, but using a hyphen.” I rest my head on William’s shoulder. “I’ll be Jenny West-Johnson. Do you think that will be enough to finally end the feud once and for all?”
Chase nods. “I think so.”
“Iknowso,” Shane agrees.
“And as soon as you get pregnant, our families will be joined by blood forever.”
I laugh. “And the final word comes from Ryder.” The pussy whisperer himself. “I concur, sir.”
“We’d better get crackin’ then.” William winks at me and scoots out of his chair. “If you’ll excuse us, this picnic is lovely and all, but my bride and I need to get busy.”
***