Page 87 of Lethal Threat

“It is. I admit I didn’t know exactly what to expect coming to Utah in the winter.”

The brother to Cole’s right leans in, listening. “Good time of year for evenings by the fire.”

I glance at Cole who’s looking as irritated as I feel.

I say, “Cole’s got plenty of firewood for that. He spent all morning taking his frustrations out with an axe.”

Carter laughs. “I’ve spent a few days like that. Women do that to a man.”

“Lord, that’s the truth,” Cole mutters.

I stab a hunk of chicken that’s on the platter in my hand,secretly fantasizing about poking a pitchfork into Cole. “Guess I need to figure out something that I can do to take out my frustrations. Maybe one of you ladies can help me since you seem to know how to deal with the Strongs.”

Suddenly, Cole’s energy goes all porcupine. Bristling tension crackles all around him. He leans into me, puts his mouth right next to my ear. “Chill it.”

The shiver he elicits only pisses me off more.

I reach for the platter of rolls that’s being passed my way, ignoring him.

“Oh, I’m chill. Chill as a snowball down the collar. But you seem to be emitting nuclear energy over there?—”

“She’s just sore because I crushed her in a snowball fight.”

I gasp. “I had a handicap. I haven’t had a lifetime of making snowballs.”

Cole makes a pfft sound. “Pathetic excuse.”

Nolene Strong is watching Cole with intent when I glance up. She clears her throat. “Ahem, Cole Strong, I raised you better than that.”

The guys snicker. Only to fall instantly silent when their mother cuts her eyes to each of them.

Summer waves her fork in the air as she laughs. “Nolene, you might just have to withhold dessert from these boys.”

“I think you’re right, young lady. We’ll just kick all the men out when we're done with the main course.”

Martin Strong, seated at the head of the table, drops his head. “I knew I should have said no to having kids.”

Nolene swats her husband’s arm. “Every single one of you, trouble. And you were the trouble long before we had any kids. So, you can’t blame it all on them. If I had a pennyfor every time I hid dessert from you because you were in trouble, I’d be able to buy myself a nice new diamond ring.”

I grin.

Some of my anger lifts.

The women around the table burst into laughter.

Cole’s hand lands on my leg under the table. He narrows his eyes on me. “I won’t forget that I missed out on Larson’s famous seven layer chocolate cake because of you.”

“Good. Maybe you won’t be such a jerk anymore.”

* * *

Not only does Nolene kick the men out of the dining room after the main course, she makes them clean up everything after the ladies and kids enjoy cake and cookies.

Sophia, grabs my arm. “Come on. Want to do our nails? Nolene has a full salon downstairs. There’s plenty of guys to keep the kids and take care of cleaning up.”

I can see by the look in her eyes that saying no isn’t an option. “Sure, why not.”

We walk down the hallway toward the big living room on the front of the house. “Hang on. Let me grab another gal who’d love this.”