There was only one word in my mind. Kill. I went for him, but Hamburger put his arms around my chest, holding on to me for dear life.

  “Stupid hick town,” Marks said. His face twisted as if he were in pain. He jerked open the door and ran to his rental car. Hamburger followed him, talking a mile a minute, probably about Hollywood and movies.

  Mary peered out the window, watching as Marks closed his door in Hamburger’s face and then tore out of the parking lot. “Poor man.”

  I unclenched my fists and took several deep breaths. “Why do you say that?”

  Mary beamed up at me. “Oh, I might have accidently mixed some laxatives into that cupcake. He won’t bother anyone for the rest of the night.”

  I snorted as I leaned over to catch my breath. “You’re a little devil, Mary, but I love it.” It was actually better than my intention to beat the crap out of him. “Thanks. Since he’s in for the night, your work for today is done.”

  She rubbed her hands together with a little too much glee. “Can’t wait for tomorrow.”

  For a millisecond I felt sorry for Marks. I headed home, curious to learn what Savannah would think of today’s events.

  13

  ~ Savannah ~

  “Oh my God, she didn’t?” I wiped tears of laughter from my eyes after Adam finished telling us what Mary had done. “I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see Hamburger playing his fiddle for Jackson.”

  Jackson couldn’t stand anyone who wasn’t rich and famous, and I could just imagine what he thought of a coverall-wearing moonshiner following him around like a lovesick puppy, playing his fiddle, or having to deal with Mary, with whatever color her hair was today, dressed in her outlandish clothes, and her body loaded down with jewelry.

  “Figured you’d say that,” Adam said with a smirk. I knew that look. He was pleased with himself. He picked up his phone from the coffee table, fiddled with it, and then handed it to me.

  Autumn and Connor leaned over my shoulder as I watched the video of Hamburger playing for Jackson. Jackson’s sour-lipped expression was priceless. Hamburger played a mean fiddle, and how could Jackson not see that, not see the talent in those aged fingers? I glanced at Adam to see an amused smile on his face that mirrored mine.

  We were at Connor and Autumn’s, and I don’t think the three of them could begin to appreciate what it meant to me to be with my friends. I was free to enjoy myself without Jackson looking over my shoulder, scowling because I was laughing or saying the wrong things. I wished Jenn were here. Then it would really be like old times.

  Autumn laughed. “Jackson doesn’t seem to be enjoying Hamburger’s talents.”

  “No, he wouldn’t.” And that was what was so great about Hamburger following Jackson around.

  “What’s the plan for tomorrow?” Connor asked.

  “More of the same.” Adam glanced at me. “Since Jackson’s in for the night, thanks to Mary, would y’all like to get out? Go somewhere for dinner?”

  “If it means I don’t have to cook, definitely,” Autumn said.

  “Do you feel like going out?” I asked Adam.

  “I’m good. The chicken soup healed me.” He winked, which I wished he wouldn’t do because it made my heart act silly.

  “Can we call Jenn, see if she and Dylan want to meet us?” I hadn’t been around Dylan much, but the little I’d seen of him, he seemed like a cool guy.

  “Great idea.” Autumn looked around. “Where’d I leave my phone?”

  Connor handed her his. “Use mine.”

  “They’re in,” she said after talking to Jenn. “I have to call her back when we decide where we’re going.”

  “How about the Brewery?” Connor said. “It’s casual, and the cheeseburgers are great.”

  I grinned. “So you haven’t gotten over your love of cheeseburgers?”

  “Never.” He widened his eyes as if shocked I’d even think such a thing.

  Autumn chuckled. “He’d have one every night for dinner if I let him.”

  “They also have a wild rice bowl that’s good,” Adam said, glancing over at me. “It’s got asparagus and mushrooms in it.”

  That was something I’d eat. “Sounds perfect.”

  An hour later we were sitting at a round pub table made from oak casks. The stools were cool, too, the seats cork and the seatbacks made from tin beer cans. I glanced around, taking in the decor. A long copper bar ran the length of the back wall, potted hanging spider plants were scattered around, and the floor was covered in peanut shells.

  “This place is awesome,” I said. “Is it new?”

  Adam, sitting next to me, nodded. “Been here a little over a year.”

  The waitress took our drink orders, all but Jenn and me ordering the beer flights, a sampling of locally brewed beers. When Jenn ordered water, the same as me, I narrowed my eyes. I was watching my calories, but Jenn enjoyed a beer or glass of wine as much as the rest of us. She returned my stare with a secretive smile.

  “You have something to tell us?” I asked.

  Dylan’s wide grin confirmed my suspicion.

  “What?” Autumn said, her gaze darting between me and Jenn.

  I picked out a peanut from the bucket in the middle of the table and tossed it at Jenn. “Name one reason a woman who would normally have a beer or glass of wine orders water?”

  Autumn’s mouth fell open. “You’re pregnant?” At Jenn’s nod, Autumn screamed as she jumped off her stool and raced around the table, smothering Jenn in a hug.

  “Think she’s excited?” Connor muttered, making us laugh.

  I slid off my seat and joined in the hug. It made me happy that I was here to rejoice with my friends in this awesome news. But it also made me sad, knowing I’d leave again as soon as I got Jackson out of my hair, and I wouldn’t be here when the baby was born. At least I’d be free to come for a visit since by then I would be deciding my life, not him.

  The waitress brought our drinks, and after she left, Adam raised one of his beers. “Congratulations to both of you. Seems like just yesterday we were all hanging out in my and Connor’s tree house, and now we’re talking babies. How did that happen?”

  Connor clicked his glass against Adam’s and Dylan’s. “If it’s a boy, we’ll build him a tree house. Maybe he’ll let us play in it.”

  All three guys gave a man grunt of approval for that idea.

  Later, after Connor had devoured two cheeseburgers and the rest of us had finished our meals, we sat around the table telling Dylan stories about the five of us growing up together. Most of the funniest ones were all on Autumn since she was both the troublemaker and the instigator of our exploits. We also talked a little about Natalie, Jenn’s twin, and how happy she would have been about being an aunt. Then we all got teary-eyed, even Dylan who’d never had a chance to meet her.

  “I heard Mary put a little present in the cupcake she gave Marks,” Dylan said, changing the subject, probably because he realized we were all on the verge of bawling.

  Adam laughed. “Remind me to never get on her bad side. Between Mary and Hamburger, he’s not a happy camper.” He pulled out his phone and brought up the video. “See for yourself.”

  “That’s priceless,” Jenn said with tears of laughter in her eyes.

  “Have I ever said how much I love this town?” Dylan grinned as he handed the phone back to Adam.

  “At least once a day,” Jenn said.

  He smiled at his wife. “Mostly because you’re here.”

  They were so sweet together. I was glad to get to spend time around them because it was obvious how much Dylan loved her. I glanced over at Connor in time to see him give Autumn a quick kiss. My best girlfriends—my only girlfriends—were the happiest I’d ever seen them, and I was glad for them. But I was envious, too, because I didn’t see myself ever having my own special someone.

  Adam reached under the table and squeezed my knee, and when our eyes met, I saw understanding in his. I quickly glanced away. Adam had always been able to read me, and I didn’t want him to see how lonely I felt, even here among my friends.

  “Is Marks still calling and texting you?” Adam asked.

  “Probably, but I blocked his number, so I don’t really know.” It hadn’t taken long to tire of hearing my phone ring or buzz with an incoming text every five minutes demanding to know where I was.

  “What’s the plan for tomorrow?” Jenn asked.

  Adam shrugged. “More of the same. Our town doing its best to drive him out of Dodge.”

  “I’m going to have to face him at some point.” As much as I wished to never see Jackson again, I couldn’t hide from him forever. Taking control of my life meant standing up to my bully, and I’d rather do it here where I had my friends at my back over New York where I’d be alone.

  “You don’t have to see him,” Autumn said.

  “She needs to do it for herself.” Adam smiled at me.

  I smiled back, warmth spreading through me that he understood. “I also need to find a good lawyer.” It was time to start the process of getting control of my bank account and evicting Jackson from my home.

  “You need one who specializes in this kind of thing,” Autumn said. “I have a friend who will know who to recommend.”

  Connor raised a brow. “Who’s that?”

  “Lucas.”

  “Thought so.”

  She punched him in the arm. “Thought you were over that.”

  “I am. Mostly.” He wrinkled his nose as if he’d smelled something stinky.

  Next to me, Adam chuckled. “You better play nice to him, brother. We’re about to build him the most expense log cabin we’ve ever done before.”

  What was that all about? “Who’s Lucas?”

  “Lucas Blanton,” Autumn said. “The—”

  “Senator?” She nodded. How did I not know one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive was a friend of Autumn’s? “I’ve met him.” The man was drop-dead gorgeous.

  This time Adam wrinkled his nose. “Is he a friend of yours, too?”

  I got why Connor had done that. He was jealous that Autumn was a friend of someone like Lucas. But what did Adam care if I knew the man? “No, not a friend. I’ve met him at some events a few times. He seems nice.” And he’d always had a stunning woman on his arm.

  “He’ll be here in the morning to look at the plans for his cabin,” Autumn said. “We’ll talk to him then.”

  Adam made a growling noise.

  “Sure.” Although I wasn’t sure I wanted Senator Blanton to know about my problems. And what was with the weird noises coming from Adam?

  14

  ~ Adam ~

  Connor and I were due to meet with Blanton this morning at ten to show him our preliminary plans for his log cabin. The house was going to be magnificent, and we both hoped that the senator would allow us to use photos of the finished result in our brochures. Autumn seemed to think he would.

  What I didn’t understand were the vibes under the surface between her and my brother whenever the man’s name came up. I hadn’t thought much about it, though, until Savannah had said she’d met the man a few times. I didn’t much like her knowing some dude who was on a damn list of sexiest men. Now I got where Connor was coming from, and I was seriously not happy about that.

  When my phone rang, Connor’s name appearing on the screen, I was sprawled out on my sofa, drinking coffee and watching the sunrise through my east-facing windows while Jinx tried to steal sips out of my cup. For my brother to be calling this early, something was happening.

  “Sup?” I said, answering while holding my coffee high above my head, trying to keep it out of reach of the little demon, now clawing his way up my arm.

  “Autumn called Blanton last night and arranged for her and Savannah to meet with him before our meeting.”

  I sat up. “What time and where?”

  “Nine, at our model home.”

  “See you there.” The brat was still clinging to my arm. “I can still take you to the shelter, you know.” Apparently he knew an empty threat when he heard it since he didn’t let go. I pried him off my T-shirt sleeve, finished the last of my coffee, and then carried the little monster upstairs with me, dropping him on my bed. He had this thing about darting around on and under the sheets like a deranged idiot. Leaving him to it, I showered, shaved, and dressed.

  After a quick breakfast I put Jinx in his playpen, then headed to our model home. Although I was early, I wanted to get everything ready for Blanton’s arrival. Connor and I planned to build two more model homes on the land we’d purchased last year. Interestingly enough, Blanton had wanted the property for a dinner theater, but Autumn had talked him into letting us have it. There was a story there, but both Connor and Autumn were tight-lipped on how she’d convinced the senator to let us buy the land.

  Autumn had done a fantastic job on the model home’s decor, what she called contemporary rustic and perfect for a mountain log home. The colors were warm deep reds and dark greens, with a few accents in gold, reminding me of fall in the mountains. Most of the accessories were from local artisan shops. Having Autumn on board with the interior designs for our model homes was proving to be a brilliant move on Connor’s part.

  By the time nine rolled around, I had a fire going in the massive stone fireplace, soft music playing, and a pot of coffee brewed. One of the bedrooms had been set up as a conference room, and the plans and artist renderings for the senator’s home were spread out on the table. I glanced around with a sense of pride for what Connor and I had accomplished. We’d only finished our first model home last week, and Blanton would be our first client here. Floor and countertop—granite, marble, quartz, and stained cement—samples were mounted on one wall of the conference room. On another were cabinet and hardware options, and on the third were exterior log choices. The fourth wall was tall windows that let in light and would offer great views when the log home was built on the owner’s property. Right now the view was our parking lot.

  One of the coolest ideas Autumn had come up with were the monitors at each place of the conference table. We would be able to bring up plans and renderings for our clients to see from their seats without everyone crowding around one computer the way we used to do it.

  Satisfied I had everything ready, I made a cup of coffee and went next door to check on my crew. We’d started on the second model home a month ago, and it was coming along on schedule. The foundation was in and the walls were up.

  The completed model home was five thousand square feet. The second one would be thirty-five hundred, and the third one two thousand, a good mix of sizes for our clients to get a feel of space. But we built whatever size they wanted.

  “Morning,” I said after walking inside.

  “Morning, boss,” my crew sang.

  “Any problems I should know about?” I asked Tim, my foreman.

  “Yeah, the electrician was supposed to start today, but he’s got the flu. Said he hopes to be back on his feet in a day or two.”

  “No much we can do about that.” A day or two wouldn’t kill us.

  “That’s not all. Someone walked off with the AC.”

  “Shit. That was delivered just yesterday.” I pulled him out of hearing range of the rest of the crew. “Think it was any of our boys?”

  “I hate to think so, but who else would have known that fast it was here? I had the delivery guys put it up against the wall on the back porch where it wasn’t easily seen.”

  “Or it could have been someone nosing around the property who saw it. I’ll file a report with the police and ask them to keep an eye on the property on their rounds. We don’t have a choice but to order another one. Security cameras and motion sensor lights around the property are scheduled to be installed in two weeks, but I’ll call and see if we can get that date moved up.”

  “Sounds good, boss.”

  At hearing the arrival of a car, I glanced out the window. Connor and the girls were here. “I have meetings this morning, but I’ll check back this afternoon. Call me if anything else comes up.”

  Tim turned his gaze from the window to me after Savannah got out of the car. “Is she the woman we’re protecting?”

  And that was my town for you. Everyone knew everything, and no one wanted to be left out of anything. “Yeah, that’s her.”

  “She’s real pretty.”

  Yes, she certainly was. “Yo, get to work, guys,” I said when I noticed my crew crowding around the opening where a window would go.

  “He’s sweet on her. Don’t want us looking at her,” I heard one of the men say as they scurried to do my bidding.

  No, I wasn’t sweet on her, not anymore, even if I didn’t like them looking at her. So if that was true, why had I kissed her? Good question, and one I didn’t have an answer to. “Morning,” I said, coming up next to Savannah as she followed Connor and Autumn up the porch steps.

  She darted a glance at me, giving me one of her shy smiles. “Hi.”

  “Coffee’s made if anyone wants a cup.”

  “Not for me,” she said, looking around the great room. “Wow, this place is awesome.”

  “Thanks. We’ll be glad to build you one.”

  A smile played at the edges of her mouth. “I’m sure you would be. I’d love a tour.”

  “You bet.” Another car pulled up. “Blanton’s here. He’ll probably want a tour, too.”

  “I can’t believe I’m going to air my dirty laundry to a senator. This is going to be humiliating,” Savannah said, edging over to stand on the other side of Autumn.

  “This is all on Marks. He’s the one who should be humiliated, not you.” My gaze roamed over her. She was looking better than she had the day I picked her up at the airport. The light was returning to her eyes, her cheeks seemed a bit fuller now that she was eating a little, and her complexion had a glow to it that had been missing. Whether she realized it or not, being home was good for her.

  With her knit cap, quilted jacket, jeans, and fur-lined boots, she was far from the glamorous woman I was used to seeing on magazine covers. Still beautiful in a hometown-girl kind of way, and closer to the Savannah I used to know. I liked her much better.

 

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