Chapter Four

Emily picked up her Whataburger and took a big bite, enjoying the tangy punch of her favorite sandwich. Her brothers were doing the same. She hoped their lunch invitation didn’t include a side of lecture to go with the meal, but she wasn’t holding out hope. The looks on their faces had been warning enough.

She watched her older brother, Levi, wipe his mouth and waited for the inevitable. Not that she wouldn’t try to stall first. “Have you heard from Mama and Daddy today?”

“Dad called at the butt-crack of dawn to get his usual Monday report on the garage but didn’t chat for too long ’cause Mama had itchy feet and wanted to be on time for their donkey ride.”

“It’s a mule ride,” Tim said between bites. “And they plan on going all the way to the bottom of the canyon.”

“I’d love to go to the Grand Canyon someday.”

Levi and Tim leveled her with identical looks of disapproval. “Seems you could go just about anywhere if the rumors I heard were true and you were kissing Rick in the middle of the town’s busiest honky-tonk. ’Cause Lord knows the man has enough money to take you to Paris, Disney World, or the Grand Canyon if he’s got a mind to!”

She sat back and glared at them. “I knew the two of you didn’t just want to see your favorite sister’s face. Y’all are about to give me your opinion and an unwarranted lecture.”

“I’m not,” Tim said. “If you want to get yourself tangled up with Rick and ruin your life, then be my guest.”

“Were you really swapping spit at the Broken Spoke with him on Saturday?” Levi whisper-shouted.

Feeling her face heat and her fingers tingle, she reminded herself that yelling at her brothers in the middle of a restaurant never ended well. No matter how much they deserved it. “The only reason I’m not losing my temper is because Mama gets real mad when I put the hurt on you.”

“You never put any kinda hurt on me,” Levi scoffed. “And the only reason you were saved from me puttin’ any kind of hurt on you was because I was taught better and would never raise my hand to a woman. Even though you hardly qualify as one since you’re a low-belly snake who did everything you could to torture me.”

She rolled her eyes. “Feel free to unburden yourself, Levi. There’s no need to carry around twenty-year-old resentments.”

“Not going to happen,” Tim said. “He’s kept a little notebook and has made sure to keep track of every single one of your transgressions. In fact, he’s still got it tucked away in a drawer, and I see him pull it out every once in a while and read through it. So, if I were you, I wouldn’t sass him, because he’s got more than enough evidence to put you away.”

“Doesn’t scare me.” She blew Levi a big kiss and then scooped up a bunch of fries. “How’s business at the garage?”

“Great,” Levi replied, “and don’t pretend like you give a rat’s ass.”

“I do and you know it.”

Tim leaned forward and moved the jalapeno ranch out of her reach. “Tell us what you’re thinking. Because I know it has to be good if you’re willing to cavort with the enemy.”

Not able to resist her baby brother’s big hazel eyes, she let out a sigh. “Ms. Celeste wants me to take care of the horses and small animals at the ranch. My boss is happier than Dolly Parton in a wig shop, because it’s a nice bit of business, and I can’t do anything to jeopardize it. Which means fighting with Rick isn’t an option. The last thing I need to do is to lose the Blakely Ranch business, on account that I’m the lowest person on the totem pole.”

“And kissing Rick is part of your plan?” Levi asked. “Because if it is, then I’m going to make damn sure you get a new one.”

“It isn’t, and I don’t plan on lettin’ it happen again.”

“Wish I knew that before I picked my side in the betting pool,” Tim grumbled before shoving the jalapeno ranch back.

“I don’t want to know why you thought getting in on the stupid bet was a good idea.”

“Easy money.” Tim picked up his soda. “You may have a poor memory, but I don’t, and the front row seat I had to all the spittin’ and fightin’ you two did is not easily forgotten.”

Levi wiped his hands and threw the napkin on the table. “You never let anything go, so why in the hell are you going to forgive and forget what Rick did before he left town?”

The weight of the past dropped down on her shoulders, and she let out a sigh. She’d never told her brothers or anyone else how close she and Rick had gotten or what exactly happened between them.

The memories of that bittersweet time in her life washed over her. She and Rick losing their innocence to one another wasn’t something she’d ever want to change. Even with what happened…after.

Her brothers expectant gazes jarred her back to the present. They, like most of the town, assumed her pain was because of the rumors her prom date had spread and not the heartbreak she’d experienced. Knowing it wasn’t the time for full disclosure, she went with her old standard reply. “He didn’t commit the original sin. All he did was break up with me before the big dance.”

“True, but he fanned the flames by not defending your character when that asshole, Deacon, started spouting lies,” Levi said.

Frustration and sadness swirled in her stomach because thinking about the last spring she and Rick spent together wasn’t what she wanted to do in the town’s busiest fast-food restaurant. She’d processed what had happened long ago and had no desire to dredge it up again, let alone tell her brothers straight what really happened.

She spread her fingers across the table and let out a sigh. “Can you focus on the fact I made it through all the years of schooling to become a vet? I’ve accomplished the thing I always dreamed of and have an amazing job.”

“And we’re proud of you, sis,” Tim said. “But—”

“Nope, we’re not lettin’ any of those in.” She picked up her burger wrapper and fisted it into a ball. “I’m not falling into Rick’s arms, so you both have nothing to worry about.”

“You can love who you want,” Tim said firmly. “But please, for the love of God, don’t let it be Rick.”

“Exactly. We’re looking out for you and only want you to be happy.” Levi pulled the pile of fries closer. “Just not with Rick.”

“Message received.”

“Hey there, Em,” a male voice called from across the small room.

Hearing her name, Em looked up and saw Nash walk in. “Hey there yourself.”

He grinned. “I’ll come say hi after I put my order in.”

She gave him a thumbs-up and then turned her gaze to her brothers, who were looking even more unsettled than they had about Rick. “What?”

“Word on the street is that Nash’s brother is getting into some less-than-legal shit,” Levi said. “I know he was a good friend to you, but keep your distance, because the people Owen is hanging with are dangerous. He’s always gravitated toward shady people and schemes, but this latest group of friends is likely the worst.”

A shiver ran down her back. “What kind of dangerous?”

“The kind that puts a bullet through your head first and asks questions later,” Tim said as he glanced over his shoulder.

Not liking the response, she hoped it was nothing more than the rumor mill working overtime getting the facts wrong. The last thing she wanted was to see her old friend get mixed up in something with his never-do-well brother. “Is this gossip or fact?”

“I don’t have photos to show you, but there’s enough evidence for me to believe it’s possible.”

“Well, I haven’t heard or seen anything.”

Levi shook his head and then leaned forward. “Your days are spent with animals, so you don’t know what goes on in the underbelly of this town.”

“Wasn’t aware this town has an underbelly.”

“Exactly,” Tim said.

She gave her brother a frown and knew they were right about her not keeping up with town gossip. Could she have missed something important? She saw Nash headed in their direction and waved her fingers between her brothers. “Don’t make a scene,” she hissed.

“Not planning on it, since we leave that shit up to you,” Levi said.

“What brings the Conner siblings together?” Nash asked as he came up to the table.

“The best burgers in town,” Emily answered. “And we had to get our fix of sibling love, so we could start our week off right.”

Nash tipped his head to Levi and Tim. “How goes it?”

“Pretty good,” Tim answered. “The high school team is having a good season, and so are the Cowboys, so we’ve got no complaints.”

“Agreed,” Nash said before turning to Emily. “Sorry we missed our dance the other night. Any chance you’ll be there next weekend?”

“Not sure.”

“Well, maybe we can grab lunch this week if you’ve got time.”

Feeling her brother’s boot knock against hers, she tried to keep her expression neutral. “Don’t know if that will be possible since I’m going to be out at the Blakely Ranch for most of the week.”

“You workin’ for them now?”

The derision in his voice was unmistakable, and she knew acknowledging it wouldn’t make the next couple of minutes any easier. “I’m still with the mobile vet service, and they’re just one of many accounts I’m responsible for.”

Levi nodded toward the counter. “Looks like your food is coming.”

“So it is.” Nash grabbed the bag of food from the girl and then tipped his hat at the table. “Good to see you guys, and Em, give a me a shout if you end up with some free time.”

“Okay,” she called out as he walked away.

“Glad to see you’re listening to our advice,” Levi said before shaking his head.

“I wasn’t going to tell him to go to hell, just ’cause you two shared some gossip.”

“Keep your distance,” Levi said firmly. “Because you’re the only annoying sister we’ve got.”

She gave her brothers a smile and then grabbed a couple of fries, hoping they’d said their piece. Because dredging up more history inside Whataburger was not her idea of a good time.

…

Rick parked next to Emily’s vet truck and prayed she was only halfway through her favorite jalapeno bacon burger so they’d have a couple of minutes together. He opened his truck door and jumped out, knowing the time had come to do something about the fire licking their boots and hoping she agreed.

He strode into the fast food joint, glanced around, and spotted Emily and her brothers at a corner table. Seemed the siblings were enjoying some family time. He lifted his hand in greeting when Emily glanced over and liked the smile playing at the corners of her pretty mouth.

“What brings you to town?” Em asked.

Rick shook hands with Levi and Tim before sliding into the empty space beside Em. “I had to run some errands and decided to grab lunch before heading back.” Feeling her elbow dig into his side, he glanced over. “Why you pokin’ me?”

“Don’t crowd me.”

“I’m not trying to, but you’re sitting in the middle and not giving me much room.”

“If you weren’t so damn big, it would be fine. And I’m not scootin’ over because then I won’t be able to reach the fries.”

“Considering your arms are as long as a monkey’s, that doesn’t seem possible.”

“Having a long reach is a blessing, not a curse, and if you plan on comparing me to any more animals, then please leave.”

“Good to see you two haven’t lost the ability to find something to fuss at,” Tim remarked. “I bet if you both were standing at the gates of Heaven, you’d be arguing over who got to go first.”

“I’m a damn gentleman and always let ladies go first,” Rick said as he put his arm over Em’s shoulder, enjoying her soft curves pressed against his side.

Giving him another poke, Em rolled her eyes. “You’re no gentleman.”

“The hell I’m not.” Hearing a phone buzz, he checked his and saw that it was blank. “Not me.”

“It’s me,” Emily said as she picked up hers.

He moved closer and read the text over her shoulder. “Is that Vern Butler texting you?”

“Way to be a creeper,” Levi said as he picked up his soda. “If you keep that up, you’ll likely end up with a missing body part.”

Rick gave him a shrug and then looked between the brothers, noticing there was no humor on their faces. In fact, they looked kind of pissed. He flipped through the memory file in his head and couldn’t come up with any recent transgressions. Unless they’d heard about the kiss he and Em shared at the boot scoot and decided it was going to be a problem.

“I’ve got to head out. It looks like poor Vern’s horse has got colic.”

Rick stood immediately and held out his hand. When she took it, he tugged her out of her seat. “If you need an extra set of hands, let me know.”

“Thanks for the offer, but it won’t be necessary.” She grabbed her shake and then blew kisses to her brothers. “See you Wednesday for supper.”

“Take care, sis,” Tim called out.

“You want me to stop by Vern’s on the way back to the ranch, just in case?” Rick asked as he ran his thumb over the soft skin of her hand. “I could keep you company, if nothing else.”

“No, I’m good.” Giving him a smile, she pulled her hand away slowly and then headed for the door.

Rick watched Em walk out of the restaurant and silently groaned as he watched her ass sway with each step. Not a better view in the world, as far as he was concerned.

“Have a seat,” Levi said quietly. “We need to have a little talk.”

Not liking the tone, he tore his eyes away from his girl and slid back into the seat. “What’s up?”

“Are you doing what I think you’re doing?” Tim asked. “Because if you are, we may have a problem.”

“We haven’t spent more than a couple of hours in one another’s company since I left for San Diego fourteen years ago. So what’s problematic or not has yet to be determined.”

“And what is it you want exactly?” Tim asked. “Because if it’s some bullshit, we’re not going to stand for it.”

“I’m interested in dating your sister and seeing if what I thought was possible at eighteen really is.”

“At eighteen, you made a big fucking mistake and believed some bullshit rumors. My sister paid the price for it, and I’m not standing around watching history repeat itself.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Are you really going to play dumb?” Tim asked. “Because if you are, then our issues just got a whole lot bigger.”

Looking between the men, he tried to unpack what the hell they were saying. Was it possible that Emily had shared their very private business with her brothers? Didn’t seem like something she’d do, since what they’d experienced together was theirs alone. “Are you talking about me not taking her to prom?”

Levi glanced over at his brother. “Is he being real?”

“Seems he is.”

Levi pushed himself out of his seat and picked up the tray with all their trash. “You best do your homework before you think of so much as looking in our sister’s direction.”

Tim got out of his seat and tipped his chin. “You should’ve had the guts to stand up for her.”

Rick watched both men walk away and ran his hand over his jaw, wondering what the hell he’d missed. Clearly, it had been something major since Holly had alluded to it on Saturday, and the Conner brothers had just given him the what for. Pulling out his phone, he texted his cousin and prayed she’d give him the full story before too long.

The sooner he knew what it was, the sooner he could fix it.

A thing he wanted very much.