Austin stood in front of the open fridge and surveyed its contents. Before Sonya, he’d survived on things he could cook quick in the toaster oven. Now he had so many choices, he didn’t know what to make for his snack while he waited for her to come home.
His phone rang. He hoped it was Sonya, letting him know she was on her way back. Caller ID had him answering his best friend’s call with, “I guess Sonya told you about the engagement.”
“What?” Surprise filled Noah’s voice. “How did you know Roxy and I got engaged today? We were calling to tell you guys.”
“You got engaged? Sonya and I got engaged today, too. Oh my God, what are the odds?”
“Well, I guess congrats to you two, too,” Roxy said. Noah must have had the phone on speaker. “Get her on the line so we can all celebrate this monumental day. Two wild roses tamed.”
Austin’s heart stuttered. “Isn’t she with you guys?”
“No.” Noah’s voice held not even half the concern filling Austin’s spinning mind.
“Roxy, did you call her about half an hour ago? Something about the Wild Rose computers going down?”
“No. Are you sure she said it was me and not Big Mama?”
“Hard to get those two names mixed up.” He tried to think through the fear. Why the hell would she lie to him? They’d promised to be partners in everything today.
“Austin, what are you thinking?” Roxy asked.
“If she lied, it had to be for a good reason.”
“To protect you,” Roxy guessed. “Why? What’s been going on with you two?”
“We saw my father tonight. I told him I’m taking control of the land and mine.”
“I’m sure he didn’t take that well.” Noah made the understatement of the year.
“Do you think your father called her and is using her to get you to back off?”
“I’m sure as hell going to find out. I’ll call you later.” He hung up on his friends. Because of the nagging sensation of danger humming inside him, he grabbed his truck keys and wallet off the counter, and headed out to his truck. He drove down the driveway and hit the speed dial on his phone and prayed Sonya picked up and all his worries were nothing more than an echo of how he felt the last time his father hurt her.