The two men broke apart, swearing at each other, and climbed to their feet, brushing dirt and mulch off their clothing. Austin tried to snatch the picture from Taylor, but she dodged him and handed it back to Grant, who quickly tucked it back in his wallet.
“Grant’s got a secret,” Austin crooned in a mocking voice.
“Austin, I think your diaper’s on too tight. You seem a little cranky today,” Taylor said sweetly.
“Oh, impressive. Back in pre-school, that really would have stung. Did you stand there and practice it in front of a mirror?” Austin growled. He turned and walked off.
Grant sighed, then focused his attention on Taylor. He turned on his dazzling smile and seductive gaze, like flipping a switch. “Austin doesn’t appreciate a beautiful woman. I, on the other hand—” Grant started, but Taylor cut him off.
“Don’t. It doesn’t work on me.”
“Because you only have eyes for my brother. Your loss. If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me.” Grant winked at her.
“Just out of curiosity, if I said yes, would you actually cheat with your brother’s intended mate?”
Grant looked at her with interest. “Why? You coming around?”
She snorted. “No, I’m just trying to figure out exactly how much of a douche you are.”
“Only one way to find out. I’ll rock your world, princess.”
“Gag me.”
“So that’s on the table too? Kinky. My brother’s a lucky man.”
Taylor shook her head. “I’m going to leave now, but please, don’t let that discourage you. I think there’s a lamppost down the street that you haven’t hit on yet.”
She turned to go.
Then she glanced back at him. “Oh, and Grant?”
“Yes?”
“The girl in the picture – she’s lovely.” She had been very lovely. Straight, shiny brown hair, a spray of freckles on her nose. She looked like a corn-fed country girl; she might not draw glances on the street, but her beauty shone from within. The complete opposite of the type of over-made-up, over-inflated woman that Grant always had hanging on his arm.
She saw a flash of immense sorrow in Grant’s eyes for a fraction of a second. Then his face smoothed out. For once he didn’t have a flirty comeback. He just turned and walked off without a word.
Who was the beautiful girl? Taylor wondered. Was she dead? Or had she dumped Grant? Seemed hard to fathom – everybody except Taylor seemed to melt into a puddle of lust when they met him.
With a sigh, she headed back towards Main Street, only to be stopped by a loud, angry voice coming from behind the hedge.
Jerrold.
“Did I ask your opinion?” Jerrold barked.
“No, Jerrold.” That was Leota’s voice. Meek. Frightened.
Taylor looked through the hedge. Jerrold was towering over a cringing Leota. Standing nearby, arms folded, impassive, was one of Jerrold’s men, Rusty.
“Do I ever ask your opinion?” Jerrold barked at her.
“No, Jerrold.”
“Damn straight! So don’t speak until you’re spoken to!” Jerrold cuffed the side of Leota’s head. She let out a whimper, but didn’t budge from where she stood.
That was it. Shewasgoing to punch a wolf today.
Taylor started to push her way through the hedge. Suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth and she was yanked backwards. She struggled and fell onto the grass.
