The words were polite and sincere, and all Garrett couldwonder was how it felt to have to hear them.To have to hear that the reasonshe’s respected is for what her father does.It infuriated him that those womentalked to her that way.
The way it pissed him off how people used to tell him andKeane they were useless, wastes of flesh.
But he couldn’t show that right now because de-escalatingthe situation was paramount.“We appreciate that, Deputy.”
The deputy gave him a tight smile.“Well, I appreciate thatwe don’t have to wake the sheriff up over a spat.”
“That wasn’t a spat,” Olivia argued, and she looked soperfectly bratty it hurt his cock.“That was nothing.They can’t even fight.She did that flailing hands thing.It was pathetic.I would think a countrygirl would know how to fight, but she just cried a lot and looked for men tosave her.”
The men had been too afraid to get in Olivia’s way.They hadstepped back and bet on who would win, and no one had bet against Olivia.
“We will take them all back to the ranch now,” Garrett said.“As long as no one is pressing charges.”
Lola huffed.“Her daddy would get her out anyway, and I’mnot a snitch.”
The deputy shook his head and sighed.“I’ll get her backhome.I’m pretty sure her friend already fled.Well, if the owners of The Barnare happy and I don’t have to do any paperwork, I’m going to call it a goodnight.Miss Olivia.”
He tipped his hat her way and moved back to his car.
The crowd dispersed, most of them going inside where themusic had already started up again and the party was moving on.
But for him it was time to get serious.
He turned and stared at Olivia.“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said quietly.
He seriously doubted that.“How would you like to get home?”
Miranda frowned.“Uhm, I thought I would have more time tosober up.Not that I’m drunk or anything, but my dads will kill me if I get aDUI.”
Gigi yawned.“I had three margaritas.I could fly home on myown.”
He moved to Miranda and put his hand out.“Keys.I’ll get usall back to the ranch.”
“Hey, Olivia.You okay?”
He turned and had to bite back a growl because there wasthat massive ass Jason.He stood there like he had some kind of right.
Olivia rolled her eyes.“I’m fine, no thanks to yourgirlfriend.You want to tell me why she thinks I’m trying to steal a man Ihaven’t talked to in years?”
“We’ve talked.We talked at Easter,” Jason pointed out.
“I said hello as we walked by at church.That is nottalking.That is being polite, and now I realize that was a horrible mistake.Ishouldn’t be polite to anyone.”
Jason seemed determined.He did this whole thing with hisface going soft and looming over her.Almost taking her hand and then lookingshy.It made Garrett a little sick.“Livie, Lola and I are not dating.We brokeup weeks ago.We broke up…well, we broke up because…”
Olivia held a hand up.“Do not say it.”
Gigi leaned into Miranda’s space.“I think he’s going to sayit.”
“I realized what a huge mistake I made back in high school.”Jason plowed on like he didn’t have five people looking at him with disgust.Heactually moved forward.
That was when Keane stepped between Olivia and that ass.Hedidn’t say anything.Just stood there.
“Olivia, I only want to talk to you,” Jason said, obviouslytrying to ignore the big dude standing in front of his prize.“Can I take youto the café and we could get a cup of coffee and a piece of pie?I remember howmuch you love the peach pie there.”
“I’m allergic to peaches,” Olivia said flatly.
