Page 94 of Peaks and Promises

“Yeah, just don’t drip,” Reese cautioned him.

“I won’t.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Reese said, then turned and gestured for Nate to walk with him. He patted him on the back and started asking him for more details about his day.

I waved goodbye to Marlene and followed with my heart in my throat.

Nate was settling into life with the Haven family so easily. On the one hand, it was great. I didn’t have to worry about convincing him to play along. But what was going to happen when it was over? Would they be in our lives for a season, only to retreat when Reese was gone?

I didn’t know.

One thing I did know. Reese and I needed to do a better job of acting like a couple in public. With the way rumors spread, it wouldn’t take long before more than his aunt Louise were questioning whether I was really his wife.

It wasn’t that I thought word would somehow reach Mayhem if we didn’t play the part convincingly. But the last thing we needed was more gossip swirling around us.

I’d just have to figure out how to get Reese to stop turning into a brick wall whenever I was less than a foot from him.

CHAPTER 21

Reese

Daylight faded as the sun set behind the mountain peaks. I stepped outside into the small, fenced-in backyard and slipped my phone from my pocket. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of what looked like a cherry tree, and a startled flock of quail took to the air, disappearing over the fence.

I brought up Gunnar’s number and hit send.

“Yeah,” he answered.

“Just checking in. Client’s belongings arrived, so thanks for that.”

“No problem.”

“Any issues on your end?”

“Got a request for you from a previous client. I told them I didn’t know when you’d be available.”

“Not sure at this point.”

“Does your client have the budget for this? Especially if it drags on?”

It wasn’t the first time we’d taken on a client who needed help but couldn’t pay. I still hesitated before answering. “No.”

“I see.”

“I can cover the expenses. It’s not an issue.”

“I’m sure you can. Money tends to pile up when you never spend it, you cheap-ass.”

I chuckled. “I’m not cheap. I just don’t need much.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen your house.”

“Any rumblings from your contacts about Mayhem?”

“Not so far. Getting her out was the right call. Now she’s just a random member’s missing baby mama. The club won’t give a shit.”

“Probably not. Although her mom might.”

“True. She has contact with her mom?”