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“Just . . . come see them instead of everyone always coming to you.”
“I’m doing the best—”
“I don’t want to upset you. Let it go.” He held up a fresh beer in a truce.
“Fine.” I clinked my glass with his bottle. There was a damn good reason I hadn’t been around much in the last few months. It had been wiser to stay away. They knew me too well.And I couldn’t bear to see their disappointment.
Mitch ambled over to our table, and I followed, dragging my feet.
Easton intercepted me. “Truck drive okay?” His eyes were warmer now, full of genuine concern.
“It’s practically new,” I sassed back.
“Nice hat.”
I’d forgotten all about his ball cap perched on my head. I fought the urge to rip it off and cover up his gorgeous dark mop. “I’ll return it and the truck tomorrow.”
“No rush.”
“Thanks for the cold drinks,” I said, as if it pained me. It kinda did.
“You’re welcome. I figured they’d come in handy for the drive. Before you give my truck back, check the glovebox. There’s something in there for you.”
“Whatever it is, I don’t want it,” I said callously. A flash of hurt crossed his face, and I looked away unable to stand it. “Excuse me.”
I tried not to run to the safety of the crowd, willing my steps to be measured and deliberate. I’d barely talked to my nieces since I’d arrived home, so I wedged between them. “Can we scoot the two chairs together and make a seat big enough for three?”
They made it work so we were sharing their chairs. Leona had been sort of quiet all night, more so than usual, but hell, being a seventeen-year-old was reason enough to sulk. It just wasn’t her typical nature.
“Can I come see you and Uncle Stone in New York? It’s so cool you’re moving there,” Gabby said. She had aspirations to follow in her uncle’s footsteps and dreamed of being an actress.
“You better come see me. I’ll be pissed if you don’t.”
“Could you watch your mouth around them, Mulaney?” Mitch scolded.
“I bet you’ve cursed in front of them more than I have today.”
“Children,” Mama said, ending that argument.
“Anyway. . .” I exaggerated, making a face at their dad that got me a few giggles. “Seeing you guys will give me something to look forward to.”
“Why are you going if you don’t want to move?” Leona asked, and I wondered how teenagers could sometimes be wise beyond their years.
“I made a commitment to Mr. Carter and his company. That means there are things I have to do I don’t always like or aren’t always easy, but when you make a promise, you have to keep it.”
“Great-granddaddy told you that, didn’t he?” Gabby asked, tilting her head, her eyes bright with the innocence of youth.
“Yeah, and if he hadn’t, Ruby would have.”
A hand gently touched my shoulder, and sparks blazed right to my core. I twisted my head to look behind me, although I already knew exactly who it was.
“Dance with me,” Easton said, his voice pure seduction as he gazed intently at me. Gabby scrambled out of her seat, but Easton kept his eyes locked on me.
“Sorry,” I said, not sorry at all. “My dance card is full tonight. All saved for my granddaddy.”
“What about me?” Daddy protested. We’d captured the interest of the whole table.
“I’ll save you one too.” I beamed at him, and he winked. Fortunately, he seemed to have dropped his frustration about my move to New York.
