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“I saw her trying to figure out how to get the music running on my iPad at the stables. I let her go for a while, then stepped in and gave her a lesson. She’s one of the hardest workers I know, but a total innocent, who has no everyday smarts. It’s like she’s lived in a bubble.”
Joe knew what his brother meant. He’d seen her with the washing machine. Her grandfather had kept her prisoner, was the best Joe could come up with. She’d had all the trappings and no freedom. The thought made him want to get on a plane and go find the bastard.
“How’s she working out in the stables?” Fin said.
“Really good. The horses love her, and she’s a fast learner.”
“And Buzz loves her,” Joe added, still searching the crowds. “He’s real picky about his women.”
“Where is he?”
“I took him home. He needs a solid eight hours or he gets cranky.”
“Hey, Joe.”
“Hi, Angie. You having a good time?”
“I really am.”
Her smile was genuine, much to his relief. It seemed she’d moved on and there were no hard feelings between them.
“A group of us are going down to the boardwalk. Do you want to come?”
“No, but thanks for the invite. You have a good time.”
She lifted a hand and was soon swallowed up by the crowds.
“That was awkward,” Fin said. Claudia had disappeared, so he could focus again.
“No it wasn’t. We never had anything to make it awkward between us. Things are amicable.”
“Amicable, my ass,” Jack scoffed. “No woman likes being dumped, even if you ‘never had anything.’”
“True that.” Fin raised his glass.
“Speaking of Joe’s woman, will you look at Bailey,” Jack said.
Joe’s head turned so quick at Jack’s words, his neck made a cracking sound. She was standing in a group of people behind him. Maggs and Pip were there, but it was Bailey he saw. She wore a short pink skirt with a flirty hem that he knew would kick up when she moved, and black wedges that showed off her sexy legs. Her top was white and off-the-shoulder, and hugged some serious curves. She was laughing, head thrown back. A real laugh, not the tight smiles he’d been the recipient of. Her hair was still loose, and she looked seriously hot.
“Your woman’s hot, Joe.”
“She’s not my woman,” he made himself say, but the words came out gruff.
“Sure she’s not,” Jack drawled. “But just so you know, if she does become your woman, I’ll kill you if you hurt this one.”
Joe dragged his eyes from Bailey to rest them on his brother.
“She saved my life.” Jack shrugged. “Plus, she’s sweet, innocent, and lost. She’s also a really nice person I would hate to see hurt, because I think she may have suffered enough already in her lifetime.”
“Nice words, bud, and also true.” Fin raised his glass.
They both looked at Joe.
“I would never hurt Bailey.”
“I figured that, but what I can’t figure is why.” Jack spoke, his eyes thoughtful. “There’s something between you, a history that has this tension… I can’t put a name on it, but it’s there. Care to enlighten us?”
“No, but yes, there is history,” he added.
