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“Well, mate.” Tad clapped his hand on Wade’s shoulder. “Better luck next time.”
Wade tore away from Tad, his eyes shooting fire at the man he despised. “You’d do well not to touch me.”
Tad smiled, something wicked flickering behind his eyes. “Now that you know, you best be heading home. She doesn’t need to look out her window and see you moping out here like a lost puppy.”
Something about Tad’s flippant tone set Wade’s whole body on edge. His muscles spasmed from holding back from what he itched to do, which was wring the guy’s neck.
He couldn’t figure out what it was, but something was off about this whole interaction. Wade just couldn’t prove it. Tad had said something… done something… threatened her…
The temperature in his body rose several degrees. “I don’t know what you did—”
“Me? This was all Brielle. We went on our date, and I had to listen to her worry and fret about the distance that has come between you. How she worries you’re tooviolent.” Tad smirked. “I know first-hand what she’s talking about, too. So, of course, I gave her my opinion on the matter. You should really work on that temper of yours. Have you ever considered taking anger management classes?” Tad chuckled, turning his back as he strode toward his Jeep.
Wade looked around wildly, his eyes landing on the rake. His hand wrapped around the wooden handle and he took two long strides toward Tad.
The man turned, then flinched when Wade lifted the rake.
Brielle’s face appeared in his thoughts, her words immediately offering clarity. Wade grabbed the rake handle with both hands and slammed it down on his knee. Wood cracked and splintered, filling the air with its whip-like sound.
Tad jumped back, eyes wide and nervous. His breathing was accelerated, and the pallor of his skin made it clear that he wasn’t sure whether or not he was going to survive this interaction.
“If you hurt her…” Wade said, struggling to gain control, “I will find you. Good luck hiding, because I know how to track an animal, and that’s all you are. You’re a filthy animal who doesn’t deserve to see the light of day.”
Wade tossed the shattered rake to the side, making a mental note to replace the tool the next time he went into town. For now, he needed to cool off before he did something he really regretted.
Tad had won, and he knew it. There was no winning Brielle back when she’d made this decision; Wade could feel it. This was final, and there was no going back.
For now, he needed a stiff drink. What better way to get over her than to drown his sorrows from the bottom of a whisky cup?
23
Brielle
“Don’t be mad,” Annabel called out.
Brielle glanced up to see Annabel coming toward her. Her first instinct was to get defensive. Wade probably went home and told everyone what had happened. Of course he did. He was so close to his family that they were bound to know every detail of his life. She forced a smile and swallowed hard. “What would I have to be mad about?” She turned toward the horse she was brushing down after the tour she’d given. Strangely enough, neither Tad nor Wade had shown up for work yet, and their shifts were supposed to start in fifteen minutes. They were always early.
Annabel made a face. “You’re going to be mad. I know it. Geez, I wish he hadn’t used his phone call on me.”
Brielle dropped the brush in her hand and spun to face Annabel. Her stomach bottomed out. “He didn’t. Annabel, please tell me he didn’t.”
She pulled her lower lip into her mouth and her nose scrunched up a little. “That depends on what you’re talking about.”
Brielle scooped up the brush and took a step toward Annabel. She pointed the brush at Wade’s sister and set a hard gaze on her. “Tell me Wade didn’t go do something stupid.” Her thoughts immediately went to Tad. If the man had goaded Wade on, then there was a good chance that Wade would be locked up for good. Thathadbeen the threat he’d made.
She prayed she was wrong, pleading for Wade to be safe.
Annabel held her hands behind her as she rocked back and forth. “Of course he did something stupid. It’s Wade. I came here to see if you could help.”
Hope dangling by a thread, Brielle muttered, “What did he do?”
“He’s in county.”
Brielle let out a huff of breath. “Great.”
“Yeah. But it’s not as bad as you think.”
She shot Annabel a dark look. “How is county lock-up not bad? Of course it’s bad. He’s in jail, Annabel. How can it get any worse than that?”
