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While the rest of my team was catching up on sleep, I’d been using in-flight Wi-Fi, checking to see if there have been any new developments on Troy Mayfield’s missing bride.
If somehow—he’d figured out her location.
And depending on my location—I had an exit strategy to make sure I got to her first.
And that’s dangerous.
I shouldn’t be calculating how fast I could get to a woman who’s been the bane of my existence for the past week.
Which is why I haven’t been calling her—at all.
Just a text here and there to check in.
The possibility of seeing Pepper tonight wrecks my mind in ways I don’t know how to deal with. But I doubt I have to worry about it now since I’ll likely take the free room upstairs tonight and pick her up in the morning to head to the arena.
Pulling up to the Inn, I park my car in my usual spot—the one that Noah always battles me for. Since it’s wide open for me, I take it he’s late to our family meeting, which isn’t like him. He’s usually the one calling for them.
The back door is locked for some odd reason, so I go around the front.
The place is unusually filled to the brim with guests, buzzing with chatter and laughter.
What the hell?
It’s like a mini town carnival. I scan the room, picking up a similar crowd we have planned out for Jackson’s party and am almost relieved thinking Levi decided to kick off the party early.
But then I see a vibrant gold-lettered banner hanging on the back wall.
Happy Engagement
“There he is. The man of the hour. ‘Bout time you got here.” My oldest brother greets me at the door—cowboy hat on and everything. Wrapping an arm around me like I’m tonight’s special guest.
I clench my teeth, turning a hard glare at my brother. “What the hell is this?”
“Congratulations again, little bro. Go kiss your blushing bride-to-be.” He leans in. “And she’s been blushing a lot tonight, so you’d better help her out.”
My jaw hardens. I knew we needed to find a way to make this engagement public—but I was thinking more of an announcement in the local paper.
Not a goddam party.
“What the hell did you do?” I hiss.
Levi glances around us. “Making sure everyone knows you’re off the market, bro.” He slaps my back and practically growls in my ear. “And…her.”
With my jaw set, I weave through pats on the back and best wishes. My throat is tight when I see two throne-shaped wicker chairs set against the brick wall under the banner and boxes of wrapped presents.
No one stops me when I make my way to my fiancée as I get closer. She’s seated at the far end of the bar in an ivory skin hugging dress with sleeves just above the elbow. It’s conservative yet sexy. Her auburn hair cascades in vibrant waves around her face. And her smile as she watches the room seems like it’s been glued to her face for the better part of the evening.
I’m about to apologize but stop myself when she spots me and smirks cunningly.
“You knew about this,” I gauge.
“Since Tuesday night,” she admits.
“All week?” I grit then exhale a laugh when it catches attention. I move close to her ear. “And you didn’t think to warn me?”
She lifts a glass and sips on the tiny straw. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“Is that any way to treat the man who’s saving your life?”
