He wore his usual jeans, work boots, and a Silver Creek ball cap pushed back on his head. But there was nothing casual about the way he strode in. His smile felt more slick than friendly.
“Morning,” he answered, his eyes drifting toward the swell of my chest before dragging them back to mine. “Heard you’re planning a barn dance here.”
“Trying to,” I said lightly, taking a step back. “Lots to figure out and get done.” I waved my tablet, hoping he’d take the hint.
Instead, he filled the space I tried to create between us. “You know if you need help with anything,” he said, his voice dropping a notch, “I’ve got a truck and a strong back.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I answered, retreating another step—right into the side of a tractor.
He leaned an arm against the hood, far too close for comfort. “You got someone takin’ you to the dance?”
I twisted my lips, trying to think of how to answer him. “Um, I think I’ll mostly be working that evening. It’s my job to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
His grin widened. “Pretty little thing like you has to have some fun, though. Am I right?” He reached out as if to brush my cheek, but I dodged him.
I crossed my arms, holding my tablet against my chest like a shield. “I’m sure I will. Now, if you’ll excuse me?—”
“Anna.”
Thank God for constant interruptions around here. Marcus shifted at the sound of the voice. I looked over his shoulder. Bristol was striding towards us, eyes narrowed and locked on the scene in front of her.
Great. Could this morning get any more complicated?
“Everything okay in here?” she asked.
Marcus took a step back. “Just being friendly.”
“Right,” she said dryly.
“I was just leaving,” he added, tossing me a smirk that made my stomach churn. “Good luck with your planning.”
He sauntered out, Bristol’s gaze tracking him until he disappeared. I breathed a little easier, at least until her attention swung back to me.
“You two seemed pretty close.”
“He came in while I was working.”
“Doesn’t change what it looked like.”
I lifted my chin. “If there’s something you want to ask me, Bristol, just say it. I know you’re not one to beat around the bush.”
It figured I’d make peace with one sister only to have a problem with the other.
She crossed her arms and gave me a hard stare. “I thought you were with my brother.”
“I am.”
“Chase doesn’t need a reason to doubt you.”
And neither do I.Her unsaid words hung in the air between us.
The words stung, even though I knew they came from a place of loyalty.
“I’m not playing around. I’d never do that to him.”
Her brow raised. “I want to believe you. But…”
I held up a hand. “I know. I broke up with him. I left. I married someone else. I get it, Bristol. You don’t trust me. But Chase and I were kids. I did nothing wrong other than to have so many self-doubts that I made the worst mistake of my life. And trust me when I say breaking up with Chase wasn’t the only poor decision I made.” I swallowed hard. “I paid for it, believe me. But we’ve been given another chance. I’m not wasting it, and I’m certainly not walking away from it. Marcus approached me, and I certainly did nothing to encourage it. Just the opposite, actually.”
