Jordyn frowned. “I do too.”
The rest of the way, we reminisced about our parents, talking about how Mom loved baking and Dad enjoyed woodworking. He’d built his own workshop on the five acres of land we’d lived on.
Before long, the one-story home with high peaks, timber siding, and a stone facade on the front came into view. Three of the horses were grazing in the pasture behind the property. A beat-up gray truck, a Suburban, a golf cart, and a three-wheeler sat outside the six-car garage—or rather, workshop. No one parked their cars inside.
My uncle Jack made his money on horses and cattle. Over the years, he’d done well financially, but since Uncle Ray had gambled away most of the money from the family business, Uncle Jack had been trying to replenish what they’d lost, which was probably what he and Ray were doing in Bozeman.
After the horses were back in their stalls, Jordyn and I headed into the house. As we shucked our boots in the mudroom, Aunt Tab’s voice filtered in.
“Sam, you need to stop calling and texting her,” Aunt Tab said. “My husband will burn you alive. Do you understand?”
Jordyn’s wide-eyed look met mine before I bolted through the mudroom then the laundry room, skidding to a halt in the kitchen.
4
LAYLA
The color drained from Aunt Tab’s face as I ripped the phone—my phone—from her and ended the call. I wasn’t talking to Sam. Not then. Maybe not ever.
“Youhad my phone?”
Jordyn rushed in on my heels and sucked in air.
I narrowed my eyes so hard it hurt. “Why?”
Aunt Tab rubbed her lips together, seemingly deciding how to answer. I suddenly understood why she’d looked like something had been bothering her when we left to go horseback riding.
“I was in your room this morning when you were in the shower,” Aunt Tab said. “Your phone was vibrating. I saw the text and got curious. Then your uncle Jack poked his head in to tell me he was leaving, and…” She lowered her gaze to the knife beside the cutting board on the island where she had tomatoes, an onion, and celery ready to be chopped.
I gripped my phone as I created some distance between us, settling at the end of the island. “Please tell me Uncle Jack did not read the text.” I held my breath. I had no idea what the text was about, but considering Sam’s previous ones were rather steamy, I would bet my uncle went through the roof.
Jordyn slid onto a stool across from Aunt Tab. “How did you get into her phone? You need her passcode.”
Aunt Tab lifted her dark gaze. “The text was on the screen.”
I was kicking myself for not turning off the show-preview feature. Then again, I’d never needed to hide my messages. But stupid me should’ve thought about that before entering their house.
I set my phone down on the island. “The bigger question is why you kept it.”
She picked up the knife and began slicing a tomato. “Your uncle took it and tried to unlock your screen, which he couldn’t. I planned on returning it, but I got sidetracked. I’m sorry, Layla. I was being nosy. Your uncle told me that you girls were too friendly with the vampires. He saw how Rianne threw herself at Sam Mason. I was curious to know more. And I’d been meaning to ask, but you got sick, and with everyone in the house, I could never get Rianne and Jordyn alone.” Regret threaded through her words.
Anger bubbled to the surface, making me shake. “Are you sure you want to know, or are you spying for your husband?”
Aunt Tab was a nice person who treated me with kindness and had been a great friend to my mom. But she was loyal to Jack. Therefore, I couldn’t trust her.
She focused on chopping vegetables. “I’m trying to help.”
“Help?” I parroted. “Snooping in my business is not the definition of helping.” She’d never come to my rescue when my uncle berated me.
“I adore you girls,” Aunt Tab said. “I want what’s best for you, and vampires aren’t.”
Anger morphed into fury. “With all due respect, Aunt Tab, you don’t know what’s best for me or Jordyn or Rianne. You haven’t done anything for us since our mom or dad died.”
She set the knife down, wiped her hands on her apron, and sighed. “You’re right. I should’ve been more attentive and involved, especially when your mom passed away. I can’t change the past, but I want to be there for you now. All three of you seem lost.” She gave me a warm smile. “I love you girls. Let me help.”
Jordyn and I exchanged a suspicious look.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was fishing for Jack. “I can’t trust you.” In no way was I about to share what had happened between Sam and me. Besides, that was old news and in the past, to use her term, which was where I wanted Sam and me to stay.
