He met my gaze, those feelings simmering deep in his eyes. A slight question was written on his face. What were we talking about?
Oh. Mama. “We should tell her in person. It wouldn’t feel right over the phone.”
“Then we’ll go now. They can leave.”
I smiled and patted his arm. “This is all going really fast.” He might not be my siblings’ biggest fan but this process would be easier if he was a touch more congenial.
“What’d you think would happen when you come back from Vegas married?” Tate held his hands up when Gideon aimed a glare his way. “I’m just saying. We’re worried about our sister. That shouldn’t be a surprise.”
“You’re right—maybe I wasn’t thinking.” I tightened my hold on Gideon’s hand to silence the argument I could feel building inside him. “Just like Wynter wasn’t thinking when she applied to work for Myles.”
Wynter blinked but continued to sway with the baby. She gave Myles a quelling smile. He was frowning, probably over his wife getting called out. Too bad.
“Or,” I continued, “I was thinking as much asSummer was when she left her wedding to stay with Jonah.”
Gideon cocked his head at my sister. He wouldn’t have heard the story.
“Well...” Summer shifted from foot to foot. “I mean... I’d just been slapped by my fiancé.”
Gideon jerked. The anger radiating off him was almost palpable. A good sign that hearing a guy hit my sister upset him.
“But you didn’t want to face us.” I’d been a little hurt. I had done my best to understand. I hadn’t gone through what she had, and I’d like to think that I wouldn’t have dated a guy like her ex, but I’d dated enough duds that I couldn’t really talk. “You weren’t exactly ready to explain what you were thinking, and we gave you space.” I switched my attention to Tate.
My oldest brother smirked. “Can’t really lump me in with them since it was all of you butting into my love life that got me together with Scarlett.”
He had me there. “You get a pass this once.”
Tate’s smile was warm, but the concern didn’t leave his eyes. “We’ll go to Hank’s tomorrow, but we’re not backing out of the land deal.” He eyed Gideon. “That’s up to your dad. And I hope while you’re here, you realize that he’s not the man you think he is. He’s not an old drunk.”
“I know exactly what kind of man he is.”
The corners of Tate’s jaw flexed. None of them could argue with what Gideon had gone through, and for that consideration, I was grateful.
“Like I said, that’s between you and him.” Tate glanced at Teller. “Our end is set, and we’re just waiting on the bank. Tomorrow, then. Send us the details andwhat we can bring. You know Mama’s going to want to make food.”
He went out the door. Tenor was right behind him, but Teller stopped and faced Gideon. “You hurt my sister and it’s not going to matter what you say. We’ll bury you deeper than that fancy casino of yours is tall.”
He was out the door while I gaped at him. I peeked at Gideon, but his strong profile hadn’t shifted. He was tenser with just my sisters left behind.
“Junie’s going to lose her shit,” Summer said. “Do we have to wait to say anything to her?”
“You’re dying to tell her?”
She put her hand to her chest. “I’m dying to tell someone who thinks you’re crazy but isn’t ready to gut your husband and turn him into bear bait. No offense, Wynter. We didn’t have much time before we rushed here.”
Wynter patted Elsa’s back. “I was in the middle of pumping. She actually had to tell Myles first, but he didn’t want to get involved.”
Myles shook his head. “I love you like a sister, Autumn, and I disagree with your brothers. I think you can handle your new husband.”
The thought made my stomach somersault. I hadn’t handled Gideon at all. Eventually, we’d get to that part of the bargain, and we shouldn’t wait, or the sale would be final too soon.
CHAPTER NINE
Gideon
The sun had set, but its fading rays still gilded the structure I drove up to. I never thought I’d willingly be on Bailey property again. The Copper Summit visit had been enough for a lifetime.
From the front, Mae Bailey’s house was a magnificent, sprawling log cabin. The main floor had large windows that overlooked the road and the rambling countryside dotted with trees. The picture from the windows would be breathtaking, framing the mountains in the distance and the rolling land in between. The front of the house was the only way to see how massive the place was.
