Matt tips his drink at her. “That’s mighty nice of you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Hey, Adam.” Joe lightly knocks the side of my leg. “Join me in the barn, I want to show you that new mare we got. She’s a beaut.”
“Can you show her to me next week? It’s getting kinda late, and I should get the girls home.”
Camille rests her hand on my chest. “Don’t worry about us. Go. We’ll sit here with Leann until you’re done.”
I look down at Camille’s light blue eyes shining up at mine and my chest tightens. Yeah, I’m definitely in this way deeper than I’m willing to admit. “You sure?”
“Yes, we’re good.”
“Besides, they already showed her to me,” Lizzy’s voice sounds tired, but laced with excitement. “I don’t know much about horses, but that mare is pretty.”
I nod, pleased to see Lizzy taking to our way of life so quickly. “Well, if you’re sure.”
Camille cups my cheek and lightly kisses me on the lips. Her show of affection in front of my family surprises me and has my heart doing flips. This one small action gives me more hope than anything else that’s happened between us. “Go, we’ll be fine.”
“Okay.” I squeeze her shoulder before I stand. “We won’t be long.”
Matt and Joe are halfway across the yard by the time I make it off the porch. Joe loves to show off his new animals, but this trip to the barn isn’t about the new mare. I’m not that naive. My brothers want to question me about Camille.
As soon as I enter the barn, I cross my arms over my chest and stare at my brothers. “Let me hear it. Cause I know you didn’t drag me out here to show me a damn mare.”
Joe is the first to speak. “So, what’s going on with Camille?”
Even though I don’t want to have this conversation so soon after talking with Momma, I’m glad they get to it and don’t drag it out.
“It’s new,” I sigh and drop against the wall of the barn. “But I’ve gotten to know her pretty well these past couple months.”
“Are you sure getting close to her is a wise idea?” Matt’s tone is even, but I can see the concern in his eyes.
My shoulders sag, and I let out a rugged breath. “I really like her. There’s not a whole lot I can do about that.”
“She’s got some serious baggage.” Joe lowers his voice as he speaks. “A dead husband is one thing, but a dead son, too?”
I push off the wall and square my shoulders. My anger instantly spikes at the mention of Camille’s son. “How do youknow about her son? She hasn’t talked to anyone but me about that.”
“Lizzy told us when I was showing her the mare. That girl likes to talk.” Joe steps forward, his arms crossed over his chest. “Are you sure she’s even ready for a relationship?”
I match his step, my chest brushing against his arms. “Why the third degree, Joe? I told you this is new. We’re not even that serious.”
“Bullshit.” Joe pushes back from me and drops his arms. “You don’t date, Adam. And you never bring women home to meet the family. You’re in deep, and you know it. She’s damaged.” He tosses his hands into the air and turns away from me. “I can’t see you get hurt again like with Irene.”
I struggle to rein in my anger and remind myself Joe means well. He’s never been very good at delivering his emotions. He lacks the softer touch that Matt possesses.
“All right.” Matt steps between us and places a gentle hand on Joe’s back. “Calm down. Getting angry or upset isn’t going to help anything.”
Joe huffs before he turns back toward me. “Sorry. Like I said, I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
“I get it. And I honestly don’t know where this will lead. If this turns serious, Camille and I will have to have a deeper conversation. But we’re not there yet.”
Joe’s expression turns almost sad. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
I smile and pull Joe in for a hug. He may be a little rough around the edges, but he has a heart of gold. Once he commits himself to someone, he’ll bend over backwards to help them out and show them how much he cares. “I promise. And trust me when I say my eyes are wide open. Camille is not Irene. There is no deceit or lies. She’s open and honest with me. Okay?”
He nods before he lightly punches me in the arm and walks away. Joe’s always the one to face conflict, but when conversations turn serious—emotional even—he always ducks and runs.
As far as I know, he’s never really been in love. He dates a lot, but nothing ever turns serious. I can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding his own broken heart behind his anger.
