Evie sipped her wine, her eyes resting on Rachel’s face.
A server appeared as if by thin air and filled Garrett’s glass. “I was immune to your charms then, just as I am now,” Garrett said.
Rachel’s nostrils flared.
“Strike two,” Evie murmured and smiled
Rachel’s nostrils flared, a thin golden sheen ringing the irises of her eyes.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?” Garrett asked after he’d taken a sip of his wine.
Rachel demurred. “My father wishes for me to explore the world more.”
“I wouldn’t think he would ship you to a Lord’s house knowing how busy their respective territories are. Caelan does not have time to babysit guests.”
Simone choked on a laugh.
Rachel sucked in a breath. “I do not require babysitting, Second. And you should mind your tongue.”
A slow, savage grin crossed Garrett’s face. “You are in the house of the Texas Lord. If anyone needs to watch their mouth, it’s you.” He set his wine glass down and leaned forward. “Now why don’t you tell us why you’re really here.”
An hourlater and we were still no closer to finding out the real reason Rachel had randomly shown up at my door. She had succeeded in annoying every single one of the servers, and Simone was glaring daggers. Rachel would be lucky if she got out of the room without someone plunging a knife in her back.
Evie seemed completely at ease, which was unusual for her. I couldn’t sense a single thread of tension emanating from her. For all intents and purposes, she seemed completely unbothered by my new guest.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this. Did she not see Rachel as a threat? If not, I’d be relieved. The only threat Rachel posed was to herself. She and I were over and had been for years. Rachel was a complication, but not one I couldn’t handle.
Simone toyed with the napkin in her life. “When are you scheduled to return home?”
Her voice was suspiciously sweet.
Rachel’s eyes glinted. “I don’t have a return date as of yet. Father wants me to take in the sights.”
“The sights?” Garrett snorted. “We’re in Joy Springs. Our population is small and our goods are artisan, but this is not a world-class destination. We have no amusement parks, no malls, and none of the big city charm people look for when they’re researching places to vacation. We’re a one-day destination at most, a quaint, small town where you might get some of the best jam you’ve ever tasted, but with zero night life.”
Simone nodded and tipped her glass in a salute. “Exactly. We really could use a few bars around here. Instead, everything closes by nine, most by eight. If you’re looking for fun, Rachel, you’re in the wrong place.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Once I leave Joy Springs, I’ll be on my way to Austin. But I have no plans to hurry through my visit here.” Her eyes landed on Caelan as a wicked smile tipped her lips up. “I’m sure I can find at least one thing here to distract me until I’m ready to leave.”
Evie stiffened. My hand tightened on her thigh. “It sounds easy for you,” she murmured.
Rachel smiled. “Oh? What’s easy?”
Evie’s azure eyes glittered. “Your willingness to open your legs for any male who gives you a hint of attention.”
Garrett barked a laugh and tried to turn it into a cough.
Rachel’s eyes blazed with fury. “Are you calling me a whore?”
Evie laughed, a sharp crack of sound. “There are two men here this evening and you’ve all but bared your chest to both of them in the space of half an hour. You’d think you’d be a little more circumspect in mixed company.”
Rachel bared her teeth. “And you’d think our Lord would have better taste than trying to wed a mongrel.”
Fury roared through me. “Enough!” I pointed at Rachel. “Leave the table. Now.”
Rachel pressed her victim button and reacted the same way she had every single time someone reprimanded her for her behavior. Her lower lip wobbled, and tears swam in her bright eyes. “Caelan, I meant no harm by my words. I was only responding to her insults.”
Evie snorted.
