“We’ll happily take out the trash,” Devon grumbled.
With that, Kaleb and Devon propelled the intoxicated man toward the door.
I’d known the two men since I was a kid, and I could tell they were furious about what had been said to Cole.
I looked up to see a perplexed look on Cole’s face.
He might have stridden over here to rescueme, but I could tell he wasn’t used to having anyone except his brother defend him.
My heart ached because he almost seemed uneasy that people had actually jumped to his defense.
Silas moved closer to Cole and slapped him on the back. “Sorry about that. Todd’s not a nice person most of the time, but he’s impossible to get along with when he’s hammering the drinks down. I should have been paying attention and cut him off. It’s so crowded that I didn’t notice him until he started making trouble.”
“It’s not your fault,” Cole said stiffly. “He’s not the only one who thinks that way.”
The elderly man frowned. “I suppose he’s not the only idiot in this town, but don’t let those folks get to you, Cole. Where’s that brother of yours tonight?”
Silas and Cole continued to trade comments, but I was so busy studying Cole that I didn’t really hear the lighter conversation.
I’d known that Cole was nervous from the moment we’d walked into the bar earlier.
He hid his emotions well, but I’d sensed his trepidation.
So much so that I’d almost made up an excuse to leave.
After all, he’d taken me out to dinner and came to this gathering to do something nice for me, and I’d never meant to make him uncomfortable.
The only thing that had stopped me from making up that excuse to leave was the fact that Cole really needed to be with his family more.
He also needed to show his gorgeous face in town more often so the rumors about him and Asher could eventually dissipate.
Still, I hated the fact that some jerk had called Cole a murderer after I’d encouraged him to come here.
I’d never expected that to happen.
Some people in this town gossiped, but speculation was much different than someone calling him out for being a murderer.
Most of the people around us at that moment had looked horrified.
There had been a bit of a scene, but it had been touching to see Devon and Kaleb so readily stand up to someone who was saying something bad about Cole.
I’d known that none of the other Remingtons believed in Asher or Cole’s guilt but seeing them treat Cole as one of their own was heartwarming for me.
“Dance with me, angel,” Cole said in a persuasive voice next to my ear.
I startled, suddenly realizing that the music had started and that Silas had moved away after his discussion with Cole had ended.
I also realized that Cole still had a steely arm around my waist.
A shiver of longing fluttered down my spine.
I knew it was dangerous to like being this close to his massive body, but I suddenly felt like a woman who didn’t mind living a little dangerously.
I knew there wouldn’t be that many opportunities to be this close to Cole Remington in the future.
I smiled at him and nodded, and Cole took my hand and drew me onto the dance floor.
“I’m sorry about what just happened,” I told him as he took me into his arms.
