Austin gave Cody a tight smile. “You mean she bought them for you to play with while you’re here?”
Dallas walked over carrying a jeep. “No, she said we could keep them and take them home.”
Debbie bought his sons remote control trucks? And not just any trucks. She’d purchased the expensive ones. Austin knew because he’d priced them at Christmas time. But there had been no way he could afford to buy two of them.
Heck, he couldn’t even afford one. Which was just as well, because his boys would have fought over it.
Austin clenched his jaw as heat filled his body.
Who did Debbie think she was?
She had no right to give his sons expensive gifts without asking him first. Was she trying to buy their affection like Cheyenne’s parents had? They’d spoiled his kids with expensive gifts, making him look like a loser in the process.
“Don’t get too attached guys. You’re not keeping them.” Austin walked past the boys, ignoring their protests. He stormed through the front door without bothering to knock.
Finding Debbie in the kitchen, he walked right up to her. “What were you thinking?” The words came out a shout.
She flinched and took a step back. “What do you mean?”
“How dare you give my kids expensive gifts without consulting me first?”
“I—I wasn’t thinking anything.”
“Exactly. You rich people are all alike. You do whatever you please without even considering how it affects other people.”
“That’s not true!” Debbie squared her shoulders and glared at him.
“Isn’t it?”
Austin was vaguely aware of Dallas and Cody coming into the house and Savannah entering the kitchen. He shouldn’t shout at Debbie in front of his kids, but he was so angry with the beautiful, rich redhead, who made his pulse race every time he saw her, he couldn’t think straight.
Despite his anger, he couldn’t help noticing Debbie’s fitted black slacks and ruby red blouse that accentuated her figure and fiery hair. She must be wearing lipstick today because her lips appeared much redder and fuller than on Saturday when he’d almost kissed her.
How could he be so angry with Debbie yet so attracted to her?
He propped his hands on his hips. “How do you think it makes me feel for you to give my kids a gift I can’t afford to give them?” Out of the corner of his eye, Austin spotted Dallas and Cody whispering.
They’d better not be devising a way to convince me to let them keep the trucks.
“It’s not my fault you couldn’t afford them, so stop yelling at me.”
“Dad—” Dallas pulled on Austin’s sleeve, while Cody whispered something to Savvy.
“Not right now, Dallas. I’m talking to Miss Debbie.”
“You’re not talking to her. You’re yelling at her, and we have a rule about arguing.” Dallas pressed against Austin’s back, pushing him to the other side of the kitchen.
“Stop it, Dallas. Sometimes grown-up discussions get a little loud.”
“It’s still arguing,” Dallas said as he continued to push Austin.
“Yeah, Dad.” Cody pushed Debbie across the kitchen where Savannah opened the pantry door and flipped on the light.
Dallas shoved Austin inside the large walk-in pantry. “That’s enough, guys.” He spun around to walk back out and crashed into Debbie who got pushed in by Cody.
“Wh—what’s going on?” Debbie sputtered as she staggered sideways.
Austin wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her.
