George gives her an exasperated look and throws in a sigh. “Not like we’ve had a real celebrity here in years,” he says. “Dolly Parton was on the slopes one year, made my job a helluva time. Sweet as pie, though. Never did meet a woman with such a nice nature.” He gives Iz a pointed look.
“Do you like older women?” she huffs. “Because while I adore her, love her music, and think she looks amazing, she’s old enough to be yourgrandmother.”
“Maybe I do like a cougar.” George shrugs. “What’s it to you?”
“Put a sock in it, we came to feed two starving prisoners over here, the food is getting cold,” Iz says, her lip curled up in the most hilarious way.
Starving prisoners.Oh, lordy.
I don’t know why they fight it. Something to do with a falling out from way back when, but I don’t exactly know the specifics. Izzy doesn’t talk about it.
“Appreciate the sentiment,” Brett says, tipping his hat, ever the gentleman.
“Well, if we left it up to George, you’d both be dead by starvation because he’s barricaded the driveway.”
George sighs. “I haven’tbarricadedit. I’ve placed a vehicle in the way so nobody can sneak by, along with two guards.”
“I’ll reimburse you for that,” Brett says. “That really isn’t on you guys.”
“Just give Alpine Falls a plug when you’re outta here back in Nashville,” George replies. “That’s all the payment we’ll need.”
He glances at me, then back to George. “I’m not sure I’m gonna be goin’ back in the long or short term.”
My heart skips a beat. “Y-you’re not?” I stammer.
“Well.” He brings my hand up to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “I’m hopin’ a little lady around these parts might consider lettin’ me stay a while longer?”
I want to scream, cry, jump into his arms, but I can’t with present company staring at us. “Um, okay, sure?”
Izzy snorts. “Jeez, Bails, sound a little more enthusiastic, we can turn around if you’d like to kiss,” she whisper-shouts behind the back of her hand to Brett and adds, “She’s not one to wear her heart on her sleeve.” In case he didn’t already get the picture, she winks for good measure.
Brett just chuckles. “I’m startin’ to get to know the signs.”
“Is it one blink for yes, two for no?” George cajoles.
Funny fuckers.
I flip him the bird, but turn to smile sweetly at Brett. “What I meant was, of course you can stay. I’d love that.”
“Aww.” Izzy clasps her hands together and makes gooey noises. “But can you guys hurry up and kiss or whatever, I’m starving and the food smells really good.”
Brett leans toward me and pecks me on the lips. “I’ll get us some plates.”
I’m not good at showing affection around other people, and Brett seems to understand that. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, but the fact Izzy is wiggling her eyebrows at me suggestively doesn’t help.
I’m about to tell her off when a flash goes off to the right of me. In two seconds, George is flying past me toward the door.Some sneaky damn reporter just took a photo through the glass. I’d forgotten about that small panel next to the front door, but it’s not like I’ve had to worry about something like this before.
When Brett follows George, he turns and says, “Stay here, Brett. I’ll handle this, you coming out is exactly what they want.”
I’m sure this is nothing, I tell myself. Nothing compared to what really goes on in the real world. I haven’t even had a taste of it yet, but I know that if it means I’ll get to be with Brett, then it’s a challenge I can overcome.
CHAPTER 22
Brett
George and Isabelle left an hour ago after George arrested the reporter for trespassing, and then secured the property twice over to make sure nobody else was lurking around.
I’m hoping George shoving the camera away when the reporter tried to snap more pictures over his shoulder was enough to break it. He ran off, not before George tackled him, and Izzy and Bailey stood there watching from behind the curtain in complete shock.
