Fuck that guy.
He better stay in his car if he knows what’s good for him.
I made sure to make—and maintain—eye contact with him while I put one hand on the small of Jess’s back and guided her toward Brian’s Silverado. For good measure, I added a scowl and glared at him when we walked in front of his car.
He must have gotten my point because he never got out.
He did, however, follow us once we started the drive to the farmhouse.
Maybe he thought Jess’s dad would back him up once we got there.
After my conversation with Ed earlier, I doubted it. But even if the two men did decide to team up and try their luck, I wasn’t worried—at least not for my safety. I could handle myself just fine against two middle-aged men. My only concern was Jess and Ruthie getting caught in the chaos.
As Jessica studied the side-view mirror, she asked, “Is Mr. Roberts following us?”
I could hear the worry in her voice and wanted to pull the truck to the side right then, take her in my arms, and make her feel safe.
I made a show of glancing into the rearview mirror, like I hadn’t known he’d been behind us since we’d left the bakery.
“Huh; it looks like it.”
“You don’t think he’s going to do anything stupid, do you?”
“I hope not. But I promise I won’t let him hurt you or Ruthie.”
Her whole body turned when she snapped her gaze to look at me head-on.
“You think he’d hurtme?Or Ruthie?”
Shit.
I didn’t want to scare her, so I tried to downplay my concerns. “No. I just meant he might take a swing at me, and if he does, I’ll make sure you and Ruthie are out of harm’s way.”
She relaxed against the seat and murmured, “He’d be stupid to try and fight you.”
“Probably.” I took my eyes off the road to look at her. “But I wouldn’t blame him.”
****
Jessica
“Why not?”
“You’re worth fighting for.”
A kaleidoscope of butterflies erupted in my belly, and I pressed my lips together to hide my smile.
He thought I was worth fighting for.
Was this guy really going to marry me?
Loser frat boys or balding, middle-aged men were the type of men attracted to me, not hot Marines turned homebuilders.
It felt too good to be true, and I reminded myself that he was just doing this because he felt sorry for me.
Alan turned into the driveway, and Kevin pulled in right behind us, but parked closer to the pole barn than the house. Hewaited until we were walking toward the front door before he got out.
Alan carried Ruthie’s car seat while I had her diaper bag draped over my shoulder and in my hands, a blueberry pie I’d baked that afternoon. Lainey had said we could have it, but Alan insisted on paying her for it.
