“So, you’d expect Jessica to move. Away from her family and her church.”
Well, shit.
If we were truly husband and wife, that would only make sense. And while I wanted nothing more than to be Jessica’s husband in every sense of the word, I wasn’t going to get ahead of myself. We hadn’t even kissed yet.
“I can do a lot of my work from a home office, and when I need to be in Lancastle, it’s an easy enough flight.”
“So, do you have a house in Haven Springs?”
“Not yet. Right now, I’m staying at my friend’s house. Brian O’Shaughnessy—maybe you know him? He’s a sergeant with the Haven Springs Police Department.”
“I know his dad, Angus. Good man.”
Before I could offer that Jess and I could look for a place to rent, Kevin interjected, “I’ll pay you ten thousand dollars.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jessica
I paused when I opened the cupboard that held the plates. “Do you think I should set the table for four or five?”
Mama didn’t even try to hide her scowl. “Hopefully four, but you should double-check, just in case.”
That surprised me. Normally when “the men” were talking, I wasn’t allowed in the room until they were done.
I quietly moved down the hall, hoping to hear some of their conversation before making my presence known.
Alan’s deep voice said, “I’m not going to match or beat Kevin’s offer to buy Jessica if that’s what you’re asking. So why should you let me marry your daughter? Because I will love her and Ruthie and make sure they’re happy.”
I was both appalled that Kevin was trying to buy me, but Alan saying he’d love me and Ruthie made my toes curl.
He continued, “I’m a good guy to have around, and someone you want in your corner.” He paused then added, “You don’t want me as an enemy.”
I heard Kevin ask, “Is that a threat?”
Alan sounded dead calm when he replied, “Just a fact.”
Kevin’s voice got louder, “Ed, can you believe this kid? You snot-nosed little punk, with your ‘I’ll make her happy,’ bullshit. You don’t even share her faith—how are you going to make her happy?”
I heard my dad say, “Kevin, take a seat and calm down,” but Alan remained quiet.
I don’t think Kevin followed my dad’s suggestion—at least about the calm down part, because his voice grew louder. “You’re already screwing her, aren’t you? I bet you just flashed her a smile, and she spread her legs.”
I heard rustling, then a thump against the wall, followed by Alan’s voice, low and menacing. “If youeverdisrespect my future wife like that again, you’ll be eating out of a straw for a year. Do you understand?”
Kevin sniveled affirmatively, and I heard more rustling. That’s when I decided to head back to the kitchen. I felt confident telling Mama, “It’s only going to be the four of us.”
And I probably ought to go change my panties before dinner, because holy hell, having my honor defended like that was hot.
****
Alan
Ed wisely didn’t come to Kevin’s defense when I pinned him against the wall by his neck.
After I let go, Kevin looked over at Ed and sputtered, “I wouldn’t marry her now ifyoupaidme. She’s way too damaged goods.”
Yeah, okay, buddy.
