Chuckling, I shook hands all around, recognizing a couple of faces from the bonfire although I hadn’t been introduced at the time.“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise, darlin’,” the youngest-looking one said.
With his arm still around mine, Lynx led me over to where Amy was now standing with Wolfe.
The brothers greeted Wolfe, then shook hands with Amy after another round of introductions.No way would I remember all those names, even if they repeated them a dozen times.
“This is my husband, Beau,” Ethan stated.
The big blond guy moved to the front and shook my hand, then Amy’s.
Unable to help myself, I studied the men briefly.I had to admit, the good looks ran in Lynx’s family.Still, there was something about Lynx that stood out from the rest.And it was more than just the tattoos.
“So, to what do we owe the honor?”Wolfe questioned, his attention on Travis.
“Thought it was time we put a plan together,” Travis stated.
“Yep,” Zane added, “and we’re the cavalry.”
Lynx chuckled.“Hell, boy, I heard you can’t even wrangle your kiddo.”
Zane grinned from ear to ear, pride etched over his features.“Maybe not, but that don’t stop me from tryin’.”
The shop door opened and my head snapped over to see my brother joining us once again.He looked pissed and more than a little tired.This had to be wearing on him.The fact that he was in love with Amy, wanted to keep her safe although his hands were tied, had to be tearing him apart.
Rhys nodded at me in acknowledgment and I smiled in return.
“Sheriff,” Wolfe greeted, grinning.“You remember my cousins.”
“I do.”
Once more, handshakes took place, and I attempted to put names with faces as Wolfe pointed everyone out one more time.
“My cousin Jared’s on his way,” Travis noted.“He’s over at DHR with his wife.Said he wanted to be part of this, too.Offerin’ up whatever help he can.”
Jesus Christ.How freaking big was this family?
I thoughtIhad a big family, but mine didn’t hold a candle to this.
Not even close.
However, it did make me want to go visit my mother and grandfather.Even if we tended to fight all the time, I still missed them.And now that I wasn’t with Billy anymore, I had to wonder whether my relationship with them could be repaired.One day.I figured my mother would eventually have to realize that Billy hadn’t been good for me.Despite my mother’s belief that a man and woman should stick together no matter what, there was no denying that Billy and I had been doomed from the start.Then again, I couldn’t deny one of the main reasons I'd stayed with Billy was to defy my grandfather.The man didn’t like anyone.
Not that it was agoodreason, but it was a reason nonetheless.
Or it was just another excuse I'd come up with over the years to defend my actions.
Whatever.
The last thing I ever claimed was to be perfect.But as I glanced at Lynx, I had to thank God for second chances.
Kelly
I didn’t know who these assholes were that seemed to be watching my every move, but it hadn’t been easy giving them the slip.Part of me wanted to do some digging, but I figured that was a moot point.They had to be tied to Amy somehow.And if those rednecks thought they had the upper hand, they had another thing coming.
I wasn’t a fucking amateur and they were sorely underestimating me if they thought I was.
Plus, I was smart enough to know I was running out of time.At some point, everyone got lucky and it was high time I made sure Amy was dealt with.One more visit to that stupid backwoods town would do the trick.
