Page 64 of Falling for the Maverick

Aaron swore under his breath. “Does she know this?”

Lucas stared down at the ground.

“Come on, man, if you can’t tell her you love her, then you don’t deserve her. If you can’t man up, then stay the hell away from my sister.”

Lucas watched Michelle’s brother retreat. He had to admire Aaron for standing up for his sister. He would’ve done the same for his sisters if he was in Aaron’s situation. But admitting to Michelle’s brother how he felt about her wasn’t going to solve his dilemma.

He needed to talk to Tiffany. Now that his sister was back, maybe she could give him advice on how to proceed with her friend.

He went to the front of the store where Caleb had loaded a hand truck with bags of feed. “Sorry about that,” he said in apology.

Caleb regarded him for a long moment, then nodded. “I’m okay as long as you didn’t bust up my place.”

Lucas smiled. “I don’t think it would’ve gotten that far.”

“Yeah, right,” Caleb muttered as he totaled Lucas’s purchase. “When I see veins popping out in necks, the next thing will be punches.”

“There was no way I was going to hit him. My sister would bring holy hell down on me for hitting a Corey.”

“Did you call a truce?”

“Yup.”

“Good. Otherwise family get-togethers would’ve been real awkward.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Lucas said confidently. He paid for the feed, then pushed the hand truck out to where he’d parked and loaded up the pickup’s flatbed. He texted Tiffany, asking her to come to the ranch. All he said was that it was important he speak to her.

Seconds later Tiffany told him she would see him around five.

He sent her a thumbs-up emoji.

“It’s on now,” he whispered to himself as he got into the pickup and headed home.

Chapter Fifteen

Lucas was waiting on the porch when Tiffany drove up. Smiling, he came down to meet her, kissing her cheek. “Married life really agrees with you. You’re glowing.”

“That’s because being married is wonderful.” Tiffany touched his jaw. “What’s up with the facial hair?”

“I’ll explain everything in the house.”

“You better, because you’re scaring me, Lucas.”

“Do you want anything to eat or drink?” he asked, leading her inside the house.

“No. I’m having dinner with the family tonight.”

“By family you mean the Coreys?”

She gave him a look. “Have you forgotten that I’m married to a Corey?”

“No, Tiff.”

“Now tell me what’s going on with you.”

Lucas confessed to Tiffany about his secret relationship with Michelle, because Aaron and Ethan were against his seeing her, while admitting he’d messed up and now needed her advice on fixing things. He also told her about not having time for a relationship with him running the ranch and helping their father with his latest business proposition. And that he was stepping back once it was resolved.

Tiffany gave him an I don’t believe what I’m hearing look as she shook her head. “I can’t believe my genius brother is asking me for advice about a woman.”