“You like the chocolate cake shooters,right?”
“Very much.”
“Do you like cherry flavor?” Kit quirks asmile.
“Yes.”
“Give me two cherry cordial shots.” Kitholds up two fingers to the bartender. “These taste like cherries andchocolate.” The bartender sits the shots in front of us. “On the count ofthree.” I pick up my shot. “One…” But I don’t let him get to two and down myshot.
“Oh Kit,” I set my empty shot glass downon the counter. “Dang it, sorry, let’s try again.” I make eye contact with thebartender and hold up a finger, then point to Kit’s shot. Kit has a grin on hisface from ear to ear. I give him a little shrug and my best sly smile. Thebartender sets another shot in front of me.
“Now,” Kit covers my shot with his hand.“We will go together.” I nod. We pick our shots up, downing them at the sametime.
“Those are great. It’s like eating achocolate covered cherry. Let’s have another.” I try to raise my hand, but Kitgently grabs my wrist.
“Coulter will skin me alive if I get youdrunk.”
I shrug. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
Kit shakes his head, laughing. “Here.” Hepicks up my wine, handing it to me. My eyes bulge and I smile.
“Oh, yeah.” I smile, taking the wineglassfrom him. He puts my arm around his and we make our way casually over to ourtable.
Before I can sit down, Olivia stands.“It’s about time.”
“Time for what?” I give her an irritatedlook.
“Time for a trip to the ladies’ room.” AsOlivia grabs my arm, I hand my now empty wine glass to Kit and Olivia drags mealong.
“Okay, I’ll come with you, but if youcome out telling everyone I’m pregnant again, we’re going to have a seriousproblem.”
“You’re so testy sometimes.”
“Me…” I trail off when we enter abeautiful ornate women’s room. “Is this off the tent?”
“Yes, they have them brought in for thesetypes of events.”
“Huh.” I sit down in a cushioned chairwith a sigh of relief to be away from everyone and have a minute to think,which is turning out to be more of a chore. I’m a bit drunk. I watch Oliviareapply her lipstick and straighten out her dress.
“Ready?” She leers over me.
“I need another minute.”
“Or maybe two,” she muses.
“Yeah, I’m surprised you think you’reready.”
“Touché, Mrs. Holt.” She turns on herheel, walking out of the bathroom.
I don’t think I will ever figure thatwoman out, and I’m pretty sure that’s the way she wants it. I don’t think shehates me, at least for the moment, and I know she’s not after Cole anymore. I’msure she’ll find something else to obsess over and make another poor soul’slife miserable. I already feel sorry for whoever he or she is.
I have no idea how to handle the wholethreat thing. I know Cole didn’t tell me because he doesn’t want me to worry.And now that Lawton belongs to us—well, me—because he can’t sell it without me,it makes it harder. He knows I don’t want to sell it, but I’m realizing whyCole and the guys wanted to sell Lawton. Who wants to spend their life lookingover their shoulder? I stand up. I better get back out there before Luke oreven Cole comes barging in here after me.
I take a quick look in the mirror to makesure I look presentable. My eyes are a little glassy, but not too bad. I walkdown the hall, coming out under the main tent.
“Kate.” I turn to find Rafe standingagainst the edge of the tent.
“Oh, hello.”
