“You said when, not if.” Despite all the bad news surrounding her, she smiled. “Thank you for believing in me.”
He brushed her hair off her shoulders. “My pleasure. So you’ll take the money?”
She shook her head. “Thank you but no. I can’t.” Even if Jason and his family didn’t despise her sister and grandmother, she still couldn’t accept a loan.
“But-”
“But your faith in me means everything.” No one in her life had ever believed in her unconditionally.
She wound her hands around his neck and pulled him close for a thank-you kiss.
“Just what do you think you’re doing?” a male voice shouted.
Startled, Lauren jumped back.
His uncle Edward glared at them.
Clara stood by his side, shaking her head.
And walking toward them with a determined stride was Jason’s father, Thomas.
Jason groaned.
Lauren winced and waited for all hell to break loose on Main Street.
“Well, well, well, I’m so happy to see my family out and about on this beautiful day!” Thomas was dressed to the nines, as he liked to say, his white collared shirt pressed and the top button open. By the determined gleam in his eye, he was clearly a man on a mission.
“Did you see those two going at it like rabbits?” Edward asked, gesturing wildly at Jason and Lauren.
“Eddie, calm down.” Clara placed her hand on his shoulder. “I have the prescription Dr. Shelby just gave you. Let’s go on over to the drugstore and fill it. The sooner you take your medicine, the better you’ll feel.” She waved the prescription papers she held in her other hand.
Jason grasped Lauren’s hand to reassure her, hoping he wasn’t going to lose her again over his family’s insanity. Or their family’s shared history.
“Is the medicine going to stop those two from making the mistake of their lives?” Edward asked, wide-eyed.
Jason glanced at Lauren.
She studied Edward with compassion, but she wasn’t upset, nor was she pulling away. Apparently the promise she’d made to him earlier meant something. He refused to examine his relief too closely.
Thomas walked up to his brother. “Edward, if you’re going to keep a woman as beautiful and smart as Clara, you need to pull it together. Get your new medication filled.” His tone was soft and encouraging.
Jason narrowed his gaze, wondering if his father had taken his words to heart the other night. Uncle Edward could not handle anyone pushing him into a relationship or playing the jealousy card. Not now.
“There’s nothin’ to keep. We’re not a couple!” Edward shouted at his brother. “Couples mean curses and I’ve already been down that road.”
“Really?” Thomas asked, an unholy gleam in his eye.
Uh-oh, Jason thought.
“If you’re not a couple, then I’m going to do something I’ve wanted to do since laying eyes on this lovely woman.” Thomas stepped up to Clara and took her free hand in his. “Have dinner with me, beautiful lady?” he asked in his most polished tone.
“I will not!” Clara yanked her hand away immediately.
But Uncle Edward pulled away from her grasp, as well. “I knew it. Old dogs don’t learn new tricks. Here you are poaching on my woman again!” he said to his brother.
He physically distanced himself from Clara.
She shot Thomas a deadly stare. “Come on.” Grasping Edward’s hand, Clara attempted to lead him away before things could degenerate further.