“Yeah,” Heck admitted. “But I don’t know what I fear more—losing time with Carla in the future or facing Frank and telling him I’m in love with his woman.”
“The way I see it, you have to decide which one frightens you more. If losing Carla is what scares you, then you have to talk to Frank. If you’re more afraid of how Frank wi
ll respond, then you need to consider that, too. I know Frank as well as anybody and if you don’t talk to him, he’ll view your silence as betrayal. And when Frank feels betrayed, he’s an unreasonable man. More importantly, he’s a dangerous man.”
Chapter Nine
“I was about to send the wolves for you,” Frank teased. “Where have you been?”
“On the ridge,” Jock said, noticing how Heck avoided eye contact with Frank. If he planned to confront Frank and tell him about his feelings, he was off to a rocky start.
Frank watched him as if he were watching an enemy approach. Jabbing the air with his fork, he said, “Have a seat, Heck. Join us for dinner.”
Carla dropped the spoon in the potatoes and nervously carried the bowl to the table. She returned to the chopping block for the rest of their meal. Once she delivered the meat and bread, she took a seat opposite Frank.
Heck removed his hat and placed it behind him on the chair. Jock disappeared behind the curtain and placed his on the trunk. Noticing the belt doubled over on the side of the bed, he couldn’t help but imagine what he might have missed. The pillows were on the floor and the sheets were wrecked.
Carla had been punished, but she’d undoubtedly enjoyed a few rewards, too.
Releasing his suspenders, Jock glanced around the sleeping area once more before he rejoined the others. “Sure looks good, Carla.”
“Thanks,” she said, taking a sip of water. “I hope everyone enjoys it.”
Frank took a bite of his meal, popped his lips, roughly wiped his mouth with a napkin, and took another bite. The whole time, he kept his gaze pinned to Heck.
A guest at their dinner table, Heck kept his head down. He shoveled one spoonful of potatoes into his mouth and then another and another.
Amused, Jock watched the three of them. Catching a glimpse of the wanted posters on the chopping block, he said, “I’m glad Heck’s here tonight. We need to talk about what I heard in town.”
“Carla heard all that nonsense when she tapped into your thoughts. She told me all about it when you were up on the ridge babysitting Heck.”
Furious, Heck slammed his napkin to the table. When the dishes rattled, he turned to Carla. “I’m sorry, Carla. Thank you for dinner. It’d be best if I left now.”
“Don’t…” She immediately sealed her lips when Frank shot her a brooding stare. “Please be careful out there tonight.”
He nodded, grabbed his hat, said his farewells, and was out the door before anyone else tried to stop him.
“Are you happy now?” Carla asked, scooting away from the table.
“At least I won’t choke on my supper.”
“Frank, give her a break.”
“I have,” Frank said, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his belly. “Ask Carla about it. I went easy on her late this afternoon. If I’d punished her the way she’d deserved, she’d still be tied to the bed or out there in the loft receiving the spanking she earned.”
“Well at least I would’ve been with good company.”
“I won’t argue there,” Frank said. “The asses in the barn need friends too, and birds of a feather—”
“That’s enough!” Jock slammed his fist against the table. He rarely went up against Frank, but he wouldn’t stand by and let him insult their shared mate just because of his wounded pride.
Carla had apparently heard enough, too. She grabbed her sweater from the coat rack and stuffed her arms in the sleeves. “Well don’t you worry about me, Frank Smith. I’ll go out to the barn loft where I belong. And don’t you follow me thinkin’ we’ll enjoy us a hog-killin’ good time. There won’t be any kissing and making up. I’m done with you for tonight. I’d like to be left alone.”
The door slammed a second later and Frank stilled. He narrowed his gaze on her vacated seat and took a few deep breaths, twisting his lips back and forth as if he were trying to decide what to say.
“I want you to hear me out,” Jock said, placing his elbows on the table and clasping his hands over his plate. “We got a problem brewing. We need to decide how to handle it.”
“Heck is not a problem,” Frank said.