Llew’s eyes widened and it made Ms. Pat tilt her back laughing heartily. “It was a college demonstration that went wrong and I ended up assaulting a police officer.” She shook her head, looking off wistfully, wearing a smile that looked like she enjoyed reflecting back on those days. “I was so young and full of spirit back then.”
“I did a little more than a year, Ms. Pat.”
She patted Llew’s hand again. “We all get into sticky wickets in life, Llewellyn. The trials the good Lord has put you through have only made you into the man you are today. And I know you’re a good man. I can see it in everything you do and say. Taking time out of your young day to help a lady carry her bags. Now you may catch some mess from some of these old fogies in this town, but you won’t from me, ya hear?”
“Yes, mam,” Llew whispered, his heart clenching at the genuine friendship Ms. Pat exhibited toward him. He actually felt things might be alright… but he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Chapter Seventeen
Shane sat next to Jack in the town’s main rec room, where they held bingo twice a week, waiting on the town meeting to start. He rolled his eyes as he watched some of the people walk in as if they owned the world. Just because they had their last name on a pew in the church, or because their last name matched one of the founders of Henderson, they believed that they owned a piece of America. It really made Shane sick.
“Stop looking like that.” Jack popped him with the small program listing the meeting order, admonishing him. “What’s got up in your craw these last couple days?”
“Nuttin man. Jim Sr. just came in with his stuck-up wife.”
“Susan’s not stuck-up, maybe just a tad frigid.”
“Please. You couldn’t pull a quarter outta her ass with a tractor.”
Jack busted out laughing, earning a swat from his mother on the other side of him.
“Ow, Ma. It wasn’t me, it was Shane.”
“Boy, you been using that same excuse since ya’ll was boys in the school yard. Now hush up, the mayor’s coming in,” she said, then turned back to her best friend on her other side.
“Do you know Jim Sr. is still giving me shit about doing the construction on his momma’s room?” Shane hissed close to Jack’s ear. He saw Jim Sr. sit closer to the front, but not before giving him a dirty look.
“You finished that room over her garage already. You practically did that whole thing on your own.”
“Yeah, well. He damn sure wasn’t doing it. She was tired of his excuses about how busy he was, or how all his men were on other jobs. So, I did it for her.”
“Nothing wrong with that, man. Forget about him, okay? I doubt that’s his problem anyway. He’s probably more concerned that you keep beating him out on every job you two bid on. He’s stuck doing small residential jobs, and now you got that big office park gig. He’s no doubt feeling the pinch. Cut him some slack.”
“Maybe you’re ri—” Shane stopped mid-sentence when he saw Ms. Pat walking in on Llew’s arm. There was no way in hell he’d forgotten about him. He couldn’t wait for the big, beautiful man to start working for him so he could see him every day, maybe even come up with a reason for him to have to come to his office regularly. He watched Llew gingerly sit Ms. Pat down in her seat, and Shane smiled as Ms. Pat held her head high while the other women gawked at her fine escort. Llewellyn retreated to the back of the room and leaned against the wall by the door. Many eyes were on the new face in town, but Shane watched for a whole other reason. He wanted Llewellyn Gardner.
Jack looked back at him and then followed Shane’s line of sight. “Damn, dude. Put your tongue back in your mouth. You’re about as bad as these other hens.”
Shane ignored his friend, keeping his focus on the man’s towering presence. Llew couldn’t help but command attention. His tousled, unkempt hair and dark beard gave him a dangerous appearance. But it was that huge, muscular body that made whoever looked at him think nasty thoughts. A few of the high school girls were throwing flirty looks his way and giggling amongst each other, but Llew paid no attention. He was looking over the program, oblivious to the effect he had on Shane… hell, on the whole damn room.
The mayor cleared his throat at the podium and all heads turned and focused on him but Shane. As soon as Llew looked up, Shane was looking him dead in his expressive eyes. He saw Llew’s chest expand and fall with his gasp. Shane gave him a small smile but Llew’s face was completely impassive. It was those dark eyes that didn’t lie. Llew was thinking a few impure thoughts himself. Damn if it didn’t make Shane’s cock throb in his faded jeans. He felt a sharp elbow in his arm jerking his attention back to his friend.