Jace looked out at the crowd on the square. “I’m here with my family, and your family. And you.”
“What about—” Bree stopped herself. She didn’t want to ask who had been in the truck with him when he pulled up. She’d find out soon enough, and not give him the satisfaction of knowing she cared as much as she did.
“What about who, darlin’?”
“Never mind.” She looked down at his hand, which still held her arm. “Please, let me go.”
Rather than let go, Jace pulled her closer—close enough to kiss her.
Out of the corner of her eye, Bree saw the blonde, walking toward the fire pit. “Her,” she said, pointing.
“Who?” he looked into the crowd of people. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
“The blonde.” Bree cringed at the sound of her own voice. “Listen, this isn’t any of my business, at least I don’t want it to be.”
“That blonde? The one wearing the black leather jacket?”
Bree looked again. “Yes, that blonde.”
“Do you see the guy sitting in the chair beside her?”
“What about him?”
“That’s her husband, Ty Rinaldo. Didn’t you meet them at Patterson Ranch the night we all had dinner there?”
The man did look familiar. She didn’t remember ever meeting the woman.
“Oh, wait, she wasn’t there. She was at dinner the next night. The night you refused to join us.”
“You mean she’s…”
“Ty’s wife? Yep. Come on, I’ll introduce you.” Jace took Bree’s hand and walked toward the fire pit.
“No, wait.” She pulled her hand back. “I’d rather not.”
Jace looked over and saw Kaleb-the-cop sitting on the other side of the fire pit. “Yeah, me either. Wanna get outta here?”
Bree hesitated, but when she nodded her head, Jace led her to the parking area.
“Where are we going?” she asked when he drove into town and parked on a side street just off the main drag.
“You’ll see.” He opened the door. Bree jumped out, and he took her hand. “It won’t be too crowded in here yet,” he said. “And we can talk.”
“What is this place?”
“It’s called the Dogwood Cocktail Cabin.” Jace led her inside and to a table in the corner.
They hadn’t yet sat down when a pretty woman approached them. “Is that Jace Rice?”
He felt Bree stiffen.
“How the hell are you, cowboy?” When the woman threw her arms around Jace’s neck, Bree tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let go of her hand.
“Ayla,” he said, “have you met Bree Fox?”
The woman extended her hand. “I don’t think so, but you look familiar.”
“Bree’s sister is married to Tucker.”