McKenzie Cousins Box Set 1

I’m so pissed that it takes everything in me to control my damn temper.

Gone visiting someone!

The heat in the truck should keep me warm, but I feel chilled to the bone with disappointment. I sure as hell hadn’t expected to find Emma had left to visit someone—whom her mom wouldn’t tell me.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think they were up to something, but that’s ridiculous. Emma’s mom is a homemaker who has appeared exasperated with her daughter on more than one occasion.

Plus, finding one of Emma’s men on my way back to my truck hasn’t helped with my temper. Just how many times has she been unfaithful to me? I need to not even think about that right now.

Deeply inhaling, I realize I’m not too far off the ranch and I still haven’t thought on what I’m going to tell Charlotte. I could tell her I’ve spoken to Emma, but then I’d be lying. She wouldn’t know it, but would probably find out. Besides, I’d know.

“Damn it to hell.” I slam my hand against the wheel and curse loudly.

Makes me wonder if Emma knows about Charlotte and is purposely avoiding me. Wouldn’t put it past her with the antics I’m discovering she often got up to. Even though I have Charlotte, deep down I know that I wouldn’t have been able to go ahead with the wedding. I couldn’t. I haven’t been happy in a very long time, and I certainly wouldn’t be with her.

Sometimes I wonder how things would have gone if there weren’t any indiscretions on Emma’s part. I certainly wouldn’t have spent the most amazing night of my life with Charlotte, if Emma hadn’t screwed up. Something tells me that Charlotte would have been on my mind, regardless.

Turning onto my drive, I slow the truck before I end up in a ditch. It’s been cleared, but with the fresh snow in the air, it’s going to need doing again before Christmas, otherwise my father won’t be able to get home.

Slowing to a stop as I see the large house, I feel a huge sigh of relief when I see Emma’s car parked up, but then, just as suddenly, I curse. Slamming the brakes, the truck skids a few feet before coming to a complete stop. Flipping my seat belt off, I run up the porch steps and into the house.

I’m gasping for breath as I take in the scene before me.

Emma with her blonde hair all over the place instead of groomed, has Charlotte backed into a corner.

Taking in the situation, I drop my jacket to the chair by the door, and make my way to get Charlotte away, only to find Emma flying into my arms, sobbing into my chest.

I pat her awkwardly, and look at Charlotte over Emma’s head. Her complexion is pale while she slowly moves away from the corner of the room. It’s now, when I get my brain functioning again, that it hits me, I have the wrong woman in my arms.

Emma refuses to let go of me, but, with some anger on my part, I manage to get myself free and push her gently down into one of the chairs. “Do not move,” I tell her when she goes to reach for me.

“I went into town to talk to you,” as I say those words I glance at Charlotte, who is propped up against the wall, but staring out through the kitchen window. As much as it kills me not going to Charlotte, I need to deal with Emma and get rid of her first.

“Emma, look at me.”

She shakes her head.

“You need to look at me.” I reach out and lift her face so she can see me. “I wanted to do this gently, but not only did I find you gone when I called at your house, but I found another man that you have apparently been fucking.”

Emma’s eyes widen. “That’s a lie.”

I shake my head. “I needed to talk to you because I’m breaking our engagement.” I sigh in relief. “I stayed with you for the wrong reasons. I’m sorry, Emma, but there isn’t going to be a wedding.”

I take a step away and glancing up, I notice Charlotte with tears in her eyes, which gives me cause for concern. It feels like I’m moving in slow motion as I move toward Charlotte, when whispered

words catch my attention…

“What about your baby?”

My momentum slows and comes to a stop with shock. “What baby?”

Charlotte stares behind me so I turn and see Emma standing with her hands on her hips and an ugly smirk on her face.

I start laughing.

Charlotte is shocked at my reaction. In fact, I’m shocked at my reaction, which suddenly pulls me back to my senses.

“You believe her?” I ask Charlotte who just stares at me. “I can’t believe you’d think I’d sleep with her after I’d been with you.” Even as the words leave my mouth, I know that they’re unfair, but I can’t stop them.