by Peyton Banks
She smiled one last time at Carson before walking away.
“Looks like someone has her eye on you,” Jonah remarked, peeking over the menu at Carson.
Carson glanced down at his own. “Whatever. Your eyes need to be checked.”
Wade shook his head and turned back to view the specials.
They struck up a conversation with their father about the ranch, from the amount of new calves born, to a new fertilizer Wade wanted to order and try out.
“So, what all did you get at the auction?” Jonah sat back and asked.
“I got a new tractor for a decent price. Carson’s been tinkering with it, and should have it up and running soon.” Wade took a sip of his beer then set it back down. He had been able to get the one he had been eyeing for a good price.
“It’s a beauty. I gave it a full tune-up and got it purring like a kitten,” Carson declared. “We can start using it now.”
“Your drinks,” Faith announced. She stood near the table and placed their tall frosted mugs filled with beer down. “Appetizers should be up in a minute. Can I take your order now?”
Wade glanced around, and his father and Carson nodded. Faith left again after taking their orders. Wade watched his brother’s head swivel in the direction Faith had disappeared in.
“I think Pa’s eyes are just fine,” Wade teased.
Carson’s head flew back to them. A sheepish expression came over him. He leaned back in and laughed.
“Okay, maybe I’m interested.” Carson shrugged, reaching for his beer.
“I knew what I was talking about,” Jonah bragged.
Wade smiled at his brother and father. Hopefully, this outing would help Jonah feel as close to normal as possible.
Even if he was a pain in the ass most of the time.
Jonah laughed along with Carson and sipped his beer, looking the most relaxed Wade had seen him in a while.
Hell, he couldn’t even remember the last time he and his brothers just sat around drinking with the old man. He was going to bask in the light atmosphere and pretend for a moment that everything with the family was fine.
Faith returned with their appetizers, and they immediately dug in. Jokes and great conversation went around the table. Wade was shocked that he was enjoying himself with his father and brother.
A party not too far from them broke out in a fit of laughter. Wade casually glanced over in that direction, his gaze landing on a familiar family having a great time.
The Whitakers.
Joy and her family were all smiles as they ate their dinner. Wade couldn’t take his eyes off her. Memories of their night together surfaced.
He could still taste her on his tongue.
The sounds of her whimpers and cries of passion echoed in his head.
“Who you staring at, boy?” Jonah’s voice broke through Wade’s thoughts.
He turned around and found his father’s eyes set on him.
“Oh, nothing. I see our neighbors, the Whitakers, are over there enjoying supper.”
Jonah rotated slightly in his chair, then rotated back. “Hmph.”
Wade reached for his mug and took another sip. He watched Joy get up from the table and head off toward the ladies’ room.
“How about a drink from the bar? My treat,” Wade offered.
“Whiskey,” Jonah and Carson answered simultaneously.
“Like father, like son,” Carson snickered.
“Coming up.” Wade pushed back from the table and made his way through the busy restaurant, heading over to the bar. He placed his order and leaned back against the counter. The bartenders were swamped, but Wade was in no hurry.
He had the perfect spot to see Joy when she exited.
His heart raced as he waited for her.
A few minutes later, she emerged from the restroom.
Apparently, she didn’t see him standing there.
“Joy,” he called out.
She jumped and spun around to him. Her eyes widened, and a small smile appeared on her lips.
Joy came to stand by him. “What are you doing here?”
He couldn’t help but stare at her. She was beautiful, dressed in a shirt, tight jeans, and sandals.
“Carson and I got the old man out of the house, and figured we’d take him out to dinner. You?”
She glanced over at Jonah and Carson before facing him. “How is your father doing? They said he almost died.”
“Yeah, it would take more than a heart attack to kill that son of a bitch,” he muttered.
She leaned close to him.
“Aren’t you the dutiful son, bringing Dad out for dinner.” Her cheeky grin widened as she nudged him.
He loved her flirtatious nature. Where had this been all these years? If he had known the attraction was mutual between them, he would have acted on it years ago.
Wade had to admit, seeing her all riled up and fighting with her was a nice form of foreplay. If the sex continued to be as explosive, he would have to think of something to piss her off.
“Well, it was either dinner at a restaurant, or push him out in the woods and let nature take its course,” he joked.
“You wouldn’t!” She shoved him slightly in a playful manner.
“Here’s your drinks, sir. Three whiskey straights.” The bartender placed the three glasses on the counter.
“Thanks, man.” Wade turned and tossed a few bills onto the counter.
The guy scooped up the bills and gave him a salute then scurried off to help a few other customers.
Wade picked up a glass and offered it to Joy. “Have a drink with me.”
Joy bit her lip and looked over at her family. Wade followed her gaze and noticed her mother was watching at them. Wade nodded to Mrs. Whitaker before returning his attention to Joy.
“What the hell,” she muttered, snatching the glass from him.
“Attagirl.” Wade picked up one and signaled to the bartender for another.
“Here you are,” Carson announced, his grin wide. He slapped Wade on the shoulder. “Joy Whitaker. How the hell are you?”
“I’m good, Carson. How about yourself?” Joy asked.
Carson twisted toward Wade with his eyebrows raised. “I’m doing wonderful.”
Wade already knew there was going to be an interrogation later.
“Pop sent me to find out what was taking so long.”
Joy’s smile faltered, and Wade bit back a curse. They hadn’t really spoken about what this was between them, or if they were going to go public with it. Wade wanted to explore this and see where it ended up. He was getting up in age, and playing the field wasn’t as fun as it was when he was in his early twenties. He was now thirty, and had to admit that his father was right about one thing.
It was time to settle down.
“Another whiskey.” The barkeep stopped back and dropped off the glass.
“Thanks.” Wade slid another bill across the counter and motioned for Carson to take the glasses, nodding toward their table.
Carson got the message loud and clear. He winked at Wade and snatched them up.
“See ya later, Joy.” Carson nodded to Joy and headed back to the table.
Wade sighed. “Don’t mind Carson. I think he took too many hits to the head when he played football.”
“I have a brother too, so I know how they are.”
They held up their glasses and clinked them together.
“New beginnings,” Wade said softly.
Joy tilted her head to the side and stared at him. “New beginnings.”
Wade knocked back his drink and ignored the burn of the amber liquid. He had eyes only for Joy. The smooth span of her neck brought back memories of his lips trailing kisses along it. He had a flashback of his face pressed into the crook of her neck when he’d been over her, thrusting deep inside her.
Joy’s name being called broke through his carnal thoughts.
One night of Joy wouldn’t be enough.
She turned a
t the sound and placed her glass back on the counter.
“I gotta go,” she said, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
“I’ll call you later, once I get Pa home and settled,” he promised. He didn’t want to let her go, but he had to.
“You better.” She spun around, walking away from him.
Wade’s gaze dropped down to her ample ass, and he was unashamed to be looking it over.
Damn, she has a sexy bottom.
He pushed off the bar and headed back to his table. His mind was made up.
Joy Whitaker would be his.
13
Joy walked back to her family, her heart beating erratically. Wade had her stomach in knots. It had taken everything in her not to lean in and kiss him. She just wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her.
A warmness washed over her.
How could a man be that damn sexy?
Just seeing him brought back every memory of his hands, lips, and tongue on her. Her cheeks grew hot with the personal knowledge of what Wade Brooks was known for.
Maybe it was the whiskey.
Taking shots hadn’t been the plan, but one look at her mother staring at her had Joy tossing caution in the wind.
She blinked a few times, trying to concentrate on walking.
Damn alcohol. Thank goodness she rode with her family.
She arrived back at the table and ignored the stares. Her parents, sister, and brother enjoyed their dinner that had come while she’d stepped away. They had already demolished the appetizers.
“Having a drink with the enemy, eh?” her father chuckled.
“What did Wade want?” Junior asked. His gaze zeroed in on her with his glass paused in midair.
“Just a friendly neighbor drink.” She shrugged and tried to act nonchalant.
“You sure about that?” Georgy asked, raising her eyebrows. Her mother was not going to get off her back until she came clean to her father about her relationship with Wade.
Joy grew uncomfortable as everyone turned to her.
“I wouldn’t mind a little attention from Wade Brooks,” Lexi snorted.
Her sister had arrived an hour before they had left for dinner. Her younger sister would be late to her own funeral, not having any concept of time. Lexi was a shade lighter than Joy, but they were always confused as twins. Her hair was dark and long, falling past her shoulders.
“Lexi Whitaker!” her mother gasped.
“What?” Lexi’s eyes grew wide. “Well, they may be the enemy, but the Brooks brothers are hot.”
Joy rolled her eyes at her sister. Lexi always spoke her mind, and her family never said anything. If it were Joy who came straight out and said something like that, it would have been a different thing.
Her family struck up a conversation, while Joy began digging into her lamb chops. She relaxed slightly as her family appeared to return to normal.
Joy tried not to stare over at Wade’s table, but she couldn’t help it. He sat with Carson and his father. Jonah Brooks looked as if he’d aged a little. The entire town had heard of him getting sick and being hospitalized.
Living in a small town, everyone knew everything about everyone. It was a gift and a curse. No secret was safe in Shady Springs.
Joy would never wish anything bad on anyone, but she hoped he was a changed man. She noticed Parker was missing. The rumor around town was that he was engaged to Maddy King. Turned out her child was Parker’s, and now they were getting married and expecting again.
Joy remembered Maddy from when they were in high school. Maddy had been a year behind Joy. Maddy had been a quiet, good girl. Her father had been known as the town drunk, and Joy recalled feeling sorry for her.
Her siblings’ laughter broke through her thoughts.
“So, tell us, Lexi. What’s new with your job?” Junior probed.
“I’m so glad you asked,” Lexi replied. She reached for her drink and took a sip. Her grin widened as she bounced in her seat. “One of the reasons I came home was to share that I was just promoted.”
“That’s awesome,” Joy gushed.
Cheers went around the table. Joy was extremely happy for her sister. It couldn’t have happened to a better person.
“Baby, I knew you would go far,” their father announced.
Georgy hugged Lexi with tears spilling down her cheeks. Their mother was an emotional wreck when it came to her children’s success.
“Tell us. What are you going to be doing now?” Georgy asked.
It was no surprise that Lexi was moving up in her company. She was brilliant, and had graduated at the top of her class in college. She was a social media marketing genius who had designed ads similar to the television ads, but for the internet.
Lexi had worked hard from the moment she’d gotten the position at the firm. Joy knew of the long hours her sister had put in to make a name for herself. She was a Whitaker, so it was a given that she was a hard worker.
“I’m the new project manager, and now have a small team of four people working under me. Due to the boom in online advertising, I’m charged with expanding the department.”
“I’m so proud of you kids.” Senior wrapped an arm around Georgy and brought her in close. “We did good, Momma. Our ranch is prospering due to the diligence of this family. Joy and Junior have helped push it to what it is today. Our baby girl has a fancy job in the city. What else could we ask for?”
Tears teetered on the edge of Joy’s eyelids. She took her glass and raised it in the air. Her family did the same, clinking them together.
“Now, all we need is to get our land back from the Brooks,” Junior said.
Joy paused with her glass on her lips. She didn’t know what to say. There just couldn’t be one night where there wasn’t talk of the Brooks family. Joy fought back rolling her eyes. She was so tired of it.
Why couldn’t her brother and father just move on?
Could they really hate Jonah and his family forever?
“Hear, hear.” Senior raised his glass again before finishing off his beer.
Joy ignored her mother’s gaze. She faked a cough and took a sip of her Coke. She put on a smile and sighed.
“Good evening, Whitakers.”
Joy glanced up and froze. Jonah had the nerve to be standing at their table. His breaths were coming a little fast, but he stood tall with his sons behind him.
“Jonah, Wade, Carson,” Senior greeted them.
The brothers murmured their greeting and nodded to everyone at the table.
Joy’s eyes were wide in shock. What did Jonah want?
“I hope y’all are enjoying your meal tonight. I don’t want to take up much of your time. I just wanted to come be neighborly and say hello.”
The entire table fell silent.
This was a first.
Usually, Jonah snarled and cursed whenever spoken to.
Her parents shared a look before turning back to Jonah.
“Well, that is mighty nice of you, Jonah. How have you been doing? Heard you had some heart issues,” her father said.
“Yeah, it would take more than a heart attack to take me out.” Jonah unconsciously rubbed his chest. “But I’m doing much better now.”
Joy’s attention moved to Wade. His eyes were locked on hers. He broke the stare and casually pulled his phone from his pocket. She quickly studied his soft cotton shirt and the way it molded to his hardened physique.
Her breath caught in her throat remembering the feel of his chest, and the soft curls of hair underneath her fingers. Her core clenched, thinking of what they had done to each other.
Her back pocket vibrated.
“Well, I need to head home. I may have overdone it tonight. Being in the house all the time was making me stir crazy, and dinner was just what I needed.” Jonah tipped his head to them and waved as he walked off.
“Goodnight,” she murmured along with her family. Joy smiled softly at the Brooks men. She didn’t miss the wink Wade threw her.
&nb
sp; Her heart stuttered as she watched him stride away. His gentle nature and how he stayed back to ensure his father made it through the restaurant wasn’t lost on her.
Jesus, the man just kept getting sexier.
Her eyes were glued to him until she could no longer see him.
A firm kick landed on her shin. Joy jumped, and found Lexi staring at her with a raised eyebrow.
“Girl,” Lexi mouthed, a devilish grin on her lips.
Joy groaned internally and shook her head. She knew she was going to have some explaining to do when she got home.
Her parents and brother were too busy chatting about the recent encounter.
“Maybe being in the coma did something to him,” Georgy muttered.
“Well, they say near-death experiences can change a man,” Senior replied.
“Maybe he got a little taste of Hell and got a new look on life.” Junior huffed.
Joy’s gaze flew to her brother. He was never one to bite his tongue. Whatever he thought, it came out. His hatred toward the Brooks family was evident.
“Junior!” Georgy gasped. She clutched her chest and narrowed her eyes on him. “I don’t ever want to hear you talk like that. He may be a nasty old man, but we will not wish Hell on anyone. We are not to judge.”
Junior rolled his eyes. “You have to admit, something is up. That man doesn’t know how to be neighborly or cordial,” he remarked.
“The boy has a point,” their father chuckled.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I want to go meet some friends later,” Lexi announced, changing the subject. “I need a ride. Can you drop me off over Karin’s house?”
“Sure.” Joy nodded and pulled her phone out. She couldn’t wait any longer to see the messages waiting on her.
Swiping the screen, she saw a new text from Wade.
Hey, sexy lady. How about I pick you up instead?
She bit her lip to keep from giggling like a schoolgirl.
My sister needs me to take her somewhere. How about I meet you?
“You girls have fun,” Georgy called out behind Joy and Lexi.
Joy bit her lip and prayed her mother didn’t come out onto the porch. The door banged shut. Her prayer was not answered.
