Sawyer, Rita - Uncommonly Brazen [Brazen Sisters 4] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Rita Sawyer

  He took a small step back, dropping his arms to his sides. When Joey didn’t jump right into the car, he found himself wanting to smile. She put her bags in the car and turned back to him. He knew from that one look that he was part of whatever her problem was. He wanted to reach out to her. Just being able to put his hand on her shoulders and give them a gentle squeeze was a right he didn’t have. So he did nothing. She climbed into the car, but he couldn’t just let her drive away.

  Cameron grabbed onto the door before she could reach for it. “Hey, whatever’s going on…if you need something, anything, just call me.”

  “Okay.” She nodded, and he noticed her shoulders seemed to droop a little.

  He hoped it was in relief because of his offer to be there for her and not because he wasn’t making her tell him what was going on. “Drive carefully.”

  He closed the door and stepped back. Joey started the car, backed out of the parking spot and drove to the exit. Cameron waited right where he was, hoping she’d look back. She did, and something inside him lurched in response. He wanted to get in his car and follow her just to make sure she was okay, but he knew she’d probably freak out and maybe even quit. Worse, she might call the sheriff, whom he’d recently learned was a good family friend, and have him arrested for stalking her.

  For now, he’d just have to wait until tomorrow to find out what was wrong. He went about town running a few errands. Every place he went, people pretended not to be looking at him, but every once in a while, he’d catch someone staring. From the smiles some of the younger women gave him, he figured they could have just been interested in catching his eye, but he quickly looked away from them. He wished he could just go home to Mrs. Whiskers, but he had some errands to run in town first.

  Chapter Five

  Cameron didn’t think it was funny anymore. Sure, when people had stared at the two of them, that had been different. Having her squirm under people’s watchful gazes was one thing. He wasn’t going to squirm, but he wasn’t going to pretend he liked it, either.

  He managed to turn his frown into a smile when two old ladies he’d never seen before had stuck up strange conversations with him in the grocery store. He’d barely held his tongue while the girl who rang his order up remarked about everything he bought. When he stopped in the post office to check his P.O. box, the guy working behind the counter glared at him, and Cameron almost asked him if he had a problem. The only thing that held him back was the lady standing at the counter labeling a package and her three little kids running around like wild animals.

  Why was it kids were either well-behaved or little monsters? He liked kids. Hell, he even wanted to have a couple of his own at some point. He was just waiting or the right woman to come along and be their mother. It wasn’t a role he was willing to give to just anyone. She needed to be special.

  Cam’s stomach growled, interrupting his thoughts, which wasn’t surprising since he’d skipped breakfast and lunch. His mind had been on getting back as fast as possible, which didn’t leave time for stopping for food. Now he had two choices. He could either go home and cook himself something to eat, or he could grab a bite at the diner in town.

  Laziness won out, and he steered his truck toward the center of town. He pulled into the lot, relieved that it was almost empty. Still, when he hopped out a few people passing by looked his way. For a second or two, he considered climbing back into the truck and going home as fast as it could get him there. Instead, he ignored the cowardly thoughts and marched straight ahead.

  As he walked through the door, the first thing he saw was an older woman wearing a pastel pink uniform with a white apron tied around her waist. She was wiping down the counter, but her gaze was on him. He had the strangest feeling he’d seen her somewhere before.

  She flashed him a smile and waved her hand in front of her. “Sit yourself down anywhere you please. Can I get you some coffee?”

  “That would be great.” Cameron walked over and took a seat in one of the corner booths farthest away from the rest of the patrons.

  “Be right there,” the waitress said before disappearing into the kitchen.

  Cameron lifted the menu leaned back against the seat and hid behind it. He hoped he would be to avoid making eye contact with anyone. Just as he started to relax for the first time all day, he heard some giggling. The urge to look and see if the laugher was looking at him was there, but instead Cameron kept his nose stuck in the menu.

  The waitress set a cup down on his table. Before she poured the coffee, she turned to the other waitresses and said, “Donna, your order is up. And, Stacey, I’m sure Travis can use your help in the kitchen.”

  Cameron lowered the menu in time to see two young women rushing into the kitchen. The waitress followed his gaze and said, “Don’t mind them. They’re harmless.”

  “Yeah, it’s this one you need to keep your eye on.” Alec seemed to appear out of nowhere.

  “You scoundrel.” The waitress laughed as Alec pressed a kiss to her cheek. “The girls were just enjoying a little eye candy.”

  “Now look what you did, Mildred. You made him blush.” Alec wasn’t lying, either.

  He felt the heat bloom across his cheeks.

  “I’ll just give you boys a few minutes to decide what you want.” She chuckled as she walked away.

  “What are you doing here?” Cam lifted the mug and took a sip of the coffee.

  “I’m here to make sure you’re still in one piece.” The playful tone left Alec’s voice, and he wasn’t smiling anymore.

  Cameron raised his eyebrows as he lowered his cup. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “See, that’s where things get fuzzy.” Alec rubbed his chin along the back of his hand. “Oliver called to tell me he saw you and Joey cozying up in front of her office. I laughed that off because I warned you not to get involved with her other than business.”

  Cameron didn’t deny he may have taken steps beyond the business line. Besides, he could tell by the way Alec was drumming his fingers on the table he wasn’t done.

  “But then I got a few more calls from people asking just how good I knew you.” Alec stopped talking as Mildred approached.

  She poured Alec a cup of coffee and topped Cameron’s off. She chatted with Alec about his cousins for a few minutes, which gave Cam plenty of time to sweat. Cameron hated that people were speculating about him. Finally, she took their orders and left.

  She hadn’t gotten more than two feet away when he broke. “What did you tell them?”

  “Oh, don’t worry. I kept your secret for now.” Alec wasn’t one for lying, but omitting bits of the truth was another story. “I stuck to the story that you’re a friend of mine and Joey is helping you with some business matters while you’re here.”

  “Thanks.” Cam’s heartbeat slowed back to its normal rate.

  Alec laughed and gave a slight shake of his head. “I should tell you I had ulterior motives.”

  “Really?” That was a surprising bit of information. “What are they?”

  “Joey took you on as a personal favor to me.” Alec’s tone changed when he said the word personal.

  “How personal?” Cameron asked before he could stop himself.

  “Fuck.” Alec didn’t curse a lot in public, and Cameron found it hard not to laugh at the way he looked around to see if anyone had overheard him. “Look, being the new guy and keeping a low profile has peaked a few people’s interest, but making a play for Joey—hell, for any of the Brazen women—was like waving a red flag in front of the whole town. The guys around here are not going to take kindly to you swooping into town and trying to snag her out from under their noses.”

  “I didn’t make a play for her exactly. I stopped by her office once I got back into town, but she was rushing off. I couldn’t just let her drive off looking so upset.” He wasn’t making excuses, just explaining why things had gone public sooner than he planned.

  “She was upset?” Alec yanked his phone out of his pocket and s
tarted dialing.

  “Yes.” Cam wondered who he was calling. “I tried to find out why, but she wouldn’t tell me.”

  “Yeah, well, someone’s going to tell me.” Alec got to his feet and headed for the door.

  Cameron started to rise, intent on following him, but Mildred chose that moment to deliver their meals. He lowered himself back into his seat and forced a smile for her. Mildred looked out the window where Alec stood with his back to them and his cell phone pressed to his ear.

  Mildred sighed and shook her head. “Someone needs to strip that boy.”

  Cameron thought he felt his jaw drop, but he was so stunned he wasn’t sure. What the hell could he say to that? The woman was old enough to be their mother. He wondered if he should feel grossed out because he didn’t. Was he amused? Hell, yeah. Shocked? For sure, but she was a fine looking woman for her age, so grossed out never entered his mind.

  “Oh, boy, if you could see your face.” Mildred’s smile lit up her whole face. “I meant someone should take away his phone, but he probably has spares.”

  Cam cocked his head and squinted at her. “Why do I get the feeling you were trying to shock me?”

  “Just testing your metal. A man needs to be made of some pretty stern stuff if he is thinking about getting involved with Josephine.” She glanced back outside at Alec and tipped her head at him. “Ask him. He’ll tell you.”

  “Did I pass?” He had no idea why a total stranger’s opinion mattered so much.

  “Maybe. We’ll see for sure once you meet her sisters.” Mildred’s laughter filled the room as she sauntered back to the kitchen.

  Cameron wasn’t afraid of meeting her sisters. He was, however, concerned that he may be, however unintentionally, encroaching on Alec’s territory. Alec came through the door wearing a deep scowl, which wasn’t going to make what he was about to do any easier. He barely waited for him to sit down.

  “Are you interested in Joey?” From the way Alec’s head snapped up, he figured his question must have taken him off guard.

  “No. Dude that is so…” Alec shuddered. “She’s like a little sister. They all are.”

  That could explain a lot, but he still got the feeling there was something he wasn’t being told. Now wasn’t the time or place to try and drag it out of Alec. He didn’t want to do anything that would draw more attention to himself. And he didn’t want Alec to leave because having him there helped divert any females who glanced their way.

  Besides, right now there were more important issues at hand. “What did you find out?”

  “Frankie, one of Joey’s older sisters, had some kind of disagreement with the guy she’s been seeing.”

  “And?” Cam knew he’d gotten more than that.

  “And nothing.” Alec paused and leaned forward to sniff the steam coming from the slab of meat loaf on his plate. “The Brazen sisters always close ranks if one of them is in trouble.”

  “What kind of trouble?” He didn’t like the idea of Joey risking herself, not even for her sisters. “How bad is this guy?”

  “It’s under control. Jake Gurion, the sheriff, and Joey’s brothers-in-law are there. They’ll call if they need anything.”

  “That’s good enough for you?” It wasn’t for Cam, not by a long shot.

  “The guy works for her brother in-law Victor. He’s known him a long time, so if he’s not worried than I’m not going to.” Alec’s careless shrug ticked him off.

  “I am.” Cam stabbed the grilled chicken on his plate harder than he needed to since it was already dead.

  * * * *

  Joey stood there listening to her sister’s talk. How had this happened? She’d liked Hal. Heck, they all did. Of course, being a friend and employee of Victor and Trent’s may have helped him slip under their creep radar. Still, how he could be married and pull off playing the lovesick fool. Seriously, the man spent all his time working on the lodge or with Frankie. Never once would she have even thought there was a possibility that he was such a fucking loser.

  Frankie was an excellent judge of character, and he’d played her for a fool. And to have his wife show up and end his charade was like slapping her in the face with all his lies. Joey had hoped that since Jessie and Sam had managed to find good guys, they all would. Wishful thinking and five cents might get them a piece of gum.

  She closed her eyes and remembered the tender look on Cameron’s face when he told her he’d be there if she needed anything. Was he honestly being caring or was he playing her to keep her working for him? A few hours ago she would have thought his offer was heartfelt, but now she wasn’t so sure.

  Frankie stomped her way upstairs, leaving Joey, Georgie, and Bobbie standing there wondering what to do. Sam and Jessie had their hands full outside dealing with their husbands, a pissed off looking Jake, Hal, his wife, and Hal’s father, who was an older version of the low down, dirty snake. This wasn’t going to end neatly or quietly. Joey didn’t understand why Hal was there at all. Really, the gig was up, so why fight? He should just go away and let Frankie get on with things without rubbing her face in his deceptions.

  Okay, maybe, and it was a really big maybe, they were missing something. Victor and Trent would never willingly let any of them get mixed up with a married man. At least, she didn’t think so. Was it possible Frankie had misunderstood something? Probably not, but the only thing she could do was wait and see. Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of her twin sister, Georgie. She was headed her way, and from the frown pulling the corners of her mouth down, Joey could tell she wasn’t happy about this situation either. She stopped by her side and peeked out the window.

  Joey didn’t like the unusual cold silence between them. “Can you believe this?”

  “No.” Georgie gave a shake of her head. “I think there’s something more going on none of us know. Just like there’s something going on between you and your new client.”

  “Georgie, I told you” Georgie held up her hand, and Joey stopped mid-sentence.

  “Alec called a few minutes ago. Seems he’s in town with his friend, who mentioned you were a bit upset when he last saw you.” Joey couldn’t hold back her groan, which made Georgie smile. “Oh, it gets better. Before he called here, he called Jake. You know the second everything is under control here, Jake’s going to start digging.”

  “There’s no reason for him to do that.” Joey was going to kill them.

  First, she’d find Cameron and make sure his end came in a very public and painful display. As for Alec, his demise was going to be a little harder. She’d have to get past his cousins who would no doubt try to protect him. Maybe it would just be easier if she talked to Jake and explained the situation. She could assure him he could dig all he wanted but ask him not to go to her sisters with what he found. Yeah, and that won’t make it look like I’m trying to hide something.

  “If you tell him that, it’s just going to spur him on.” Georgie was right, and she hated it.

  There had to be a way to get Jake to drop it before he got started. Since Alec started this ball rolling, why not throw it back in his hands? Cameron was to blame, too, for running to him, and he better do his damndest to fix this.

  “I have to make a phone call.” Joey reached into her bag on the chair for her cell phone.

  Georgie grabbed onto her wrist. “Are you sure you want to fight this?”

  “How many times do I have to tell you there’s nothing to fight?” Georgie’s stare penetrated a few walls and saw more than Joey wanted her to, but nothing she wouldn’t have figured out in the long run.

  She let go of her arm. “Until you believe it yourself.”

  “I do.” Her lie sounded flat to her own ears.

  “No, you don’t, but I’ll let it go for now. Sooner or later, you’ll need a shoulder, and you know mine is always here.” Georgie walked away, leaving her to dwell on how to handle her now messy situation with Cameron.

  Not one to waste time, she dialed Cameron’s cell number and lis
tened to it ring. “Pick up, damn it!”

  “Joey, is everything all right?” The fact that he sounded a little frazzled didn’t make her want to take it easy on him.

  “No, it’s not.” Her snappish tone should have told him how pissed she was.

  Obviously, he didn’t catch it. “Tell me where you are and I’ll be right there.”

  “Oh, no, you won’t.” The words came out with an abrasiveness that both shocked her and made her feel little bit better.

  “You don’t want my help?” She chose to ignore his question.

  Instead, she countered with one of her own. “Are you still with Alec?”

  “Uh… yeah.” He hemmed before saying, “How did you know that?”

  “It doesn’t matter. What does is that you two have managed to cause more trouble than I think you realize. Well, Alec should have known.” She let out a deep sigh before forging on. “I suggest you two put your heads together and find a way to keep Jake from asking any questions that make my sisters think there’s anything going between us.”

  “But there is.” His claim may have been true for a really short period of time, but not any longer.

  “Yeah, business, and even that is tenuous at this point.” If he got her sisters wondering if they were anything more than business associates, she’d probably quit just to prove them wrong.

  “I’m pretty sure I made it clear I’d like more than that.” His tone was hushed like a whisper.

  “I guess you’ll just have to decide what’s more important. Me in your bed? Or me clearing up your financial disaster? You can’t have both, and if this doesn’t get straightened out damn quick, you won’t be getting either.” She couldn’t say it any plainer than that.

  “But” Joey didn’t even give him a chance to plead his case. She just ended the call.

  She dropped into the chair and tossed her cell phone on the coffee table. It instantly started vibrating across the polished wooden surface. She scooped it up shut it off and jammed it in her bag.