Page 111 of The Rescuer

She was relieved when Reece’s truck wasn’t in her driveway. Her house would be her own for a while, giving her a chance to love on the animals and brace herself for facing Reece again. They had been living in a happy bubble for weeks, both succumbing to an illusion. Now that the illusion had been scoured away, how would she act around him? Would he sleep in the guest room? If he slept with her, would it be weird? Comforting? Heartbreaking?

Her phone chimed with a text—Reece saying he’d be back from errands soon, and would she please go with him to the Miners Tavern tonight? They could play it however she wanted. He was leaving that up to her.

Pearl whined at her.

“I have to go, don’t I?” The dog wiggled. “That’s what I thought.”Notgoing would bring more attention to an uncomfortable situation than simply getting it over with. Besides, this was about Hailey and Noah, and Neve wanted to celebrate with them. She’d known Noah as long as she’d known Reece, and she’d never seen him happier.

“See, Pearl? It does happen for some of us.” She sent Reece a reply and took a shower, finally letting the dam of tears burst.

“What do you wantto tell people?” Reece asked as he parked his truck behind the bar.

She raked her fingertips through her hair. “Do we have to tell them anything?”

“They’re going to expect us to be together. We can keep going the way we’ve been, or we can tell them we’re about to undo something we never meant to do and act like we’re only friends. It’s up to you.”

She shifted in her seat so she partly faced him. “I appreciate you letting me make the call, but I haven’t heard whatyouwant to do.”

He reached out and fingered a lock of her hair. Shelovedit when he toyed with her hair. One side of his mouth quirked. “I want to turn around and drive home, rip off your clothes, and lay you out on the bed. Either bed. Couch is fine too. Or the floor.” He shrugged. “I kinda like the kitchen counter too. Your desk. Your bedroom wall. The shower.”

A laugh burst from her, the tension that had coiled tighter and tighter inside her throughout the day letting loose like a snapped spring.

He waggled his eyebrows. “I get the feeling you like that idea.”

“I do. I like it very much. But I think your brothers and sisters-in-law will be disappointed if we skip the party.”

Giving her hair a light tug to pull her closer, he leaned in and nibbled her bottom lip. “All right,” he murmured against her mouth. “We’ll put a pin in that awesome idea and revisit it later.”

“You’re on,” she breathed.

They walked in through the back door, Reece’s fingers at the small of her back, gently propelling her forward into a loud burble of happy people. Any hope she had of slipping in unnoticed was shattered the moment someone yelled, “They’re here!”

All eyes turned toward them. Cheers rang out, and fists pumped the air. Someone yelled, “They finally got together!”

Neve’s cheeks blazed so hot they practically caught fire.

Dixie, standing by the front entrance, parted the crowd and scurried toward them, a smile splitting her face from ear to ear. She grabbed Neve’sface and held her at arm’s length. “I’m so glad y’all finally decided to come out of your broom closets and admit the good news. It’s about time.” She placed an enthusiastic kiss on each of Neve’s flaming cheeks.

Dixie turned to Reece, reaching for his face, but he grasped her hands in his own before she could get a hold of him. He dropped his voice so low Neve could barely hear. “We’re not out of anything, Dix. There isn’t any good news to spread around, so may be best not to talk about it for now, yeah?”

The poor woman’s face fell, and she picked up Neve’s left hand, then Reece’s. “Where are your rings?” she gasped.

Reece cocked an eyebrow, and Neve clearly read his expression. It broadcast something like, “No reason for rings if there’s no real marriage.”

Apparently, Dixie read it too because she dropped their hands and parked her fists on her hips. Deep creases appeared between her furrowed brows and around her orange-lipsticked mouth. “My land, sometimes I swear y’all can’t get out of your own stubborn ways. Of all the people whoshouldbe together, it’s you two.” She looked Reece up and down, and he might have withered a little under her stern glare. “Why’d you go and get hitched if you don’t intend toacthitched?” Without waiting for an answer, she spun on her heel and, shaking her head, parted the crowd once more on her way back to check on guests.

Neve glanced up at Reece. “Well, that went well.”

He snorted and guided her toward the bar, where Noah and Hailey greeted them. Noah, a broad grin on his handsome face, kissed her cheek. “Glad you came, sis.”

Ever-intuitive, Hailey’s happy expression switched to one of concern, and she pulled Neve in for a hug, whispering, “How did it go with the attorney?” Neve shook her head against her friend’s shoulder. Hailey hugged her harder. “I’m so sorry. Talk later?”

Neve squeaked out a yes, and Hailey released her. Neve swallowed. “Where are Charlie and Joy?”

“Upstairs, inspecting the apartment.” Hailey looked over her shoulders. “Is Reece planning to move back in before he leaves?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Good. Noah really wants Charlie to get started on that space right away, but if you guys need, you know, some separation ...”

---