Page 10 of Tied to Trouble

Chapter 3

Az watched Mandy tothe door, torn between regret and satisfaction. He hadn’t wanted to spank her, but she’d pushed him into it.

Sighing, he started his truck and put it into gear. At least he could get her truck and bring it home for her. One of the fellows at the bar would help him.

His right hand throbbed and he wondered how her butt felt? It didn’t matter, not at this point. He was determined she would not waste herself on some lab jockey who couldn’t appreciate her. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, realizing he had another problem at the moment. The feel of her firm buttocks beneath his hand and her breasts bouncing against his thigh had created a powerful urge within him.

She was really getting to him.

Gritting his teeth in frustration, he backed out of the driveway. He couldn’t lie to himself; he’d secretly thought of Mandy as his wife many times through the years, but he always squashed the idea. Being her friend was easier to deal with. He didn’t have anything to offer her yet, he wasn’t through school, and he didn’t want to get involved until he was.

Once out of school, he’d be working with Sheriff Dorney and ranching with his brothers. Then they could get married and look for a place to build their own home on the Golden G, or maybe move to the city. Would Mandy be happy in Kansas City? Or even St Louis?

The last he’d heard, she wanted to take over her grandmother's store. Hell, when was the last time they had ever had a decent conversation together? All they seemed to do was argue when they saw each other, or fight because she was up to something he didn’t approve of.

That was his fault, though; he couldn’t help being protective because Mandy had a wild streak in her. She was also beautiful, and men were attracted to her. He’d made it plain to anyone who came near her that she was off limits. That wasn’t fair to her either, but again, he couldn’t help it.

His conscience nagged at him. Maybe the sheriff was right. Could he lose her if he didn’t act soon? She sure seemed ready to up her game with this ridiculous notion of giving away her virginity.

Maybe he’d been fooling himself all along because he was the one who wasn’t ready to claim her. He hadn’t been protecting Mandy just as a big brother, but because she washis.

He growled low in his throat and ran his hands through his hair. Maybe he did need to let her know before it was too late. Maybe they needed to start dating seriously this summer, and not just spending hang-out time here and there. He could handle that; he’d invite her to dinner tomorrow night.

But what if she refuses to come?

***

INSIDE THE HOUSE, SARAglanced up when Mandy ran past. Were those tears on her daughter’s face?

“Hey, honey...wait up,” she called softly as she wheeled her chair around and followed her towards the bedroom.

Mandy had already shut the bedroom door, so she maneuvered her wheelchair to the side and opened it. Inside, she could see her daughter, face down in the pillow, sobbing like her heart was breaking.

Concerned, she wheeled inside and over to the bed, reaching out to lay her hand on the shining curls. “What’s wrong, Sunshine?” She had always called Mandy her sunshine because her smile was like the sun coming out. It cheered and warmed her every time her daughter laughed. Especially after her husband died. Mandy had no idea how much she had leaned on her during that awful time.

“It’s just Az, being a first-class jerk,” she replied, sniffling and reaching for a Kleenex on the nightstand by her bed.

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