Page 9 of A Tiny House Christmas

“Savage,” he declared, pushing the butter dish her way. “Try it with butter.”

She ignored him and finished the toast.

He opened the fridge, waving a carton of eggs. “Want some?”

She shook her head, her nerves chasing away her hunger. “What chores are up first? I need to earn my keep.”

“You don’t.” His tone was soft, his gaze tender with something she didn’t like or appreciate.

“Joe McCall doesn’t do pity and right now…”

She blinked back the dampness in her eyes and marched to the front door, determined to stay moving so she could stay ahead of her thoughts and feelings about running away from marriage, and how Joey hadn’t given her a single look of heatsince. At the door she turned to see what Joey’s hold up was. He was standing where she’d left him.

“Amber left you some clothes,” he said gruffly, pointing toward his room.

He eyed her in his outfit and she could have sworn she saw a flicker of hunger in his gaze, a precious flit of possessiveness that made her entire being feel light as air.

“Amber Wylder?” She worked as an assistant in the town’s boutique, Blue Tumbleweed. How did she know Karlene needed clothes?

She groaned internally. Everyone knew. It was a small town. As well, April had been in the church and had no doubt seen her run.

But did everyone know she was hiding out with Joey? She didn’t even want to imagine what the rumors were saying about the two of them. Poor Thomas.

“She thought you might need something to wear.”

Karlene blinked away the wetness in her eyes over the woman’s thoughtfulness. And a few minutes later, she reemerged from Joey’s bedroom, properly outfitted in jeans, a sports bra and checkered shirt a lot like Joey’s as well as a thick jacket.

“How do I look?” She gave a spin, delighted that April had pegged her size correctly.

“Like a cowgirl.”

“That all you got, Joey McCall?”

“Yup.” But there was a hint of humor flashing in his brown eyes as he swiftly took her in. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he liked what he saw.

“Your dad called while you were brushing your hair earlier.”

She sighed. So much for staying ahead of her thoughts and feelings.

Joey met her at the door, wiping a thumb under one of her eyes.

“What did he say?”

“He was just checking in.” His thumb gently stroked her cheek as though following a smear of dust.

“Does he want me to come home?” she whispered, longing to lean into the heat of Joey’s body, the solid security of him.

“He didn’t say.”

“Are they still mad at me?”

“Didn’t say.”

Her parents had been elated Karlene was getting married, and especially to ranch royalty like the McNaughtons. They’d been counting on signing the research agreement with the McNaughtons after the wedding and getting the massive grant that would have gone with it. Now both were gone. Plus, they had a house full of relatives and likely were facing a lot of gossip and judgment.

At least Karlene’s phone was still in the church. She could only imagine the number of missed calls and texts that were piling up.

She inhaled deeply and spun, checking her surroundings for hints as to what was next. Anything but think about how her family was feeling about her and her actions right now.

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