Page 26 of Debt of My Soul

I think those were questions, but he says them so matter of fact, I’m unsure.

I nod. “Yes. I hired Adam to help me, and he’s been great. It’s getting close to finished.” I might be paying for it for the next four years, but at least it’s almost complete.

He grunts, and I narrow my eyes at him. This man is the total opposite of his wife in every way. Personality and appearance. Although I catch his brown eyes, and it’s in those I see Adam. See where he resembles his father.

“I’ll see you around.” He nods to Adam, then addresses me. “Nice to meet you, Fleur.” He steps around us and continues on, hulking form taking up the entire garden pathway.

Adam lets out another sigh. As if he’s glad the encounter is over with and they can go back to ignoring each other. “How about some food?”

My plate is piled high with catfish, pulled pork and every type of salad there is on these tables. I also grabbed three fruit kabobs full of red, white, and blue patterned fruit, which I admired, and then subsequently was annoyed I didn’t think about doing something like that. My sloppy fruit bowl will have to do. Honestly, I think I’m the only one who touched it.

The food is delicious. We sit with a few guys Adam knows from different contracting jobs, and I meet their wives, who all seem excited about the renovation of the farmhouse and have asked if they can stop by for a tour.

Midway through our meal, a tingling sensation on the nape of my neck causes me to shiver and I glance up to see …him.

Talking to Mr. Northgate, the man chuckles, and I shiver, really hoping it was the cross breeze through the tent. But his eyes jump around the tent until they land on me like he was alerted, too.

Great. Caught staring.

The man’s glance moves to Adam and then back to me before he finishes his conversation and starts to move in this direction.

Goodness. Why is he even here? I run reconnaissance through the tent and surrounding areas—I wonder how many of Darrin’s men are here. How many are part of the town? He’s halfway to the table before I decide I need more fruit, and I jolt up, effectively knocking my knees against the table and sending Adam’s beer tumbling to the ground.

“I’m so sorry. I’ll get you a new one.” I reach for the bottle and Adam’s fingers meet mine.

He notices my shaking hands and his brows furrow at my face. “Fleur, what’s wrong?”

“Adam.”

My eyes flutter closed at his firm tone. A mix of sensual grit and terrifying dread.

Adam jumps to stand, meeting the man chest to chest. His dark wash jeans hug him tightly, and his navy-blue shirt is the most color I’ve seen on him.

“Going to introduce me to your … friend?” He sneers at the last word and my knees shake. This is ridiculous.

Adam’s mouth suddenly doesn’t work because he swallows several times, eyes almost pleading with the man.

“I’m Fleur.” I cross my arms in front of my chest to avoid extending a hand in greeting.

The man’s mouth twitches, and he looks at Adam, who says, “Fleur, this is Liam. My brother.”

Wait …

His brother? I stare, slack-jawed at this large burly man, but then I see it. His mother’s hazel eyes and his father’s blond hair with an imposing form. Theyarebrothers.

I blink. Then blink again. Adam tilts his head back like he has found something on the top of the tent’s ceiling.

“You have barbeque on your face,” Liam says to me, and my eyes widen. I duck my head down, embarrassingly wiping at my mouth with my hand. When I glance back up, Liam has sauntered off to the food table, and I turn, gaping at Adam.

“Thatis your brother? I thought he was?—”

“Please don’t. It’s complicated.”

I slowly nod, my gaze flitting back to Liam, who catches me looking. He raises the spoon of something and makes an exaggerated point to dump three spoonfuls on his plate. I squint at the bowl and realize it’s my fruit salad.

Chapter 12

Fleur

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