Page 72 of Mustang Summer

“I don’t want you involved in this.Just stay out of the garage for a few days.The books can wait.”

Always protecting her.Bill was still her dad and he was trying his best for her; his core wasn’t rotten.But his best sucked and he resorted to deplorable methods.Her anger flared.

What was he up to?If he planned to steal the Shelby, he wouldn’t tell her.She’d have to wait and see.If Gage was really out of town, then maybe she’d pull Bill aside for a brutally honest discussion.If she asked about Gage then Bill would get the wrong idea about her interest in her ex, or he’d lie like he always did.

In the meantime, she could finish her website and Travis’s logo and gather some more projects.Build herself a means to get out of Waite Park and out from under Bill’s bad decisions.

“Okay, Bill.Let me know when you’re ready for me.”

Brock hungout in Travis’s yard while the rest of his family mingled.The wind had died through the evening but still rustled leaves in the trees that shaded the lawn.Groups of his relatives were scattered inside the house and out.He never worked the crowd.If one of his cousins, aunts, or uncles wanted to talk to him, they’d find him.

He studied the plush grass and mentally calculated the last time he serviced Travis’s truck.Last month.He swung his gaze across the yard to the large silver Quonset that housed one of their combines.Yep.That one was up-to-date, too.

Scuffing his boot into the grass, he let out a slow exhale.

“You look like I kicked your dog.”Cash held up a beer and Brock’s gaze landed on it and drifted away.Cash wiggled the bottle.“Want a cold one?”

“No, thanks.”He caught himself before he said he didn’t have a dog.Cash knew that, he must’ve meant something else.

“What’s wrong?”

Brock rubbed the back of his neck, adjusted his hat, then settled with his hands on his hips.“Josie went home today.”

“And you miss her.”

Brock nodded.

Cash’s gaze burned into him.Laughter carried across the yard and Travis’s younger brother waved at them.

Brock lifted a hand and dropped it.

“Hey, can you come with me and take a look at the fencing around the barn?”

“Is something wrong?”Brock often helped fix fences, but this was Travis’s property.Why would Cash ask him?

“Maybe, let’s just head down there.”

They wandered down the gravel path that led around the barn to the fenced in pasture.

“About Josie…” Cash hesitated.They reached the gate to the pasture, but Cash didn’t point out any fencing problems.

Brock’s jaw clenched.“I know you don’t like her.”

“I’m not saying I hate her, I just don’t trust her.”Cash took a swig of his beer.

“You don’t have to trust her or like her,” Brock responded, “but you have to respect her.”

“You two are official?Have you met her parents?Seen her place?How do you know she doesn’t have someone stashed away in Waite Park?”

“Yes, we’re official.Her mom passed away and it’s just her dad and her brother.I haven’t seen her place, just her car.She might have someone stashed away, but I trust her.”

Cash stared at him, his expression hard.“You and women don’t have a good track record.”

“Not because they haven’t been trustworthy.”At least that issue had never been his problem.

“And you’re confident that when you freak because she used your pickup and turned the radio station and moved the seat forward and, hell, left fast food wrappers on the floorboards, that she’ll be okay with it?Because I’m telling you, I love you like a brother, but I want to deck you sometimes.”

“You tossed the bag behind the seat and I didn’t see it.The half-eaten hamburger inside started to stink—”

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