Page 81 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

Immediately George said, “What’s he doing here?”

Garrett shifted his gaze to find Blake Charles, walking into the ballroom with another man. “Are you upset with Blake?” he asked her. He knew he was her Realtor too and Taylor’s friend.

“It’s not Blake she’s upset about. That guy next to him is Johnny Dupree,” Julie said.

“He’s here to see me,” she said, her voice diminished. Pain etched her face and she closed her eyes.

“I’ll go have a talk with him,” George said.

“No, Dad. Don’t. I’ll be fine.”

“Why did he have to come here and upset you?” Bess asked. “That young man should learn some manners.”

Garrett’s teeth clenched. He hated seeing Nicole troubled. Which she clearly was. Did the man still have a hold on her?

“Mom, it’s okay. I’ll deal with him.” She gave her mother and father a bold look. “It’s time I did. Truth is, I’ve been ignoring his texts and his phone messages. So, if he wants to speak to me, I can handle it.”

“You sure?” Garrett asked.

He didn’t want to butt in, but he suddenly felt protective of her. Okay, maybe not so suddenly. Maybe this had been coming on a long time.

“I’m sure.” She smiled at him, although it was shaky and that just tugged at his heart even more.

“Looks like he’s coming over here.” Julie’s voice held a helpless note.

Garrett eyed the guy walking toward the table in a confidant stride. Johnny kept his focus on Nicole the whole time, zeroing in on her. “Hello, folks. George, Bess,” he said glancing over them in one sweep.

Everyone gave him a hard stare.

Johnny ignored their reaction and looked straight at Nicole. “Hi, Nic. I’d like to speak to you for a few minutes. Please. You look beautiful, by the way.”

Garrett had seen about enough. He lifted from the table and turned to face him, towering over the guy by several inches. Nicole put her hand on his arm and Garrett gazed down at her.

“I’ve got this, Garrett.” There was a plea in her eyes that he couldn’t refuse. She needed to do this on her own.

Nicole rose from the table like the Queen of England, and Johnny pulled out her chair. The gesture had Garrett grinding his teeth.

“I’ll be back in a little while.” She gave her parents a reassuring smile. Bess appeared worried and George wasn’t all too happy either.

She walked past Johnny without a word and headed outside of the ballroom. He followed behind her, trying to keep up. The table fell silent, all apparently stewing in various degrees of anger.

Finally, Bess said, “The nerve of that guy.”

“Don’t worry, our Nic will set him straight,” George added.

Garrett wasn’t thrilled that Johnny showed up to ruin Nicole’s evening. But at least, she could finally have it out with him. Once and for all. She hadn’t laid eyes on the guy since he’d left her at the altar. Now, she would have the closure she needed to move on.

“I hope she doesn’t go back to that guy,” Julie said.

“She won’t,” Taylor said firmly. “She’s smarter than that.”

Garrett certainly hoped so. Nicole deserved much better than him. She deserved to be loved wholeheartedly. By a guy who appreciated her.

The demons in his head returned and whispered,“That’s not you. You’re going to hurt her too.”

And this time, Garrett couldn’t shake those little devils off.

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