Page 29 of Sheltering Lawson
Had I made a mistake? Should I have stayed and fought no matter the cost?
A soft sob caught in my throat, tears collecting behind my closed lids. I beat back the despair because it wouldn’t get me anywhere. Facing the situation dead on was something I had refused to do. Before I did anything, I needed to get my head screwed on tight.
The rap on the window forced my head up and my eyes snapped open, the leftover moisture from my tears catching on my lashes. My heart pounded, but then settled down when I realized it was Ethan. Dashing at my tears, I rolled the window down.
“Sugar? You okay?”
“My car won’t start.”
He pulled the door open and hauled me right into his arms. “It’s all right,” he murmured, and after everything I was thinking, it was just too much. I wrapped my arms around his neck. My heart fighting against falling for him, but it just might be a losing battle. “There’s no need to be upset or scared, sugar. I got you covered. I can fix your car with my bare hands.”
“Can you leap tall buildings in a single bound, too?”
“I might need a running start, but yeah, I can.”
I laughed, my face pressed against that beautifully, hard-packed muscled chest. I lifted my head and looked up into his face.
His blue-green eyes pierced me to my soul, the genuine concern on his face and the sincerity in his tone melted my bones. There was no artifice here, no terrible guy lurking beneath a drop-dead gorgeous façade. This was Ethan, pure and simple.
“You don’t have to be scared here, Lawson. You’re with friends. We won’t let you down.”
The lump in my throat got larger and harder to swallow, but I held onto my emotions. “Thank you,” I said, squeezing him before stepping back. “Problem right now is I have to get to Lafayette. Braxton wants me to speak to his wife about her accounting.”
He nodded and said, “Got you covered. I’ll drive you.” He pulled out his cell phone and made a call. “Rory, it’s Ethan. I need a favor, buddy. Could you bartend for me today?” He waited a few beats and smiled. “You’re a lifesaver.”
Fifteen minutes later, a truck rolled into the parking lot and a guy got out. Wow. Jaw-drop sexy. Tall, dark, shaggy hair, boyish features with a Roman nose and a rangy build, his eyes a startling green. There were some hotties in this town, including the Outlaw triplets. I hadn’t met Booker, but if he was as good looking as his attractive brothers that was some hard, rugged males times three. He shut the door, spied Ethan, waved and walked over.
“Thanks, man,” Ethan said as they shook hands.
“So this is the new girl everyone is talking about.” Rory gave her an open, friendly look. “Can’t go by a street corner without someone saying, ‘Seen that pretty little ole’ thang working at Outlaws? Shoot, I hear she’s from up north. Don’t look like a Yankee.’”
I blanched a bit. Oh Lord. People were talking about me still? I had hoped that would have died down by now. That information sent shivers of apprehension down my spine.
“Don’t look so worried,” he said. “I’m a Yankee and they’ve adopted me. Rory Finnegan,” he offered his hand. I shook, the contact strong, but brief. I noticed the ring on his finger. Understandable someone would have snagged him. Yowza.
“Rory and I were in the Marines together.”
“Semper Fi,” he said, knuckle bumping Ethan.”
“Lawson Edwards. It’s nice to meet you, and I’m not a Yankee. From the deep, Old South,” I murmured.
“Ah, yeah, I can hear the twang in your voice. People love to gossip. It’s just the curse of a small town. You’ll get used to it.” He ran his hand through his dark hair. “I’d better get to it.” He turned away, then turned back. “Oh, almost forgot. Savannah wants your sorry ass at our table soon. She keeps bugging me.”
“She getting jealous of our runs?”
Rory laughed. “She enjoys your company.” He shrugged. “Can’t imagine why?” He laughed softly as Ethan took a playful swing at him.
“Let Brax know Lawson’s car broke down, and I’m taking her to Lafayette,” Ethan said.
He nodded. “I can take a look at it for you,” he said.
How many heroes were there in this small town? My heart melted all over again. “Ethan offered.”
“But the more the merrier,” Ethan said. He hooked his arm around Rory’s shoulders and squeezed. “This guy is a genius with anything that runs. Once he got a Humvee working in the desert with some fishing wire and bubble gum.”
Rory smiled and nodded. “This guy…that’s an exaggeration, but it was a small miracle.”
“Saved our asses.”
