Page 22 of Off-Limits Love
Mak would’ve choked on the awkward laugh that emerged from her throat except that she was too shocked by Brad’s outright mocking of Finn’s stutter to fully process Sam’s less than friendly greeting.
The two men had met many times over the years during holidays before her mom’s passing, and while she’d never told Sam the many whys of her divorce other than that Brad had cheated, Sam had made it clear from day one whose side he was on, declaring he’d never liked Brad and had only tolerated him for her sake.
Mak focused on petting Dash as a way of countering the glares being thrown around among all three men and to combat her own anxiety.
Apparently feeling left out, Finn’s horse stepped closer to her and Emi as though seeking some scratches.
“Emi, get back,” Brad said suddenly.
“Why?” Emi asked.
“I said get back. Go to the porch.” Brad charged forward, lifting his arms and waving his hands in big motions like one would if they encountered a bear. Finn’s horse jerked its broad head at the sudden surprise but didn’t budge otherwise.
Dash was another story. The poor thing let out a fear-filled bray as it scrambled to back up and away from the idiot making a fool of himself.
“Brad, stop!” Mak tried to help calm the little donkey, who looked wild-eyed due to Brad’s arm waving. “Stop that right now!”
He kept waving his arms to deliberately scare them. “Emi, get back on the porch! Now! Get away from the horse before it stomps on you and kills you.” Brad’s tone caused Emi’s eyes to widen and fill with tears.
“But, Daddy?—”
“Brad, the horse isn’t going to?—”
“I won’t have my daughter endangered out of your negligence as a mother.”
“Negligence?” she repeated, her mind struggling to keep up with the moment. “Brad, you can’t be serious.”
Finn held tight to the donkey pulling hard on the bridle it wore and quickly stepped close, scooping up the animal before it could bolt from the panic Brad caused.
Finn cradled Dash in his arms, muscles bulging beneath his short sleeves as he held Dash tight to his chest to secure the little guy. Not that she noticed the bulging arms or the brimstone glare he currently unleashed on her idiot ex.
Both endeared her to Finn even more, but now wasn’t the time to ponder such things.
“Only a fool would think either of those animals are a danger to anyone,” Sam said from the bottom of the porch steps where he’d met a sobbing Emi who wrapped her arms around Sam’s legs.
Brad stepped in front of Mak, forcing Mak to move to the side away from Finn to still be able to see them.
“I don’t want you or those filthy animals near my family. Do you understand me, freak?”
ChapterSeven
Finn had never wanted to punch someone as badly as he did Brad Jensen. Just once. One really,reallygood punch.
He couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that Mak had been with a man like this. Jensen. Why would any woman be with a bully? And that’s exactly what he was.
Finn remembered Brad Jensen well. Every evil, underhanded, degenerate thing he’d ever done to put another kid down and belittle him in an attempt to puff himself up in the process. Finn wasn’t the only one Brad and his crew had picked on, but he had seemed to take the brunt of it despite everything his brothers had done to try to protect him.
“Emi, will you please go inside with Sam while I talk to your father?”
Despite her tears, Emi got a stubborn look on her face at the request. Finn watched as Emi gave her mother a pitiful, pleading glance to stay before her petulant gaze shifted to Finn.
Finn forced himself to wink at her and tip his chin toward Sam in a silent urging to do as her mama said, promising Emi without words that he’d have their back and handle things out here.
Kids and animals went together like PB and J. And unless Mak did a one-eighty and bowed down to her ex, Finn wasn’t budging.
The little girl’s gaze shifted to her father next, and Finn watched her nose wrinkle up as she glared at him for ruining what had otherwise been the start of a fun visit.
“How about we see if we can find some carrots?” Sam asked Emi.
