Page 30 of Here With You

He saw a woman with honey-colored hair just before she disappeared inside The Brown boathouse. What was Emmaline up to?

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

She pulled a fifth of whiskey from her pocket and sat on the dock’s edge at the outlet to the water. The boathouse was enclosed on three sides and open to the bay, where renters could easily untie their crafts and get on the water quickly.

She untwisted the cap and took a swig. It had been years since she’d snuck a bottle of booze into the boathouse. The last time it happened, she was engaged to a gorgeous cowboy in Willow Bay.

Today she failed to keep her emotions in check. She’d prided herself over the years on always being in control, but his presence threw her off-kilter. How was she supposed to think clearly when he assaulted her senses with his sexiness?

The hinges to the door squeaked, and a large, looming figure walked inside the boathouse and closed the door. There was no need to be alarmed. She recognized his broad shoulders and that walk that some might consider a swagger, but she knew the slight limp came from a horse he tried to break but broke him instead. No one would notice it, but even after all these years, she saw the finer details when it came to Miles.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she stood and took the call because the caller ID saidMay McClintock.

“Hello.” It broke her heart to see her so frail at dinner. If May was calling, then something was up.

“It’s May, darlin’. I’ve got a big favor to ask. Can you put Darryl up for a bit?”

In the background, she heard a man’s voice say, “I’m not leaving the ranch.” Miles sauntered toward her. “I’ve got one vacancy for a few days.”

“That’s perfect. He’ll be over as soon as he drops me off at the ranch and packs a bag.”

“Is there something I should know?” Em asked.

“You already do. My boys are hardheaded and stubborn but redeemable and worthy of love. Sometimes it’s tough love. Darryl needs a break.” May laughed. “Probably to his head, but maybe it’s better served to his ego. I’ve fired him and booted him from the ranch.”

There was a “but mom” in the background before May said thank you and hung up.

When Em finished the call, Miles was there in front of her. In the amber glow of the setting sun, she noticed the swelling and emerging bruise on his jawline.

She reached out to touch it, and he winced. “What the hell happened to you?”

“Family squabble.”

Only two family members were in attendance, and she couldn’t imagine either of them throwing a punch. Cormac was as sweet as molasses, and May, while in her heyday could have had a powerful right hook, was too weak to punch anything but numbers on her cell phone.

“Who hit you?”

“Darryl. He asked me who I thought I was, and he punched me in the jaw before I could answer. Seeing him for dinner this week will be too soon.”

How did she tell Miles that he’d see his brother much sooner than expected? She offered him the bottle.

“Drink up because I’m about to make a bad day worse.”

He took the bottle and took several gulps before handing it back. “Worse than getting punched and subjecting myself to weekly family dinners until my mother dies?”

She took a sip and handed the bottle back to him. “Yep. Maybe you should have another drink.”

He did as she suggested. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Never mind.” She didn’t want to ruin his mood. She kicked off her shoes and sat on the edge of the deck, letting her feet dangle over the water. “I haven’t been on the water in years.” She used to boat all the time as a teen, but it had lost its allure when the boy who kissed her under the stars disappeared.

He took two oars from the nearby stand and untethered a boat. “Let’s remedy that.” He stepped inside the rowboat, which rocked back and forth. He held out his hand for her to take. “Come on. Let’s get away from here for a moment.”

She was tempted to take his hand, but alone on a boat with Miles was dangerous for her heart. “It’s getting dark.”

“Which is perfect. We won’t go far. Just to the buoy and back. What do you say?” He thrust his hand forward again. “Don’t be a chicken.”

He knew exactly what buttons to push. Hell, if he’d used this approach thirty years ago, she probably would have gone with him just to prove she wasn’t a coward.

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