Bold(32)

“Something wrong?” Josie asked, as Vic leveled a frown on her.

Since the cat was already out of the bag, she went for the truth. “Devon caught Reece and me kissing and all hell broke loose. Reece proposed because that’s what he thinks Devon wants. I think that sums up everything.”

“Oh.” Josie’s innocent eyes opened even wider as they started to walk toward the racetrack.

“But isn’t that what you wanted? To marry Reece?” Vic asked.

“At one time, but I want more. I want Reece to love me.” She inhaled a shaky breath and then released it.

“Well, hells bells,” Vic groaned.

“My sentiments exactly.” Tabby picked up the pace. “Where do you want me, Vic? And tell me again what I’m supposed to do?”

“The guys will follow this path. If they go outside the cones they are disqualified. First one over the finish line marked by that orange tape on the ground wins. You raise the winner’s hand, give him a little kiss, and present him with the certificate.”

“That sounds easy enough,” Tabby said.

“Uh. Tabby?” Josie cautiously drew her attention. “Did you know that Reece and Devon are in this race?”

“That is if the fools haven’t killed each other by now,” Vic added.

Discouragingly, Tabby shook her head. “Great. Just great.” It had sounded like fun when Vic had asked her the other day to officiate the race. Now she wasn’t so sure.

Several of the men began to arrive, including Adam and Trent from the fire department, Brody and Leo. Leonardo Caan was a young recruit from New Hampshire who had joined Whispering’s Cove police force last year. Tabby had met him a couple times, but the good-looking strawberry-blond seemed a little reserved for her taste.

When she spotted Devon and Reece walking side by side, Tabby figured they had made up or planned to beat the crap out of each other at a more appropriate time. She didn’t care either way.

As the large, awkward men climbed upon the small red-and-white tricycles, she could hear chuckles from the onlookers. The prize was a fifty-dollar gift certificate donated by the Seafarer. Katie was in the audience along with Andie to cheer their husbands on. Tabby stood before the line of men, all eyes pinned on her, but Devon and Reece’s gazes held something a little different from the others that she chose not to think about. She just wanted to get through this day.

Raising her arms, she yelled, “On your mark. Get set. Go.” Her hand whipped downward, starting the race.

Devon twisted the handles as he started to peddle, tipping over, and the crowd roared with laughter. Scrambling to his feet, he climbed aboard his trike and was off in a flash of long, bending legs pumping up and down so fast Tabby thought his knees might knock him in the chin.

The devilish Adam Collins grinned as he bumped Trent into a cone, pushing him out of bounds and disqualifying him. Even in Katie’s pregnant state, she made it through the crowd quickly and was by her husband’s side.

Reece and Brody were neck and neck, sharing victory smiles as one would inch forward and then the other would take the lead. Adam and Leo were closing in on them as they played their sibling rivalry game, while Devon was at the back of the pack, trying to remain seated.

The sight was hilarious.

Even after all that had happened today, Tabby couldn’t help it, she guffawed so hard tears rolled down her cheeks. That is until one of Brody’s feet skidded off a pedal, almost forcing him head over heels as the back wheels rose dangerously off the street.

The throng gasped.

Reece edged forward but looked back as if checking on his brother. When Brody regained his balance, the masses clapped, and Reece peddled faster, crossing the finish line. That’s when Tabby realized her next official duty wouldn’t be easy—presenting Reece with a kiss and his prize.

She had just stepped before him when he pulled her into a tight embrace. Before she could squirm out of his arms, he planted a wet one on her lips that shook her to the very roots of her hair.

The crowd went wild, laughing and cheering. Loud, raucous cries joined a series of wolf whistles as Reece’s caress went on and on, destroying her a little bit at a time as he devoured her. By the time he finally released her, she stumbled backward, but he caught her, bringing her to arm’s length.

“Hear me out. Devon said some things that opened my eyes.”

“No. I—”

Reece pressed a finger against her lips. “Please. Let me get this out before I lose my nerve.” He swallowed hard. “After that day at the high school, I found myself at a loss. I couldn’t eat, sleep or think of anything but you. I missed you, Tabby.”