“Try chewing on some crystallized ginger. It will help.” Rachel waited as Lily locked the door behind them, then they crossed the street, going inside the diner.
It was slow for a Friday evening, only a couple of customers. Rachel was surprised to see Cash and Stud sitting at one of the tables, quietly talking. Being in two different motorcycle clubs, Rachel would have thought they wouldn’t be sharing a meal.
After making their way to a table, Lily waved at the two men while Rachel took a seat, facing away from them. When Lily sat down across from her, they requested their drinks before giving their order.
“Any luck getting your brothers married off yet?” Lily teased.
“No, darn it. I’m beginning to get worried. Tate is getting older; he should be settled down and married,” Rachel complained.#p#分页标题#e#
“He’s got plenty of time. You just want him off your back.”
“Yes, I do.” Rachel didn’t have any problem admitting the truth. “I’m too old for him to be telling me what time to be home or who I can and can’t date.”
“He actually gave you permission to date someone?” Lily’s purple eyes were filled with amusement.
“Payne Macy.”
“Oh.” Lily shuddered.
“Yeah. He only said it because he knew I wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole. It would serve him right if I started dating him.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I might. They are being big jerks right now.”
“Not as big as Payne.”
Payne Macy was the town’s confirmed bachelor. The gossip-mongers had always tried to find some dirt to dish on him but had been unable to find a speck. He attended church regularly, dated within reason, and never bought weed off her brothers; thus, they considered him the perfect man for her. The big problem for her was that he and anyone who had met him quickly realized he was an asshole. A mean asshole. Rachel was happy she didn’t come into contact with him very often.
As their food arrived, they changed the subject, neither wanting to hurt their appetite by discussing the rude man.
Because the restaurant wasn’t busy, Rachel heard the low voices of Stud and Cash in the background. Yet, before she could discern what was being discussed, Lily’s phone rang just as they finished eating.
“I’ll be right out,” she said into the phone then explained, “Shade’s here to pick me up.”
“Go ahead. I’ll take care of the ticket,” Rachel offered.
“No, I’ll pay.” She reached for her purse.
“My treat. You can pay next time.”
“All right,” Lily accepted, getting up from the table. “See you Sunday in church.”
Lily left as the waitress brought the ticket. Rachel took it, going to the cash register as she felt the men’s eyes on her. Self-conscious, she was glad to escape their scrutiny after paying, leaving through the door as other customers were about to enter.
Jared and one of his friends stopped, blocking the doorway. Rachel knew it wasn’t a good sign when, instead of letting her pass to go outside, they backed out of the doorway, keeping her pinned between them.
“I want to talk to you.” Rachel stiffened at his harsh voice, unsurprised by his statement.
“What about?”
“Did you tell my wife it was my fault she couldn’t have a kid?” Jared was so angry his face was flushed red, and his beady eyes were narrowed, waiting for her answer.
“No, but I did tell her you should be checked out before she spent any more money on expensive doctors,” Rachel answered in a calm voice. How some women fell in love with certain men was hard for her to understand. There was nothing nice or attractive about Jared.
“How much money did you con her out of?” Jeeringly, he called into question her motives.
“None.” Rachel had dealt with enough. She didn’t have to put up with his bullshit; she wasn’t the one stupid enough to be married to him.
“Stay the fuck away from my wife and keep your advice to yourself.” Jared blocked her path again as she tried to move away from him. “I’ll make sure everyone in town knows you’re a phony if I catch you near her again.”
Rachel wouldn’t have been able to call herself a Porter if she allowed the man to continue. Her temper soaring, she reached out, grabbing his arm. Jared tried to pull it out of her reach, but Rachel needed only a minute to find out what she needed to know. When Jared pushed her away from him, Rachel was sickened by what she had found out. His anger had lowered his guard, blasting the knowledge she needed through his consciousness into hers. Rachel was easily able to read what he was hiding.#p#分页标题#e#