LLucy’s Revenge(Divine Creek Ranch 15)(105)

Lucy noticed Charity and Justin hurrying up behind Beck and Patrick, evidently hoping to stop them from causing a scene. Beck was the first to speak to Lucy as Justin clapped his hand down on his shoulder. “I thought you were supposed to stay at the booth with your brother.”

Lucy’s spine felt like it had a steel rod in it as she looked him straight in the eyes. “Lower your voice, Beck.”

Beck looked ready to explode at her admonishment as he reached for her. He didn’t look like he’d be gentle.

Jayne suddenly slipped out of Ransome’s reach and put herself directly in front of him. She even invaded his space a little so he’d back up. “You calm the fuck down, Beck O’Malley.”

Charity went a little bug-eyed at Jayne’s sharply voiced command.

Lucy noted the way Jayne’s hands trembled at her sides and knew this wasn’t an easy thing for her to do. In the past, Jayne had always been the first to defend Beck to Lucy and make excuses for his surly behavior. The effect on Beck was startling. He looked down at her and the aggression started draining out of him.

Jayne stood there in her red leathers and tamed the beasts. Lucy could’ve done it but she had to admit to enjoying the sight of Jayne Carter standing up to men who were both at least a foot taller than her and reducing them to kittens eating from her hand.

Jayne quietly continued. “Beck, do you think so little of Lucy that you’d speak to her like that in front of strangers? Ransome and Val accompanied us to use the restroom and to get something to eat with Seth’s blessing. Would you agree those are good reasons for us to leave the booth?”

Beck glanced at Lucy and then back at Jayne.

Jayne turned to Patrick, who still looked ready to put Lucy over his knee as he eyed her outfit. Lucy hated the hurt, mixed with the anger, in his eyes. “Patrick, do you really think Lucy would act in a way that would bring shame to you?”

“Look how she’s dressed.”

Jayne reached up and gently tilted Patrick’s chin so he would look at her. “Look how I’m dressed. Look how more than half the women here are dressed.” She gestured all around them. Lucy saw the moment both men realized they were creating a bit of a scene.

Justin gripped both of men by the shoulder. “Gentlemen, why don’t we take this back to the table.” Lucy could tell that neither man liked it when Justin did that.

Jayne spoke softly again. “Lucy’s been looking forward to seeing you both all day. You know what the ROT Rally is like and you knew we’d need escorts strong enough to watch over us. You should be thanking Ransome and Val instead of acting like you’re about to fight them. They are our friends. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

The ruddy color in Patrick’s cheeks had begun to dissipate as he looked back up at Lucy and then down at her outfit again. He closed his eyes as if in pain and the ache in her heart went so deep she gasped. She wished she knew what was going through his mind.

Looking very disappointed, Jayne turned from Beck and spoke softly to Ransome, “Could you please take me back to the booth, Ransome? I think I need to sit down for a minute. I don’t feel well.” She gave Lucy a little wink and then wrapped her other hand around Val’s forearm. “I think Patrick and Beck can take care of Lucy from this point.” Lucy noticed Beck and Patrick react to Jayne’s admission about not feeling well and both looked guilty.

In her peripheral vision, Lucy saw Val cast a look at her as they skirted the small group, trying to make sure she was okay with being left to deal with Patrick and Beck. She knew she couldn’t afford to look his way. To do so would only incite Patrick and Beck again. She’d have to thank him later for walking away without question.

Charity and Justin waited silently as Lucy, Beck, and Patrick stared at each other in the middle of the busy aisle of the exhibition hall.

So not how I wanted to spend my evening.

She gathered her thoughts and finally spoke. “I should’ve shown you what I was wearing today.”

Both men remained silent, except for another glance at her attire, which thank goodness held a different sort of heat now.

Patrick was the first to speak. “Probably not, Luce. We wouldn’t have allowed you wear it. But I can see that you’re not the only one in leathers, even as minimal as yours are.”

She’d let that comment about them allowing her to wear the outfit slide for the time being. She understood why they were angry. It all revolved around appearances. The way she was dressed. The way she looked, walking with Jayne and the two men, like they were couples. Appearances that didn’t mean a hill of beans in this gathering but she tried to put herself in their shoes.