Page 17 of A Taste of Whiskey
“You tell ’em, sweetie,” Wynnie called out.
“You’d better stock up on dollar bills, baby,” Dare said as he pulled Billie into a kiss, earning whistles and shouts.
“How about strip paintball, mate?” Taz shouted, inciting a round of laughter.
“What’s strip paintball?” Gus asked.
“Nothing that’s going to happen,” Sasha said.
“Bikini paintball?” Hyde asked.
“I’m related to half of these women. Can we recruit a few of their friends?” Rebel asked.
“That still leaves half of them,” Taz pointed out, inciting more jokes and comments.
The banter continued throughout breakfast, and when everyone got ready to leave, Gus took Sasha’s hand and sweet-talked her into walking him out and strapping him into his booster seat. He looked like he’d won a trip to Disney World. Ezra didn’t blame him. He’d be wearing that goofy grin, too, if the sweetest girl he’d ever met were holding his hand and looking at him like he’d hung the moon.
She buckled Gus in and kissed his cheek. “See you soon, cutie.”
Ezra shut Gus’s door and leaned on the car. “Sasha Whiskey, stealing hearts and taking names.”
She smiled. “I think it’s the other way around. He stole my heart when he was a tiny baby, and he just keeps stealing more of it.”
Ezra knew the feeling. He hated himself for what he was about to ask, but he had to know the answer. “So, have you firmed up a date with Flame?”
A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes. “You want to know if I’vefirmed upFlame?” She leaned closer, whispering, “I don’t firm up and tell.”
“Jesus, Sash. That’s not what I meant.”
“No?” She feigned wide-eyed innocence.
“You know it’s not.”What kind of games are you playing lately?
“Do I?” She shrugged. “Have a good day, Ez, and let me know if you need firming up, too.”
Fuck.He curled his hands into fists to keep from hauling her back and telling her if she were firming him up, there would be no “too” about it.
SASHA WORKED STRAIGHT through lunch to late afternoon. When she finally finished, she was starved and headed up to the main house to raid the refrigerator. She saw Sully riding Beauty, a horse she’d helped rehabilitate last year, down from the pasture between the main house and the paintball field. They’d both come a long way since arriving at the ranch. Sully was confident and happy and had created a niche for herself illustrating children’s books. When she had time, she helped Sasha with the rehab horses. She had a gift for connecting with and calming anxious horses, and Sasha believed that innate ability was exactly what her once-surly brother had needed to allow someone into his heart.
Just like I’m exactly what Ezra and Gus need. Even if Ezra doesn’t realize it yet.She didn’t know where thatfirm up Flamecomment had come from, but she’d seen a glimmer of jealousy in Ezra’s eyes, and she wanted to see more of that interest.
She waved to Sully and headed around to the kitchen door. Dwight was pouring something over trays of chicken. He was a big man, with a shaved head, never a hint of whiskers, and a deep V that appeared permanently etched between his brows. He’d worked there since Sasha was ten or eleven, and he was as much a part of their family as the rest of their staff.
He looked over as she walked in. “I figured you’d show up sooner or later. You missed lunch.”
“Two of the horses we rescued last week were having a difficult day. It took a while to get them settled.”
“They’re lucky to have you.” He opened the fridge and took out a platter of sandwiches. “Help yourself.”
“Thanks. Were these left over from lunch?”
He cocked a brow. “Have you seen the crew eat? Those are fresh. Dare asked if I could bring some sandwiches and water to the big barn for him and the guys. They’re working on cleaning it out.”
“Oh. I’ll grab an ATV and take it down, if you want. I’m heading that way anyway.” She and Birdie had stored some things in the barn from when they were kids, and Dare asked her to stop by and show them what they could throw out.
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Thanks for letting Gus swindle you into making me that Danish this morning.”
