Page 54 of Forbidden Flame

“She like it?” Heath asked, relaxing his arms to his sides.

“She loved it.” I couldn’t forget the look of pure joy on her face when she rode on her own. I really wanted to be there when she did it without training wheels.

“You left it at that?”

“I helped her get the bike home. There was no room in the van for the bike.”

Heath’s eyes widened. “You went to the Calloways in a Monroe truck?”

At my nod, he hissed. “Do you have a death wish?”

“I don’t think it’s that bad. Teddy was here for the auction, and no one confronted him.”

Heath shook his head. “Yeah, but you’re involved with his little sister.”

“She’s an adult.”

“Still. I don’t have a sister, but I feel protective over the women my brothers are with. I have to imagine it would be one hundred times worse with a sister.”

“Her brothers don’t all live on the property.”

“She’s going to catch shit for it.”

“Maybe.” I hoped that wasn’t the case, but it was unavoidable if anyone saw us. “I have no plans to see her again.”

“Good. That’s good. It’s what’s best for everyone.”

It was better to cut things off now before we got in any deeper. After the nights we shared, I think it was more than that, but I wasn’t going to disclose those details to my cousin. His loyalty was to his brothers and the farm before me.

I rested a hand on his shoulder. “My loyalty lies with the Monroes. I am a Monroe.”

Heath nodded. “And don’t you forget it.”

It was impossible to forget when I lived here, drove the farm’s truck, and worked with Heath’s company, Monroe Contracting. I couldn’t escape my legacy, and Daphne couldn’t leave hers.

Chapter 12

Daphne

I’d always thought any man interested in me would have to be strong to handle my brothers. If Cole was the guy for me, he’d have to pass this test at some point.

Unfortunately, he’d already decided I wasn’t worth the effort, that we weren’t meant to be because of our families.

I hated it, but it wasn’t unexpected. I couldn’t let him spend more time with Izzy; it would only raise her expectations of him.

When I went inside, Izzy had her head in the pantry. “What’s to eat?”

“Why don’t you grab the goldfish, and I’ll get some strawberries?” I asked as I ducked into the fridge for fruit.

I washed the berries, cut off the stems, and dumped them into a bowl, hoping she’d eat them alongside the crackers. I couldn’t fight the allure of crackers; I just hoped to sneak in enough fruits and veggies to make a difference.

“Did you have fun at the egg hunt?” I asked her when I set the bowl in front of her.

Izzy looked around. “Where’s my easter basket?”

“I’ll go see if I put it in the van.” But I had a sinking feeling we’d left it at Cole’s house, either in the kitchen or outside on the porch. After she got her bike, she’d forgotten about the candy.

I searched the interior of the van. When I didn’t come up with it, I texted Cole.

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