Page 54 of Courageous Yearnings

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Lance interrupted quickly, laughing. “I’m getting married – and our mouthy little stud muffin has found himself engaged.”

The room was silent.

Alec opened his mouth – and then closed it before closing his eyes in defeat as his shoulders sagged, and he hung his head against his chest.

“Oh my gosh,” Justin grinned, laughing in disbelief. “Can the ‘Mouth from the South’ actually be speechless? And who is the mysterious Mrs. Beckett? Hmmm?”

Alec glared at them, pressed his lips together, and strode out of the room past them without another word.

“What’d I say?” Justin asked bluntly.

“It’s a very long story,” Lance hesitated and shook his head. “And not mine to tell. He’s not happy, and it’s not something he wants right now.”

“Is it what I think?” Colton asked quietly, looking awfully curious.

“I think so.”

“Interesting.”

“What? What is interesting?” Kyle asked, looking at Justin. “Is your team speaking in code or something? We’re not about to lose access to our lemon donuts, are we?”

“Let’s go,” Justin began. “I think Beckett and I are due for a little chat.”

“That’s a good idea,” Chase agreed. “Meet you all at the courthouse?”

“Yup. I’m getting ready to head out,” Lance agreed, picking up his phone and calling Blythe.

15

BLYTHE

“Hello?”

Blythe answered the phone quickly, trying not to sound nervous or out of breath. She had been up since four, already drank four cups of coffee, and could practically see her hands twitching from the caffeine overload that was sure to catch up with her eventually.

“Hey there,” Lance began huskily on the phone, and she fought back a sigh. “I’m looking for the hottest woman around and is supposed to be going by the name Mrs. Cortes, I believe…?”

“Oh, she’s here,” Blythe replied, hoping she sounded cool and collected. “I don’t know about ‘hottest woman around,’ but I’m ready to go when you are.”

“I just wanted to make sure my date for life wasn’t about to get cold feet or stand me up,” and Lance let out a nervous chuckle that made her mouth drop open in shock. He was afraid she’d stand him up?

“Actually, I was just about to hop in the Jeep and drive over there. See, I’ve got an idea, and I figure if poachers can truss dead animals to the roofs of their vehicles, my roll cage should hold you easily.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yup. Duct tape makes the world go ‘round – and enables the crazy.”

“Blythe!” he laughed, sounding a little more sure of himself.

“I know, I know… the joke is in poor taste.”

“You don’t have to tie me up… unless…”

“Cool your jets, loverboy. Let’s get married before you start letting your freak-flag fly, okay?”

“You sound just like Alec – and I never thought I’d say that to my wife.”

“If you call me ‘Alec,’ we’re going to have a different conversation,” she laughed. “Now, are you on the way, or am I picking you up ‘poacher-style’…?”

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