Page 50 of Her Summer Hope

He threw himself into a chair at a nearby outdoor café and wasn’t surprised when John sat down a moment later.

“Are you stalking me?”

“Who was that guy pawing at our chef?” he asked, leaning forward and probably seeing too much in Kyle’s eyes. Much more than he wanted the man to see.

“Her husband,” Kyle said shortly.

“Oh.”

Her car drove by and she waved happily at him. John’s back was turned, but he nodded to her in acknowledgment. John turned and caught the vehicle before it turned the corner.

“Man, you’ve got terrible luck with women,” he said sadly.

Kyle groaned and clenched his hands into fists as the waitress came out to take their orders. Murdock showed up, giving the woman a scare, and then Evans’ slightly buzzed form dropped into the last chair.

She took their orders, somewhat warily now that they’d all gathered together, and disappeared.

“What’s going on? You look like your camel just died,” Evans said, sipping some water.

“Just got a look at Madison’s husband,” Conner offered.

Murdock looked intrigued…well, as intrigued as he ever allowed himself to look. It wasn’t much more than a twitch of his right eyebrow and an even more powerful glare.

“And?” Evans asked. “Is he hotter than our Logan here?” He stared at Kyle. “Are you no competition for the dude?”

“Wyatt,” Murdock warned.

“It’s nothing,” Kyle barked, fisting his hands in his lap.

“Oh, shit. Dude, you’re in love with her!” Evans exclaimed, more loudly than Kyle cared for.

A ten-mile run was in order, for all of them.

∞∞∞

The others were avoiding him that evening, all except Murdock who was unusually attentive.

They were sitting in the living room watching as Jace prowled around the gardens. His head was on a swivel, eyes never settling in one place too long. He scanned the mountains and the lush trees. He kept his back to the wall whenever possible.

Kyle thought the outdoors would do him some good, but only if he relaxed a little.

“You think he treats her right?” Murdock growled out, not looking at him.

“I don’t know. He’d better.”

Murdock grunted and they were silent for another moment. “You could take her from him,” he said.

Kyle looked at the large man, shocked.

“You think she would be happier with you, then you do everything you can to get her.”

Kyle shook his head, thinking about the baby and the fact that marriage was too sacred to do that. “I can’t. It’s not right.”

“Life’s short—”

“And then you die. I know,” he huffed. “Do you really believe it’s okay to steal a woman from her husband?” he asked.

Cal's shoulders twitched in answer. “Sometimes, maybe. Course most of them aren’t worth nothing…”

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