Page 50 of Unforgiven

She felt her cheeks heat.

“Mel, what’s wrong?”

A warm, tingly feeling swelled in her stomach. She would know that low drawl anywhere. Anticipation made her turn on her heel. “Lott! What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing. I thought you were staying home because you had family in town.” His voice matched his eyes, which were gazing at her intently. Looking so soft and caring.

There was no doubt about it. She really was in love.

But when she opened her mouth to reply, she noticed that he was staring at Lorne with a very different expression. Lott wasn’t happy. He wasn’t happy at all.

18

Lott had hardly been able to believe it when he’d looked over and saw Melonie standing with another guy. Then, when he overheard a couple of girls say that the man was Melonie’s new beau, he’d been stunned.

He’d also been kind of hurt.

While he and Melonie didn’t exactly have anything settled between them, they had an understanding. Or at least it sure had seemed that way to him when they’d shared those moments together while Seth and Bethanne had gone on their walk. Melonie had been as sweet as could be. He knew she would’ve let him kiss her if he’d tried. Though he’d been tempted, he hadn’t dared, wanting her to know that he respected her and was willing to wait to take their relationship to another level. As far as he was concerned, all that meant Melonie should not be going anywhere on the arm of another man.

And most especially not the man she was standing with. Lott knew he wasn’t the most handsome guy in the county, but he was sure a far sight better looking than the man at Melonie’s side. He looked like he had a permanent frown on his face.

Melonie had a ton of stuff on her plate. She needed to be around a man who made her happy. This guy looked like he didn’t know the definition of happiness. What did she see in him?

Walking up to the stranger, he said, “I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Lott, this is my cousin Lorne Holst,” Melonie told him.

Things were looking up. “You two are cousins?”

“Second cousins,” Lorne said. “We don’t know each other very well.”

“Lorne is visiting from Ohio.”

Melonie looked like she was trying real hard not to grimace. That almost made Lott smile. “Welcome to Crittenden County.”

“Danke.” Then Lorne blurted, “Could you introduce me to some women?”

Who was this guy? “Nee.”

“Why not?” Lorne looked stunned.

“We don’t know each other.” Besides, Lott was pretty sure he already didn’t like him.

Lorne raised his chin. “I’ll have you know that I have a very good reputation back home.”

“But no girlfriend?”

“That ain’t none of your business.”

“I’m just saying, if you have a girl, you shouldn’t be flirting with other ones. Or with Melonie.” Sure, he sounded possessive, but what was wrong with that? Someone needed to look out for Mel. Glancing her way, Lott wasn’t sure if she was trying to keep from laughing or throwing herself into his arms.

He would be happy if she did either.

Lorne glared like Lott had just accused him of sleeping in on a Sunday morning. “I was not flirting with my cousin.”

“It looked like it to me.” Okay, it didn’t, but he couldn’t resist needling the guy.

“You shouldn’t have been watching us in the first place.”

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