Page 51 of Unforgiven

Lott had to give it to him. Lorne had an answer for everything. “Do you ever get a word in edgewise with him, Mel?”

Melonie’s eyes widened as they filled with mirth. To her credit, her voice was smooth and sounded almost serious. “Occasionally.”

“Hmm.”

“You know, there’s no reason for you to act possessive of Melonie,” Lorne said. “I sure don’t want her.”

Even though all three of them were good with that, Lott didn’t care for how Lorne was referring to Mel—like she was something bad he’d found on the bottom of his shoe. “That don’t sound very nice, Lorne.”

“It’s true.”

“My mother asked me to bring him here,” Melonie said. “Things are rather quiet at our house.”

“It’s been boring. I’m not sure why my parents felt the need to come to Kentucky.”

“I’m not either.”

“You’re not much of a family sort of person, then?” Lott asked.

“We’re extended family. And we have next to nothing in common.”

Melonie’s lips quirked. “He’s not wrong.”

Lorne folded his arms across his chest as he scanned the area as if some pretty girl was suddenly going to approach him with a bright smile on her face. Then he stilled. “Who is that?”

Lott glanced around. “Who is who?”

“Her.”

There was a new tone to Lorne ’s voice. It was a little hoarse. A little breathless. Like he’d just come across the Kentucky Derby winner in the middle of Crittenden County. They all looked.

“Oh. That’s Ruby Bowman,” Melonie said.

“She’s pretty. Do you know her?” Lorne asked.

“Of course,” she said. “We all do.”

“Come introduce us, then.”

Melonie looked stricken. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

Lott knew why. Ruby was a year younger than Melonie and always viewed her as a rival. There was no way she would give Lorne the time of day if Melonie introduced them. Of course, Lott was fairly sure that Ruby wasn’t going to give Lorne her attention no matter what. “I’ll take you over there,” he said.

Lorne studied him for a long moment before nodding. “That’s appreciated.”

This guy really was too much. Turning to Melonie, he winked. “I’ll be right back.”

“Please, take your time.”

“What’s with the two of you?” Lorne asked as they walked toward Ruby.

There was no reason to lie, especially since he didn’t want this cousin of Mel’s to suddenly start thinking he had a shot with her. “I’ve been courting Melonie.”

“Do her parents know this?”

“They do. And before you ask any more questions, I’ll just say that it’s complicated.”

“I’ll say. Her mother was acting like I should court her.” For once the guy didn’t sound incredulous. Merely confused.

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