Page 71 of A Package Deal

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Warrick

"Colson, I swear to God, you better get your ass back here before summer’s over.”

Bessie let out a moo that I chose to interpret that she agreed with me. I kicked one of the wood posts, noting that it needed to be replaced soon.

“Have you planted the roses yet?” he grunted into the phone, being the grumpy little bitch he always was.

“No, but I just renovated Mom’s whole house and have plans being drawn up to build another one. Dad wanted you home. You’re telling me you’re going to give him the middle finger regarding his last wishes? That the kind of man you are now?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, asshole. Here I thought you were calling me to check in on your little brother, but no. You’re verbally attacking me instead. I already put in my notice at work and the lease on my place is up next month.”

I stopped pacing and pursed my lips. “Well, good. Fine, then.”

“Yeah.” He huffed out a breath. “Dude, you need to get laid or something. All that animosity isn’t good for your heart. You ain’t a young kid anymore.”

I rolled my eyes, but of course my brain went to Emmerleigh, stretched out on my bed, hands above her head, and wrists tied to my bedpost. Fuck. I didn’t need to get laid, I needed the woman I was madly in love with to just give me an honest chance.

And then get laid.

“I’m being an asshole because I had to watch Mom cry last night, telling me she’s bored now with Dad gone and not sure what to do with herself,” I said quietly.

Colson huffed again, but this time it was more like a sigh. “I’m sorry. I should be checking in more. But I do have plans to move home soon. Probably by end of next month.”

“Good. Let me know how I can help.”

“Will do. Love ya, brother.”

“Love you too.”

We hung up and Bessie stared back at me chewing on something. “You gonna let Colson milk you?”

She didn’t answer, but she did saunter away, which was all the answer I needed. She’d be disagreeable with every male she encountered. I’d bet my snakeskin boots on it. Instead of calling Boon next and spreading my shit mood around, I figured harassing Colson was all that was necessary right now. Perhaps Timberwolfe Farms could only handle one brother at a time.

A noise at the end of the long driveway had me turning. I wasn’t expecting anyone and I’d be a goddamn liar if I said my heart rate didn’t pick up thinking it might just be Em. And fuck me, it was. Her familiar piece-of-shit truck bounced over the gravel and came to a stop, her lovely face a neutral mask as she parked and got out. Even in work attire, she was stunning. A small package of womanhood and fierce mama-bear energy was clearly my kryptonite. It was with hopeful pride that I eyed the magnet attached to her door with my tagline emblazoned beneath her company logo. If she hated me, surely she would have ripped that magnet off first thing just so she wasn’t reminded of me.

“Got a minute?” she asked from too far away.

“Always.” What I meant was always…for her.

I walked over, noting the way she folded her arms across her chest and then dropped them, only to clasp her fingers together and wring them over and over. Hope bubbled up higher when I saw the gold band still on her ring finger.

Even if she told me she was walking away from this temporary marriage and handing me back my ring, I wouldn’t want her worried. Even if she wasn’t with me, I wanted all the best for her. Mom’s advice was usually right. Which meant I needed to back off and let Em make her choice, even if that choice wasn’t me.

“Hey,” I said softly, resting a hand on the hood of her truck when what I really wanted was to take her in my arms. “Whatever’s on your mind, just say it. It’ll be okay, I promise.”

Her shoulders dropped and her fingers stopped their frantic motions. “I, uh, just wanted to swing by and let you know I got an email early this morning, saying the custody suit is being dropped. Thank you. Thank you for working with that lawyer and whatever happened with Cayden. It worked.” Her bottom lip trembled and her eyes filled with tears, but she still managed a smile.

Relief was a palpable thing. I wanted to take her in my arms and spin her around, celebrating one less hurdle in her life’s path. But I couldn’t. Not when things were still unsettled between us.

“That’s fantastic news. Thank you for letting me know.”

Em blinked several times, looking even more unsure of herself. “Yeah, so, um, you were also right about Roger.”

Anger flared and I stood straighter, already going down a path in my head that involved my fist meeting Roger’s face. “Yeah?”

Em nodded, her gaze flitting down to the dirt between us. “He fired me, which is utter bullshit, but when I dropped off the bill for work already rendered, he said he’d have payment by tomorrow. I, uh, I’m sorry I didn’t listen to your advice.”

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