Page 40 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

“If he’s messed up, maybe you should leave him alone?”

“I feel like I should have a Ghostbusters backpack strapped to my back like in the movies. I’m not leaving him alone, Becca,” Toni smiled wanlyas they walked. “I’m his champion in this fight. I’m just waiting for him to ‘tag’ me into the ring.”

Both women grew silent as they got closer to the family on the back deck of the house. Her brothers and Travis were sitting in lawn chairs, sipping on iced tea, while Jason was plucking the ribs off the smoker with a lethal-looking pair of tongs. He turned not a moment later, put two fingers in his mouth, and whistled loudly at them.

“Time to eat,” Toni grinned. “And try the potato salad. It was Grandma’s recipe, and I found it in an old shoebox.”

“The one with the peas and crunchy onion bits?”

“Yes, ma’am – the same!” The two women looked at each other, laughing, as she saw Travis stand up from his seat. His eyes met hers, and his smile was everything as he waved.

“That man likes you, and he doesn’t care who knows it,” Toni whispered in a hushed voice. “Derek looks at me like that – and then looks away to compose himself. That’s how I know that man is mine, and he needs me.”

Becca looked at her sister in surprise and then understanding. Her sister had fallen hard for this mysterious man and was desperate to make sure he noticed her. This guy must really be something to have such an effect on her – and she hoped that he realized what a treasure Toni was.

“I hope he loves what you sent him and comes back to see you sooner than you expect.”

“Me too,” her sister smiled. “Go. Say ‘hello’ to your fella, and we can talk later.”

“Thanks, Toni.”

The two climbed the steps to the deck, and Travis was there, handing her a plate. Oh yes, she knew the ‘rules of the house’ only too well. Jason cooked – but he wasn’t serving. You got your plate and came to the grill for hot food, or you could eat it cold. Either way, you were getting fed, it was up to you to enjoy it. Toni’s words rang in her head as she smiled up at Travis.

“I missed you,” Travis whispered – and immediately Matthew and Luke started with the childish ‘Oooohs’ that were so annoying. She knew they were doing it to get at her and playfully pick on someone they liked. It was a relief to know that her brothers liked Travis – including Jason. He wasn’t ordering him off the property, so that was a good sign. To her surprise, in front of everyone, Travis leaned down and brushed a feather-light kiss on her temple.

“Your brothers are great,” he breathed softly, and they shared a look. “We’ll talk later.”

“I’d like that.”

CHAPTER 13

TRAVIS

The moment Beccawas out of earshot, the questions began flying. Travis knew it was coming. It was what he would have done if the shoe was on the other foot – and they pulled no punches, so neither did he.

“How did you meet?”

“At a game.”

“If you were on the ice and playing – then how did you meet my sister?”

“I thought she was gorgeous, okay?” Travis blurted out, not liking the way Jason was glaring at him and implying that he wasn’t doing his job or participating in the game. He took his position seriously and had a duty to uphold to his team – to say that he was slacking off was like a slap in the face. “We were warming up, and I spotted her right away in the crowd. Becca’s gorgeous and was wearing a T-shirt I recognized from my childhood. I commented, we began talking, and it went from there.”

“It was one of those dumbMy Little Ponyshirts, wasn’t it?” Matthew chuckled knowingly making Luke look at him in surprise as if he forgot that show was his sister’s favorite one.

“Transformers…” Travis corrected and saw all three men roll their eyes, replying in unison.

“Oh geez…”

“Have you slept with her?” Matthew asked coolly before continuing. “You’re not sleeping with her under this roof, or you’ll never play hockey again.”

“Two rooms. Two beds. And it’s healthier that way,” Luke said simply, surprising him – and the two younger brothers bumped knuckles, chuckling.

“He could take the barn,” Jason said in a flat voice, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at Travis. “Or you could sleep in your truck, get a hotel in Tyler and leave my sister here, or find a nice stall that’s been cleaned already. In fact, honestly, leave Becca here, and I’ll even throw in a horse blanket and a pillow.”

So, it was going to be like that, huh?Travis thought silently to himself, trying not to lose his temper. This man thought he was in control, and he could see why Becca balked if Jason was as pushy with her as he was with Travis now.

“Do you plan on running her off again?” he asked simply and saw Jason’s expression darken as his eyes narrowed – especially when the other two brothers started chortling in delight beside him.

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