Page 53 of Won’t Let You Get Away

“Sure, leave me to deal with him while making sure the rest of the guys don’t stir up trouble.”

“Better you than me,” I shrug. Offering a swift wave over my shoulder, I climb into my truck and head out.

In retrospect, it was for the best that I wasn’t around when Mack showed up later, considering how furious with him I still am. It took us three weeks to get a hold of him, and even then, all we got was a brief text claiming he could explain everything. After disappearing on us again for another couple of days, he called Kenny and said he intended to repay us for the supplies before anyone noticed they were gone. Apparently, he’d accumulated a significant gambling debt in the city.

I can’t recall a time when I heard Kenny yell as he did then. He was upset that Mack didn’t come to us for help, but even more irate about him selling our supplies, a sentiment shared by all our coworkers.

At least with them, I knew their responses would be confined to verbal venting. As for myself, I couldn’t stop envisioning punching Mack in the face.

Considering I’ve only ever hit one person before in my entire life, I didn’t want to risk causing actual harm. Even if he deserved it…

Shaking off these thoughts, I park alongside the fence and force myself not to dwell on Mack’s betrayal.

As I move to grab supplies from my trunk, my gaze naturally gravitates toward the cabin and I consider dropping by to see if she’s working from home today.

Bri has been here for nearly three months and it’s evident the significant influence she’s had on her parents’ winery. Hearing her talk about the business is invigorating. She positively glows when she updates me about her new hires or sponsors she’s secured. She even surprised me by suggesting a partnership meeting between the farm and the winery.

It’s easy to admit that I’m falling hard for her. Hell, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t already fallen for her a bit at Christmas. Her presence over these past few months and getting to genuinely know her has only deepened the feelings that blossomed during those few days we spent together.

Sighing, I make myself get a couple hours of work in before heading over to check on her. I try not to focus on the fact that seeing Bri is my self-imposed reward. Considering this fence has been damaged since before I left at Christmas, if it helps keep me focused, I’ll take it.

Running on autopilot, I retrieve the tools from my truck and head over to the fence and get started.

Not only is this project more time-consuming because we were swindled out of our supplies, but the damage to the fence was also more extensive than anyone realized. In total, five sections need to be entirely removed and replaced. After discussing with Ma and Tucker in passing, we agreed to add a gate back here to make it easier to get between the properties.

Since I insist on handling this task alone and can only allocate time once or twice a week, it’s taken me over a month to dismantle and rebuild two sections. Logically, I understand that what happened with Mack is unlikely to recur. Nonetheless, even I can admit that this work provides another excuse for me to see Bri more frequently.

I let my mind wander while my hands and body operate from muscle memory. After a couple of hours of work under the blistering sun, I pause for a water break. Without thinking, I toss my shirt into the truck, grab my father’s old Stetson to shield my eyes from the sun, and immediately return to work.

Engrossed in my thoughts, I don’t notice Bri until she’s directly in front of me on the other side of the fence with her arms crossed.

“Do you even own a shirt?”

It takes a moment for me to realize she’s frowning at me while I stand grinning foolishly at her.

“Hey, Beautiful.” My smile fades when Bri narrows her eyes.

“Seriously?” she asks incredulously before spinning on her heel and marching back toward her cabin.

Abandoning the shovel on the ground and peeling off my work gloves, I rush after her. Catching up just as she’s about to step onto the back porch, I call out.

“Hold up, Sugar.”

Her back stiffens, but she halts and waits for me. When I’m within arm’s reach, I tentatively step up to her side and place my hand on her lower back.

“What’s wrong?”

Bri closes her eyes with a heavy sigh, shaking her head in response. Gently, I turn her to face me.

“Did I do something to upset you?” I ask, racking my brain for what I did and how to fix it.

A shocking laugh spills from Bri’s lips and she finally opens her eyes. She waves a hand at me, slowly dragging her gaze over my torso.

“That!” She shakes her head and motions toward her stomach. “And this!”

My brows pinch together as I glance down at my body before looking over her, not even bothering to hide my smile at the sight of the baby bump.

“I’m…sorry?”

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