Page 30 of Rebels and Roses

Fiona did, indeed, appear supremely happy with herself. She was smiling widely, a smug grin of satisfaction that clearly infuriated her brother.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be screwing around, little brother,” Fiona hissed. “Erica wants you to call her, by the way. It seems you haven’t been keeping in touch with her since you flew out of Denver. Tsk, tsk. That’s no way to treat your future wife.”

Fiona held up another cell phone she’d been carrying in her hand.

“You have several messages that you might want to check. I can’t believe you left me your phone.”

“I thought it might take you longer to realize I’d taken your phone if you had mine,” Tom muttered.

“You thought I wouldn’t notice?”

Fiona was openly laughing now, shaking her head at Tom’s logic.

“I let it go for a few days,” she went on. “I thought you’d come to your senses and give it back, but it became clear that you’d lost your mind. I can’t believe you bothered Cooper with this.”

As if on cue, the door swung open and the bell on top rang as Cooper, Tate, and Frankie strode into the store.

Cooper wore a grim, unhappy expression while Tate and Frankie looked more curious than anything. He gave Jane a brief glance that might have meant something but was far too quick to convey what he might be thinking at this moment.

Other than he was not a happy camper. That much was clear as day.

“What are you doing here?”

If Fiona registered Cooper’s harsh tone, she didn’t act like it. Instead, she threw her arms around him like they were long lost lovers, pressing a kiss to his lips. To his credit, he didn’t hug her back.

“I’m here because Tom stole my phone, of course. You had to know that I would come get it.”

“You didn’t get a new one? You’ve been without your phone all this time?”

Fiona’s smile dimmed slightly, and she appeared less sure than she had been only moments ago.

“Well…I…it’s my phone. I wanted it back. And he shouldn’t be here bothering you.”

“Is that a yes or a no as to whether you have a new phone?”

Cooper had his arms crossed across his chest as he looked sternly down at his ex-wife.

“Yes, I have a new phone,” Fiona admitted. “I had to have a phone, after all. But I knew Tom was here bugging you about this idea that he’s being followed. He’s delusional, Coop.”

“I can handle things here,” Cooper replied. “I don’t need you to rescue me from your brother.”

“He shouldn’t be here,” she argued.

“Neither should you.”

Ouch, damn. Fiona might look like a goddess, but Cooper clearly wasn’t thrilled to see her.

“That seems harsh. I came to help you,” Fiona said. “You could be more grateful. This is one of your big problems, Coop. You don’t think of anyone but yourself. That’s why we’re divorced.”

Cooper’s brows rose at her statement, his lips twisted as he stroked his chin.

“That’s why we divorced? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” Fiona pressed. “But we can let bygones be bygones. Whatever brought me here, it doesn’t matter. I’m finally in your quaint little hometown. Are these your siblings? I’ve only met the one. What was his name?—?

“Zack,” Cooper cut in. “His name was Zack. Shit, we stayed with him for almost a week. This is Tate and Frankie. Tate and Frankie, this is Fiona.”

Fiona made a show of greeting them enthusiastically, telling them that it was so wonderful to meet them. She’d been wanting to since she and Cooper married, but he’d always put her off.

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