Page 10 of Wild Love

"Maybe the reason Scarlett doesn't stick around is because you and your parents criticize her all the time."

Chance narrowed his eyes on me. "How do you know?"

I shrugged, trying to pull off nonchalant, but I didn't quite make it. "I don't know anything about Scarlett." And I certainly wasn't going to admit to her brother that we'd had a moment on the deck of the lodge. "Kylie lived in Paris for years because she didn't think she had a place here at the lodge or in our family. We said things over the years that gave her that impression. I just don't want the same fate for you."

Chance frowned. "Scarlett only stays a few days, maybe a week, before she's off again. You might be onto something."

The waitress brought our food, and we dug in. Smaller conversations broke out at the table: talk about the football season and happenings at the lodge.

Chance leaned in to ask, "How should I handle the situation with Scarlett?"

I kept my gaze on the steak in front of me, cutting it into tiny pieces. "I'd give her some space, make her feel respected."

"I don't disrespect her." Chance sounded offended.

"You don't trust her to make her own choices. You have to step in and protect her. What message are you sending?"

Chance leaned back in his chair. "I never thought about it like that."

"With your dad being a sheriff too, I can only think he did the same."

Chance shook his head. "That's probably true. I just worry about her. What kind of life is it to travel from one place to another, never settling down?"

"I don't know. But it isn't your choice to make." It wasn't the kind of life I ever thought about. But then again, as the eldest Wilde, I'd known I'd take over the resort. It had been only a matter of time. I'd run a little wild after college, but I reined that in when my dad said it was time for me to take on more responsibility. Now I was more controlled. I regulated reckless times for outings with my friends and flings with women passing through.

"You know, she only comes home because she doesn't have her own place."

"What does she do again?" I never had a reason to pay close attention to news about his sister before, and she kept mentioning something about it being her job to move around.

"She works for theater groups that travel around, putting on shows. When the show is over, she hooks up with another one. She's essentially a nomad."

"You're her home base. That's a good thing."

Chance blew out a breath. "I suppose you're right. I should be grateful she has us to come home to." He was lost in thought for a few seconds, then admitted, "But this time feels different."

"How so?" I wiped my mouth with the cloth napkin and threw it on my empty plate. I was uncomfortably full from the steak and potatoes. But it was excellent as always. I'd have to compliment the chef. I'd lured Jared from a larger city with a promise of part ownership in the restaurant.

"It's just a feeling I'm getting, and I never ignore my intuition."

"Maybe it's financial troubles, and she doesn't want to bother you with her problems." I couldn't imagine she made much as a traveling actress, but I didn't know anything about the industry.

"It's possible."

"I'd give her some space, let her know you're there for her, and let her be herself." I had a feeling Chance and his parents tried to put Scarlett in a box, and she just didn't fit. I admired her free spirit, her desire to live all over the world even if I didn't have the same temptation.

"My parents are so happy. They want to have a barbecue at the house. You and your brothers are welcome."

"Wouldn't miss it." I didn't make the family gatherings as much as I used to. When we were kids, we were over at each other's places so often; Pam and Bart felt like a second set of parents. We figured out quick that it was best to hang out at the lodge because my father wasn't the town sheriff, and we could get away with more. But I appreciated how involved Chance's parents were.

"Thanks for saying what you did about Kylie. I never thought about it like that. Maybe I should talk to Scarlett about it."

"I'd let it go. If she wants to talk to you, she will." I had a feeling Scarlett wouldn't want to trouble her family with anything. She was strong and independent, the kind of woman I was attracted to.

"You want to play some pool?" Xander asked, throwing his napkin on the table and pushing his chair out.

"You're on," I said, content to spent time with my brothers and Chance.

Since it was relatively early, we commandeered a pool table and some high-top tables nearby. Oliver set up a tournament complete with brackets he wrote on a napkin.

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