Page 57 of Engaging with Her Enemy

Cameron glanced at the phone again, his eyes widening. “Hell, no. I don't know his thoughts on the subject, but I don't want to find out. I saw how easily he killed those guys in his last movie. I know it's all Hollywood special effects, but he had to learn something.”

Don't show to Grayson.Or Cameron.

“Should I tell her too late?”

Cameron slapped Hudson on the back. “No. I know you're sleeping with her, but sometimes she's as dangerous as Grayson in those movies.”

Hudson grinned. “Why do you think I put on thirty pounds of muscle before coming back to pursue her?”

Cameron laughed. “You're a better man than I am.”

“That doesn't take much,” Nash said, walking up with the ticket in his hand. “Where do I pay? Hugh never came back to take my money.” He glanced around the nearly empty diner. “I think word got around that y'all were in charge today.”

“I'll ring you up.” Cameron took the ticket and the cash. “Is business going well? We hardly see you anymore. Although I don't know if it's your farm, the store, or the pretty woman you've living in your house that keeps you away.”

“All three. When I'm not in the fields or at the store, I'm curled up next to the pretty woman.” Nash took his change and counted out a few dollars, handing them back. “For Hugh's effort.”

Nash pointed at Dewey, walking in the front door holding the hand of Carrie. “If we can find someone worth putting up with him, we'd all be settled finally.”

“Right now, I think a precocious seven-year-old is the only one willing to look twice his way.” Cameron came around the counter and dropped to his knees. “Who's my prettiest cousin?”

Carrie beamed a smile and ran to him. He stood and swung her around in a circle.

Hudson shook hands with Dewey. “Your friends don't have much faith in you finding a woman.”

Dewey pointed at them. “They both set my work schedule. When I'm not on a shift, I'm in his fields.”

“Hey, we both managed to find someone,” Nash stuck his thumb between himself and Cameron. “Maybe we know how to talk to women.”

“You know how to talk to city girls, you somehow convinced to move to our wonderful little town.”

Hudson sat on the stool, easing the weight off his leg. The guys glanced his direction but didn't say a word about it. “You have someone around the town you're interested in, then?”

Dewey shrugged but didn't say anything. Was it Eliza? He’d bet money on there being something between the two of them.

“Bingo,” Nash said, almost under his breath.

Cameron twirled Carrie in a circle. “It’s not Eliza. She’s like his little sister. Same with most all the women in this town. That’s why he’ll never find one unless he ventures outside the county line.” He pretended to eat Carrie's neck, causing her to squeal and giggle. “Here, sweet girl, run this money into the kitchen and tell Grandpa it's from Uncle Nash for his good work.”

She grabbed the money, counting it loudly along the way.

Hudson didn’t agree with Cameron’s assessment of Dewey.

“That's next on the list, you know,” Cameron said, watching her leave.

Nash coughed a few times. “What is that? I swear if you say, kids—”

“Kids.” Cameron grinned. “Why does that scare you?”

“Lexi doesn't want kids.” Nash regarded Hudson with curiosity. “Does Becky?”

Dewey's eyes widened. “When did you propose?”

“I haven't. And I don't know about kids. Right now, I'm trying to get her to admit she loves me enough to figure out how to make this work. The ball is in her court at this point. I know that sounds a little desperate, but I'm willing to do what she wants for the time being. Live apart. Live together. Whatever.” He wanted Becky. It didn’t matter how. Because he knew the end game. He knew that they'd end up together if she could only get past her fear and admit she loved him, too.

“Y'all look like a bunch of women at a hair salon out here gossiping the day away.” Hugh held the door open for Carrie to walk through. He shook the three dollars at Nash. “I hope you tip Iris better than you did me.”

“That was twelve percent.”

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