Page 97 of The Backup Bride Proposal

Mae was standing at the French doors, her long legs peeking out of her satin shorts. She wore a tank top and she looked stunning, like always. Tess’s words echoed in his mind.

Holding all that anger inside could cost you everything—and everyone—you love.

He wasn’t that guy. He refused to be that guy. What heneeded was a little normal in his life. A little happiness. He could have that with Mae, provided she wasn’t going to turn tail and run away as soon as they got back to Oklahoma. And he wouldn’t blame her if she did.

“It’s raining,” she said, her voice low and soft.

He made his way over to her and looked out the French doors. Rain fell softly, a light patter against the windows. Kane took a deep breath and let it out, hoping the rain would wash away the last of his anguish. He wished he could wrap his arms around Mae. The touch of her skin always made him feel good, but it didn’t seem as if he had the right at the moment.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ve been awful the past couple of days and I’ve taken a lot of it out on you.”

To his surprise, she smoothed her hand over his back. “You’re hurting. Anyone who lo—who cares about you understands that.”

He shuddered out a breath, her touch a balm to his tortured senses.

Her fingers entwined with his. “Come on. Let’s get in bed.”

They climbed into bed, Mae facing him.

“Close your eyes,” she said. “Relax. Clear your mind of all the things you can’t change. I’m here with you. You need to sleep.”

Her cool fingers massaged his face, melting away all the tension, the worries, the anger, until all he felt was peace.

He drifted off.

Chapter

twenty-eight

“Okay, we wantto hear everything.”

“And what Erin means by everything,” Brenna said, “is every detail of every day.”

Honor nodded. “Spare nothing. Even if you think it’s boring. Because it’s not boring.”

Mae blinked, not sure what to say. Mainly because she planned to say nothing. Nothing of value, anyway. Because so much had happened between her and Kane, and mostly between Kane and his family. And those secrets were not hers to reveal.

“We had a good time. The ranch is phenomenal. And huge. I got to spend a lot of time with the horses. And his family is incredible and fun and funny and it’s like I found a new family there.”

“Aww,” Honor said. “That’s really sweet.”

Brenna poured a refill of coffee from the carafe. “But about you and Kane. Did you two have serious alone time?”

“We had some, yes…but honestly, we were nonstopbusy during the day, cleaning stalls and working with the horses. Then we spent time with the family over dinner and in the evenings. So by bedtime, we were tired.”

“What?” Erin asked. “So you’re telling me there was no hot sex?”

“I’m not saying that at all.”

Brenna leaned back in her chair. “Yeah, you’re mostly not saying anything at all.”

“Tell me, Brenna,” Mae said. “Did we ask you to spill the intimate sex details of your honeymoon with Finn?”

Brenna’s eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing before she answered. “Well…I…that’s different.”

Mae poured herself a cup of coffee, added cream, then asked, “In what way is it different?”

“She does have a point, Bren,” Honor said. “We might be a little pushy because we’re all married now and living vicariously through Mae’s sexy single life.”

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