Page 51 of A Tinsel Tale

I take a last long look at the lake and the ducks, which have meandered along and are almost out of sight. I press my leg into Randy, and he follows Bunny up the incline. When we reach the main path, Evie picks up a trot and we make it home in half the time.

26

JAMIE

We exit the woods and beeline towards the big red barn. I’m relaxed and looking forward to catching some football at my brother Cam’s later this afternoon. Perfect day. I spot an unfamiliar car parked next to my truck. A fucking Tesla. I look over at Evie and she looks pale, her smile replaced by a grim line.

“Do you recognize the car?” I ask.

“Unfortunately,” she says, voice clipped. We reach the barn and dismount then lead the horses to their stalls to untack. Randy startles and throws his head back when a jarring voice intrudes, piercing the quiet of the barn. I shoot the man walking toward us a death glare. He strides in like he owns the place. I don’t need to be told who it is… if his hundred thousand-dollar car didn’t tip me off, his fancy shoes and perfectly groomed hair are a dead giveaway. The infamous Vance Wagner. Older than I expected… handsome in a too-put-together kind of way, in my opinion. He could be the poster child forGQ, the OCD edition. He reaches Evie and grabs her shoulders pulling her roughly into his arms.

“Evie. God it’s so good to see you. Why haven’t you returned any of my calls or texts?”

I tense, prepared to step in if I need to. What a tool. I relax a notch when Evie disentangles herself. This guy is wound tight. I’ve seen Chihuahuas more relaxed than this dude. His pea coat is devoid of any horse or dog hair, which is unheard of in my world. As I’m thinking this, he looks down distastefully and brushes some transferred Bunny hair from his navy coat. I choke down a laugh.

I clear my throat then hesitate, not sure if I should leave her alone with the bastard or not, but I offer anyway. “Evie, I can finish with the horses if you’d like to have some privacy.”

As if he’s just noticing me, he narrows his eyes in my direction then plasters on a fake smile. “We’ll take you up on that,” he says. I glance at Evie and she looks beyond annoyed.

“Why are you here, Vance?” she says through gritted teeth.

“I see country living hasn’t softened your edge. I’m here because I have some exciting news that couldn’t wait. I thought it was better to tell you in person. And I wanted to see you. Find out how your father is. I’ve missed you.”

She frowns then looks at me apologetically. “Are you sure you don’t mind, Jamie?”

“No problem.”

Vance’s brows dip. “Jamie?” He’s obviously heard of me because he’s scowling at me right now.

She tips her chin challengingly. “Yes. Jamie Barrington. Jamie, this is my boss, Vance Wagner.” I know all about Vance the asshole. Coach is not a fan and neither am I.

“You sure you’re okay?” I ask squaring off with Vance and scowling right back at him.

“I’m fine.” She wraps her fingers around my forearm and squeezes. “Thanks for everything. We’ll talk later.”

“Sounds good,” I say. Vance’s voice grates on my one last nerve as he commandeers Evie out of the barn and into his waiting Tesla. Fucker.

I finish with the horses and Hux and I head to the house. I knock then let myself in. “Coach?” I call out.

He responds from the back den, and I wander down the hall. He’s watching a game on TV with Puss sprawled out on his lap and the dogs curled up by his chair. Coach motions me to sit down. He takes one look at my face and says, “I guess Vance caught up with you two.”

Shaking my head I say, “I’ll never get it. What did she ever see in that dude?”

Coach shrugs. “Who knows. I guess he’s handsome enough, but he is pretty standoffish.”

I snort. “Is that what you call it?”

“Sometimes we get caught up in the idea of someone. They were both attorneys, working together on important cases, I can see it happening. Before you know it, you’re entangled. Isn’t that what Jada called it?” I laugh at the pop culture reference.

“Pardon my French but he’s a dick.”

“I don’t disagree. I wonder what he’s doing here. I know Evie called it off in no uncertain terms.”

“That’s what I thought. I’m sure with her gone, he’s had time to appreciate what he’s lost. He’s realizing she’s more than just a piece of office furniture,” I huff.

“He said he had some important news that couldn’t wait. I can’t imagine what that would be.”

“Maybe he’s going to offer a partnership in the firm,” I say.

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