Page 62 of Outlaw

“There is a clear resemblance,” I replied, trying to appear as if I were completely fine. That Linc hadn’t fucked me three times last night, then walked out of my room without a goodbye or a…kiss.

“It’s the whipped-cream beard that makes it. I can totally see Linc’s beard being that white in the next, what…two to three years? I mean, you’re getting close to sixty,” Jayda teased as she picked up a plate and began to put pancakes on it.

“Careful,” Linc warned. “You’ll find yourself unemployed.”

“No, the hell she won’t,” Luther called out from the table, where he was now rubbing Maui’s head. “She can stop cleaning your side of the house and cooking for you, but she’s right. You’re old, and I’m not losing her because she tells the truth.”

As she turned to me, holding out a plate, I assumed Jayda’s trill of laughter would make Linc scowl, but he was fighting back a grin. Then, he winked at her. My stomach felt as if a brick had been rammed inside. I took the plate, murmuring a thank-you, and walked over to sit down beside Stevie.

He hadn’t even glanced at me. I was trying not to read into it, but with him winking at Jayda and touching her, how was I supposed to eat? I hadn’t been hungry to begin with, but now, Iwas bordering on nauseous. With myself.

Stevie put a strawberry, which had been used as a nose for the pancake face, and popped it into her mouth, then gave me a toothy grin as she chewed it. Needing some source of comfort, I kissed her cheek. She leaned into me, as if savoring it, and that was a balm to my soul. I had love. My daughter’s.

“Here are some berries and maple syrup. There is also the raspberry syrup I found at this cute little farmers market in town,” Jayda told me as she slid the items over to me.

“Thank you,” I said, feeling awkward.

I’d never had to interact with someone else who had slept with Linc. I mean, I wasn’t positive they had, but it appeared as if they had some connection. Unlike him and me.

My mood wasn’t going to improve if I continued thinking about this.

A phone rang, and Linc’s deep voice said, “Yeah,” as he took long strides out of the kitchen.

Not even a hello to me. Nothing. I looked back down at my plate and felt like if I tried to eat it, the first bite would get stuck in my throat.

Twenty-Nine

Branwen

Glancing down at my phone, I frowned at Linc’s name lighting up the screen as it rang. When had his number been put into my cell phone? I was tempted to ignore it.

Yesterday morning, he had shown up in the great room while Stevie played with her new toys to tell her he had to leave to do some work. She’d thrown her arms around his neck, and he’d hugged her before giving me a nod, then walking away. Again, not one word.

It was almost thirty hours later, and we hadn’t seen him since. Yet his number had been programmed into my phone, which I had not put in there, and he was calling me. The third ring, I gave in and picked it up.

“Yes,” I said in a clipped tone.

“I need you both ready by four. Jayda knows what you need to pack and will help you. Than will pick you up and drive you tothe airstrip.”

I waited for a moment for more information, but he said nothing.

“Okay, but where are you taking us?”

“Florida. Stevie needs to meet her brother.”

Oh. OH. I had known she had a brother. I remembered the wild little boy Levi had been. But I hadn’t really considered the fact that Stevie had a sibling.

I’d not been back to Ocala since I’d left at twelve years old. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. This might be good for us. Going somewhere. Stevie and I needed out of the house. The pool was great, and the house was huge, but we had been here for days. Although it wasn’t like I had a choice.

“Okay,” I agreed, but said nothing more.

“Is she good?” he asked me. His tone was still businesslike and detached.

“Yes, but she needs to get out of the house. I mean, after this trip. We can’t stay here all the time.” I tried to keep my voice equally cold.

He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I will make sure that happens more often.”

“Good.”

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