Page 49 of The Darkest Knight

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Pulling the lid off the large platter of chicken wings, she laughed. What man didn’t love wings? Reese stepped back and took another long look to make sure she had everything placed on the table. She’d never bought so much food at once. “I can’t believe we managed all this before Seth caught on.”

Isla, who had taken Reese into town so she could buy the food and drinks for tonight’s shindig, stepped up and patted Reese’s shoulder. “A man likes to have his belly filled with food. Be careful or you’ll have him chasing after you.” Isla winked.

“Oh, I’m doing this for his birthday, not to win his attention.” Liar. Having Seth’s attention certainly interested her.

“If you say so, but he’s quite hooked if I say so myself. He’s also not bad to look at. I’ll get much enjoyment working here for the mere scenery.” She wagged her brows.

Reese couldn’t disagree with her new friend.

The Howard brothers and Vanna strolled up, Lex whistling through his teeth as he scanned the food. “I’m starving.” He started to reach for a wing and Isla smacked his hand.

“Don’t you dare. We’re waiting on Seth and the rest of the guests.”

“Is that for Seth too?” Johnny looked Reese up and down, smiling.

Feeling her face flush, she didn’t want to give her emotions away so she lifted her chin and laughed. “The dress is for me.” She gave the bottom a twirl. Secretly, the new sundress was partially for Seth. While in town with Isla, Reese had found another delicate flirty dress and bought it.

Thankfully Ledge and Isla had been more than happy to help her plan a spur of the moment party to celebrate Seth’s birthday. They had invited Seth’s friends and most of the community. Reese was glad they’d planned for a large crowd when guests started filing in including a three-man band that set up to play. She realized just how many people in the community Seth had reached, whether he knew it or not. The horde had grown from ten to twenty, and quickly to forty, then sixty by the time she saw the familiar beat-up truck coming up the gravel lane.

Seth stepped out of the driver’s side, glancing over the crowd that filled his front yard and Reese stepped forward, shyly. “Happy Birthday!” Cheers and whistles were heard from the guests.

“You did this?” he asked, sliding the backs of his knuckles along his cheek.

“I can’t take all the credit. Isla and Ledge helped.”

“How in the hell did you manage this without me knowing?”

“I’m pretty good at covert operations. I have my ways.” She smiled.

“I’m beginning to figure that out.” He strolled toward her and bent his face really close to her ear. “You know I’m not into shindigs, right?”

“You weren’t before, but I’m confident that by the time this night is over, you’ll be very grateful.” She lifted her chin and met his warm gaze.

“I like the sound of that.”

He was whisked away by several guests, and Reese watched him disappear into the crowd.

Steaks were thrown on the grill as the banjos started and beers began being passed around. It wasn’t long before people were dancing, eating, and laughing. From her view sitting on a bale of hay outside of the throng, she watched Seth. Although he professed being a loner, he seemed happy here among his friends.

“Amazing, isn’t it?”

She brought her gaze up, shading her eyes from the lowering sun as she met the friendly face of Ledge. “What’s amazing?”

One corner of his mouth tugged. “Seth. We see glimpses of who he was before the incident.”

“Did you know him before?”

“I did. We were Rangers together a long time ago.”

Scooting over, she gave him room to sit. “I didn’t know that.”

The man sat down and crossed his arms. “I want to thank you for being here.”

“Thank me? Why?”

He smoothed his beard. “You gave Seth something to take his mind off the demons. I haven’t seen him smile and be more like the old Seth in years. He deserves to enjoy life. The man would give someone the shirt off his back if they needed it. He certainly did save me and my family.” Ledge’s expression turned sincere.

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