Page 72 of Sheltered by the Lawman

So, her name was Sally Holloway? He liked it.

“She needs to know,” Kiersten said from the doorway into the kitchen.

He turned. “I’m going to tell her,” he mumbled.

“Are you sure?” One thin brow lifted over skeptical eyes.

“Why don’t you believe me? I said I would,” he growled.

With an expression of someone who knew him well, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Because I know you, and you, my sweet brother, have fallen for her.”

He dropped down onto the couch, trying to wrap his head around the last few hours. He wanted to deny his sister’s words, but why should he bother? He did love Monica, or Sally. No doubt, he’d fallen for her and his greatest desire was to spend his life with her, but suddenly he realized his desires were jeopardized. He couldn’t believe he’d allowed himself to be where he was right now.

Kiersten dropped down next to him, patting him on the shoulder. “You knew this was bound to happen.” With his stern look, she shrugged. “Sorry.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like I’m worried about you? I am, but you must see the brighter side to this. If there’s a chance for you and Sally to move forward, she’ll have to know who she is. Then she can decide, fully aware, of what she wants. Trust in fate, bro.”

“Since when did you become such a romantic, sis?”

She shrugged. “I don’t have a clue.”

Cull had no idea how he’d break it to Sally that her fiancé was in town.

****

When Monica awoke, she was alone in bed. Pulling on a T-shirt, she padded out of the room and glanced around for Cull. She found him standing at the stove, cooking.

“Wow. He makes love like an expert and he cooks too. How lucky can a girl be?” She wrapped her arms around his waist and inhaled his fresh clean scent. Remembering how they’d showered together last night made her toes curl. She wanted a repeat.

He turned, wooden spoon held high. “It’s just scrambled eggs and toast. Don’t have too high of expectations. It’s about the only thing I can cook.”

“I’m starving.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his neck, his chin, his cheek, feeling a new bulge rubbing her belly. “And so are you,” she teased.

“We need to talk.”

The seriousness of his tone made her look up. His eyes were dark and his jaw tight. Suddenly she lost her appetite. “Oh no, not this again.”

“Have a seat. I’ll spoon up the food and we can have a chat.”

“Do I have a choice?” She popped up a brow.

He smiled but it was forced. “It’s okay, sweetheart.”

Sullenly, she sat at the table and, when he set a plate of eggs in front of her, her stomach turned. “Did something happen from last night until this morning? How long did I sleep anyway?”

“Ten hours.”

She watched him dip a knife into the butter then spread it over his toast. He bit into the bread and chewed thoughtfully while she anticipated what he needed to say. Had he changed his mind about them in just ten hours?

“Cull, please just spit it out,” she demanded. “If you think we’re going too fast—” He shook his head. “No? Then did my snoring keep you awake? I know I do because I’ve woke myself up several nights—”

“We had a visitor last night after you’d fallen asleep.”

She bit her bottom lip. “Yes?”

“His name is Burke Combs.” There was a long pause. “Do you recognize the name?”

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