Page 12 of Tangled Passion

Madelyn rolled her eyes, and she slipped her arm through his. The two made their way into the dining room. They went through the buffet and then sat at a small table by themselves to catch up.

****

Garrett stood in the dining room doorway and tried to talk himself out of going over and asking her why she had to bring her lovers to the lodge and how long the bastard was going to stay. Trey had been gone for the day so no one could keep him from making stupid choices.

He’d been fighting a losing battle since he looked out his office window and saw the two embrace each other. He could feel the love they had for each other from where he was sitting.

He liked to think he was reasonable, but since Madelyn showed up, he’d felt like a bear with a thorn in its paw. He knew he was extremely attracted to her but fought it every step of the way.

Trey was determined to get the three of them together. Both men had been busier than normal and hadn’t had time to talk between the two, but all he had to do was look at the expression on his brother’s face to know how he felt about her.

His feet carried him to their table without a conscious decision. He stood over them and waited for their attention.

****

Carter watched his mom freeze when a man came to stand next to their table.

“Are you two having a nice dinner?” Garrett asked.

Carter’s eyebrows went up with what he perceived as jealousy. He watched as his mother blushed and then looked away from the man. He coughed back a chuckle. He had never seen his mom attracted to anyone, and he loved it.

Madelyn cleared her throat. “Yes, we are, thank you.”

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Carter asked and then bit his tongue when they both looked at him in surprise.

Madelyn sighed. “Carter, I’d like you to meet one of the owners of the lodge, Mr. Walsh.”

Carter held out a hand and almost lost it when the guy looked like he’d rather do anything than shake his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, sir.” That seemed to make things worse. If the man’s expression got any tenser, he was in danger of a heart attack.

“Mr. Walsh, this is Carter, my son.”

Carter bit his tongue to keep from bursting out in laughter at the shock and then suspicion on the man’s face.

“Your son, huh?”

“Yes,” Madelyn said tersely.

Carter could tell his mom had no clue what was going on. He had the urge to push them together a bit. His mom deserved to have a man in her life.

“I really am. My mom has always looked young for her age.”

Carter saw a flush of embarrassment glide across Garrett’s face.

“Why are you so shocked, Mr. Walsh?” Madelyn asked, confused.

“I thought he was your…”

“What?”

“I thought he was your male companion.”

Madelyn’s brows snapped together. “I still don’t understand why it’s any of your business.”

“It damn well is …well, I need to know because of the lodge,” he sputtered. “Has he checked in?”

“Yes, I have. I’m only able to stay the night, unfortunately.”

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