Page 30 of Spilling the Tea

Yes, Chance remembered. Skye Barclay had shown up at Clayton’s oldest brother Justin’s home one day, claiming she was the long-lost sister of their sixteen-year-old adopted son, Vincent. Clayton found her claim farfetched and immediately investigated her, believing Skye had an ulterior motive for wanting to attach herself to Vincent. Not only did the investigation prove Clayton’s suspicions wrong, but their cousin Slade fell in love with Skye the moment he saw her, and within a year, he married her.

“Well, when he called last night, I assured Clayton that I could handle my business and would prefer to do so. And, like I said, Zoey had a reason for showing up at my place the way she did. That’s why she’s having lunch with Mama Laverne as we speak.”

“So, I heard. Aunt Bessie didn’t waste any time calling Gramma Carrie, giving her the scoop when she arrived at her house. According to Aunt Bessie, Zoey Pritchard is a very striking woman. Aunt Bessie is hoping she catches Corbin’s eye.”

“Like hell,” Chance all but growled. He stopped walking and stared at his brother.

Luke stopped as well, threw up his hands with palms out insurrender and said, “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. I just told you what she’s hoping.”

Dropping his hands, Luke folded his arms across his chest and stared at him. “You want me to believe that the thought of Corbin and Zoey Pritchard hooking up doesn’t bother you?”

“It doesn’t bother me.”

“Yes, it does.”

Dammit, Luke was right; it did bother him. Chance rubbed a frustrated hand down his face. He shared a close relationship with all three of his brothers. However, since Luke was the oldest and Chance was the youngest, the two of them shared a special bond. He knew he could talk to his older cousins, Justin, Dex, and Clayton, about anything; the same was true with Luke.

“I don’t know what’s happening to me, Luke.”

Luke lowered his hands to his sides with a concerned look. “What do you mean?”

“For the first time since I broke up with Ravena, I’m interested in a woman for more than just a one-night stand.”

Luke relaxed his stance. “It was bound to happen, Chance.”

“Not to me,” he snapped.

“And why not to you?” Luke snapped back. “Because the woman you loved couldn’t handle the fact you might not be able to walk again? I’m going to say now what I maybe should have said then: good damn riddance.”

Luke leaned over, picked up a stick, and threw it into the pond. Chance could tell his brother was riled and had more to say when he looked back at him. “At some point, Chance, you need to accept that Ravena Boyle wasn’t the woman meant for you to marry. If a woman can’t stand by her man when the going gets tough, or a man can’t stand by his woman for the same reason, they don’t deserve each other. Ravena never deserved you.”

“I know that, Luke.” They began walking around the pond again.

Luke pushed back the Stetson on his head and asked, “You knowwhatexactly, Chance?”

“Everything you just said. I’ve known it for years. That’s why I don’t understand how any family member could think I would take back up with her when she returned to town.”

“I’ll tell you why. Because for five years, you’ve given Ravena power over you, whether you realize it or not.”

“Power?”

“Yes, power, by acting like she is the only woman who could mean anything to you. I could understand you not wanting to dive back into a serious relationship with a woman initially, but it’s been five years. While living a miserable life on your ranch, you might let the woman who could mean something to you slip away.”

Living a miserable life.Last night, Ravena had accused him of that very same thing. He denied it then and would deny it now. “I’m not living a miserable life, Luke.”

Luke shrugged. “You sure about that? I think engaging in one-night stands will get old at some point. Especially for you.”

Chance lifted a brow. “Why, especially for me?”

“Of Lucas Jr. and Sarah Madaris’s four sons, you were the one who wanted it all. You knew exactly what you wanted. You’d clarified that you wanted a career in the army, love, marriage, and children. You always talked about owning a ranch after your career with Uncle Sam ended. You might not have gotten the twenty-year career in the military that you wanted, but you got a college degree while enlisted. And you got your ranch, Chance. Love, marriage, and children are possibilities if you let them be.”

Chance’s jaw tightened. “I will never fall in love again, Luke. Until you experience the pain of heartbreak, you will never understand. And don’t get anything twisted about my interestin Zoey Pritchard. It’s nothing more than a strong attraction and intense desire. It’s all purely sexual. Love has nothing to do with it.”

“So you say, Lil Brother.”

“So I know, Luke.”

“I thought the same thing about Mac. If you recall, I refused to accept I had fallen in love with her. The same thing with Reese and Kenna.”

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