Page 69 of Nate

“We were doing no such thing,” Nate snapped and noticed Markie’s hands wrapped tightly around a cup she removed from the cupboard, then looked at him.

“I know you weren’t.”

Nate grinned and winked at her, then noticed Knowles clench his jaw. Nate wrapped his hand around Markie’s nape.

“Once you’re finished with your coffee, we can hit the road. We’ll get breakfast along the way.”

“Alright.”

“Morning, everyone,” Stella said as she entered the kitchen.

“Good morning, Mom.” Markie kissed her mother’s cheek.

“Morning, Stella,” Nate said, and he noticed Knowles didn’t even acknowledge her.

“How are you this morning, Mom?”

“My back’s bothering me a little. I’ll take a pill for it after you two leave.”

“Okay. Have you been seeing the doctor?”

“Yes, honey. I just got my pills refilled.”

Nate looked at Knowles, but he wouldn’t look at him. Nate would bet money the pills he saw him taking were Stella’s, but he had no proof of that.

“What would you like for breakfast?”

“We’re going to leave soon Mom. We want to get home so we can relax.”

“I wish you could stay longer.”

“Yeah, Markie, we wishyoucould stay longer,” Knowles said while looking at Nate, making him hide a grin behind his coffee cup.Dick.

“Well, we both have jobs to get back to. Maybe another time.”

“What is it you do, Nate?” Stella asked.

“I’m the manager at a horse ranch. My boss raises and sells Appaloosas.”

“A horse ranch?” Knowles asked then chuckled.

“Yeah, I actually work for a living.” Nate smirked when Knowles clenched his jaw.

“Do you work out?” Knowles asked him.

“No.”

“I do. Every morning. Stella was gracious enough to let me have a home gym. I’m in great shape.”

“I’m happy for you,” Nate said.

“Nate doesn’t need a gym for that. Trust me, he’s in fantastic shape.” Markie winked at Nate.

“Just working on a ranch doesn’t do that.”

“You try throwing eighty-pound bales of hay, mucking out stalls, riding a horse, and doing maintenance around a ranch and see if it doesn’t.” Nate stared at him.

Knowles folded his arms across his chest. “If you say so. I don’t see how sitting on a horse is much of a workout.”

---