Page 89 of Nate

Markie’s aunt leaned in closer, her voice full of curiosity. “How long did it take for you to realize he was nothing like Jarrett?”

Markie let out a groan as she recalled the memories. “It took me a while. One of my friends, Sydney, called me out on it when I mentioned how similar Nate seemed to Jarrett. But then, I had to go back to the ranch to give the horses their vaccines and I saw Nate again.” She shook her head in frustration. “He insisted I call him by his first name but then added ‘and I can call you Dr. Russell, right?’ with a sly grin on his face. It took all my self-control not to punch him right then and there.”

Her mother and aunt chuckled along with her before urging Markie to continue.

“When I was leaving, he confronted me about why I seemed to have a problem with him. I told him about Jarrett, and he immediately got defensive. But after talking with Sydney again, I realized I was wrong about Nate. He was nothing like Jarrett and I felt terrible for judging him so quickly.” Markie smiled at the memory.

“I could have told you that from the start,” her aunt Lola interjected with raised eyebrows.

“Markie, honey, I am so sorry for not believing you when you told me about Jarrett’s actions. I should have listened, but I didn’t want to believe it. I wanted to believe he loved me, even though deep down I knew he didn’t,” her mother spoke up with remorse.

Lola nodded in agreement. “To be honest, that just shows how fake he was. A man shouldn’t have to pour on charm or act cocky to get something. If he’s confident in himself, that’s great, but not at the expense of others’ feelings. And from what I’ve seen, Nate is very confident in his masculinity without being cocky.”

Markie sighed in agreement. “Yes, Nate is confident but not in an arrogant way. He’s a good man.”

The three women paused their conversation as Nate returned their way, causing Markie to grin which made him chuckle. He winked at her before heading off to change more locks.

“I can see how happy he makes you, Markie. You deserve a good man in your life, just like your father was for me,” Stella said with a bittersweet smile.

“I know you were happy with him, Mom. And Dad loved you more than anything,” Markie replied.

Stella nodded with tears in her eyes before Lola joined in. “And I had a good man in Leo too. We both want that for you, Markie, and we believe Nate is that man.”

“What man?” Nate’s voice cut through the air as he reentered the kitchen.

The women all picked up their wine glasses and took a sip while Nate looked on, shaking his head in mock frustration.

“So, I’m not going to find out?” he asked with a sigh.

All three women shook their heads, causing Nate to roll his eyes before turning to face Markie. “Women,” he muttered with a playful smirk before leaving the room, bringing laughter from the women once again.

****

Nate strode toward the library in the house, determined to change the locks on the two sets of ornate French doors. With a grunt, he knelt to remove the old lock, muttering under his breath about the excessiveness of multiple entrances.

As he worked, his phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see his friend, Rafe Marshall’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hey, Rafe. What’s going on?” Nate answered, holding the phone with his chin against his shoulder as he worked on the lock.

“How about heading to Dewey’s tonight?”

Nate chuckled. “I’d love to, but I’m in Idaho.”

“What the hell are you doing there?”

Nate quickly explained his current situation, being careful not to reveal too much since it wasn’t really his place to do so.

“I get it. No problem,” Rafe replied. “I hate men like him.”

“Tell me about it. We can go next Saturday night if you’re free. I know you have all those women after you, Marshall,” Nate joked with a grin.

“I wish.” Rafe laughed. “Call me when you get home. It’s almost August, we could be buried in snow by next weekend.”

“In August?”

“Man, it wouldn’t surprise me a bit. Later.”

Nate laughed and promised to give him a call before hanging up.

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