Page 8 of Wilde Sanctuary

They ate in silence, the sounds of the music playing softly in the background. Cassie was the youngest of the West kids, and the only girl of five—six if you counted Rhett, and they did count Rhett as a brother more than a cousin.

When they’d finished eating, Rhett took their wrappers and tossed them in the bin in the corner.

“So, what can I do for you, Cassie?”

She titled her head to one side and pursed her lips. “Who is she?”

He knew it would be about Charlie. Just one time he wanted to make a mistake in this damned town and not have everyone know it.

“Who is who?” The only reason he stayed in the same room was he knew if he didn’t, she’d just follow him, anyway. This way, the interrogation would be over quicker.

“The woman you’ve been seen with. Everyone who’s been into the surgery this week can’t stop talking about her,” she smirked. “So, who is she?”

Rhett sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “Nobody. She’s nobody.”

“Oh really? Old Errol said you had your tongue halfway down her throat and were practically fu?—”

“Hey!” It didn’t matter what was between him and Charlie, she didn’t deserve to be spoken about like that.

“Oh?” Cassie was smirking.

Little stirrer. She always did like to cause trouble with her brothers.

“Look, Cassie. She’s a Sinclair.”

Cassie’s smirk fell. “What?”

There were no secrets in the West family. They knew all about the plans of Sinclair Properties. Hell, most people in town knew, thanks to the development proposal Charlie’s father had lodged a few years ago with the council.

“Yeah, exactly. I only found out this morning when she came to offer for the land.”

Cassie pulled a face. “Oh, Rhett.”

He grimaced. “Same old same, right? Out of town women just want me for my money.” He choked out a laugh, but it was a poor attempt at humor. By the way Cassie gave him a sympathetic smile, he knew his hurt wasn’t lost on her.

“Are you sure she’s like Lisa?”

Rhett leaned back on his hands and sighed. “I don’t know what to think.”

That’s what you got for losing your heart to a summer fling, only to have her leave town after telling you quite publicly that she was too good for a crappy little town like this. That was a long time ago, but it still smarted.

“What are they offering this time?”

“No idea. I didn’t look.”

Cassie shot him an incredulous look. “Seriously? Come on, Rhett. Aren’t you curious?”

Rhett rolled his eyes. “The packet is on the floor in the shop, if you want to have a look.”

Cassie gave a whoop and hopped down off the crate, padding into the shop in the crocs she wore when not in surgery. Rhett listened to the squeak of her shoes as she made her way to thefront of the shop. He picked up the canvas tent again, resuming his stitching.

“Hey, Rhett?” She said as she walked back into the workroom.

“Hmm?” He said, squinting at the seam in his hands as he stitched it together neatly.

“Did you know she’s staying in one of your cabins?”

“What?”

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