Page 135 of Forbidden Harmony

Preacher relaxed in his chair, petting Tank’sside when the big dog wandered over and leaned against him. Addison hated goingto the bar and she didn’t drink much. Neither did Grace or Kira. They were probablyat Addison’s place knitting and watching those ridiculous chick flicks. He tookanother drink of beer and smiled inwardly. Maybe when Grace got back, he’dhead over to Addison’s. Remind her how to have fun that didn’t involve yarn.He would eat her sweet pussy to say thank you for helping him with his migraine.

“What time do you expect Grace home?” hesaid.

“We’re supposed to go for a hike at theFalls early tomorrow morning to beat the heat, so she said she’d be home byeleven. Of course, The Hitching Post is ten miles outside of town and she neverfactors in driving time so it’ll probably be closer to eleven thirty or midnight.”

“They’re at The Hitching Post?” Preachersaid.

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“What?”

“Why are they at the goddamn Hitching Post?”Preacher snapped.

“Ladies night, remember?” Gideon said witha shrewd look at him. “I believe they’re looking for a cowboy for Addison totake home and… ride.”

Preacher stood up so quickly, he knockedhis chair over and Tank made a startled ‘woof’. “Like fucking hell, she is.”

He was pretty sure he might start foamingat the mouth, he was so pissed.

“What do you care?” Gideon said. “You andAddison were just fucking, remember?”

“She is not going anywhere near a fuckingcowboy.” Preacher set his beer down. “I gotta go.”

“What are you doing, Simon?” Gideon said.“You and Addison won’t work.”

“I have to go,” Preacher repeated.

He knew what Gideon was saying was true,but he didn’t care. The thought that some fucking cowboy had his hands all overAddison was filling him with pure rage. He stalked out of the yard, climbedonto his bike, and roared down the road in a cloud of exhaust fumes and dust.

* * *

“Addison?”

Addison looked up from her glass of wine andsmiled at the man sitting next to her. “Sorry. What did you say?”

“I asked if you wanted another glass ofwine.”

“Oh no, thank you. I’m good with thisone.”

“Okay.” The man gave her a generous smileand she studied his tanned face and white teeth. He was handsome enough –okay, fine, he was downright sexy and his tall, lean body was the stuff that sexdreams were made of – but she felt nothing for him.

She looked around discreetly for Grace andKira. They had gone to the ladies’ room half an hour ago and hadn’t returned.They’d only been here for a couple of hours, but she was ready to go home.This was a mistake. She couldn’t think of anything but Preacher and it wasn’tfair to the handsome and very nice cowboy sitting next to her.

“Your friends are on the other side of thebar studiously pretending to ignore us,” the cowboy said with another smile.“Go on and join them, I won’t be insulted. Disappointed but not insulted.”

“I’m sorry, uh…”

Shit! What was his name?

“Nathan,” the cowboy said.

“I’m sorry, Nathan,” Addison said. “It’s notyou, it’s me.”

He made a face before laughing, and she blushed.

“Oh God, I’m such an idiot. Listen, you’rereally good looking and nice but… this isn’t right for me.”

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