Page 61 of Between a Rock and a Hard Cowboy

As Wyatt rounded the corner she narrowed her eyes at him. Would Emmett being a felon convince this family not to take their dumb vote about giving him the inheritance? She wasn’t sure. Which was why she was ready to take matters into her own hands.

“Eva. Hi. I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Yeah, I’m sneaky like that. So, something smells good.”

“Yes. That’s because Poppy and Darcy baked a pie for tonight.”

She laughed. “Poppy and Darcy, huh? I can’t wait to see that.”

“I’m sure it’ll taste good…even if the crust leaves a bit to be desired.”

“Gotcha. I find whipped cream hides a multitude of pastry sins.”

Wyatt nodded. “Good tip. I hope we have some.”

She almost suggested that he call Linc to pick some up since he was probably still down in town. It was about the right time for him to be bringing the snake to pilfer her apartment, where Emmett would find and take that thumb drive that would prove to be the final nail in his coffin.

Eva decided to keep all that to herself. The less Wyatt knew about Emmett and that thumb drive the better. He definitely wouldn’t approve of her hacking the snake’s account or putting a tracer on it.

“I think I’m going to see if Poppy needs help with dinner,” she said, keeping the topic of conversation on something safe.

He nodded. “I’m about to pour myself a drink. Can I get you one?” he asked.

“Always,” she replied and found herself actually humming a Christmas tune as she made her way toward the kitchen.

But that is where her good mood ended. Because besides Poppy, standing by the stove wide eyed and pale, there also stood the man she’d recently learned was the snake himself.

It looked as if he and Linc had just walked in the back door as she'd been in the front hall chatting with Wyatt. He still had his coat on and he had the nerve to grin at her.“Look who’s here. My two favorite girls…”

Eva narrowed her eyes as a near growl came from deep in her throat.

Nope. This house wasn’t big enough for the two of them. Olivia might have to stay, being bed ridden and all, and Eva would feel bad leaving her here, but she could not remain in this man’s presence.

“I think this is my cue to leave. Poppy, you’re welcome to join me at the apartment if you’d like.” With that Eva spun on her heel and headed through the doorway she’d just walked through.

In the hallway, she heard boots on marble and dared to glance back as she reached for her coat. She saw Linc rushing after her.

“Eva. Wait.”

She spun back fully now. “I told you not to bring him here.”

“I couldn’t help it,” he began.

She shook her head. Putting Emmett in a room together with Wyatt when he could spill the beans about that will? Did Linc really think that was a good idea?

And how had they gotten here so fast? She’d left the apartment, filled her car with gas, talked to Billy for no more than ten minutes about scheduling an oil change, then came here.

Emmett must have been in and out of her apartment in no time. Hopefully that meant he’d found the drive in the ceiling. But if he was here, she was leaving.

Eva reached for the doorknob when Linc grabbed her arm in a grip that left no mistake he wasn’t letting go. His eyes were intense, demanding, and filled with emotion when he said, “Don’t take your anger at Emmett out on me.”

“Then do what you say you’re going to do,” she returned. “Now let me go.”

She tried to yank her arm back but he was unrelenting and refused to release her. Her anger was turning into mist in her eyes. And if there was one thing she refused to do, it was let any Wilder man see her cry.

“Eva. Stop.” His low even tone was one he might use with Darcy if the child threw a tantrum and needed to be calmed down. Firm but gentle. Loving…and maddening. She was no child. But she might possibly be acting like one.

Calming down, just a bit, she whispered, “Linc, please, let me go. Let me go and fix this mess.”

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