Page 76 of Between a Rock and a Hard Cowboy

Linc had never taken off his jacket so once she was buttoned up, he reached for the doorknob and pulled the front door wide. “You know, you might want to consider staying at the cabin through Christmas. Just because we’re hosting the Yule Log party together. It would make sense.”

“Mm. Complete sense,” she agreed, hiding her smile.

He was so easy to read. And with just the promise of sex, he reminded her of a puppy. Young and eager while trying to be well behaved.

As they stepped into the cold, and he pulled the door closed, he turned to face her.

“We going to talk about the FBI call?” he asked, one brown brow cocked high.

Surprised, she let out a short laugh. “Not unless you want to talk about how Emmett was able to skip town with no vehicle.”

She held his gaze and there it was—the same silent mutual agreement she’d made with the senior Wilder in the office in front of the burnt will, but now it was with his son.

And somehow her and Linc’s shared secrets made her feel closer to him than even all the sex had.

ChapterForty

It was late in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and after Emmett’s abrupt departure—aided by Wyatt’s cash and Ethan and Linc’s assistance getting him packed and to the bus station—Christmas was back on track.

Life felt normal again.

Linc had cut the Yule Log and it was already in the fireplace, ready to be lit. He’d cut some smaller logs as well, drilled holes along the top for candles and, with some greenery and berries for decoration those would adorn the table at the cabin.

There were plenty of alcoholic beverages—and non-alcoholic ones too—since Wyatt had actually agreed to let Olivia leave her bed and come tonight. Only because her blood pressure had gotten so much better. Coincidentally right after Emmett had left town.

And the pastry chef at the Wilder had gone above and beyond and created a Yule Log dessert. They’d serve that after the beef bourguignon—which he’d learned was just fancy beef stew with red wine added.

That had been Eva’s suggestion when he’d said a simple one pot meal, like chili or stew, would be easiest for the party. He was fine with the upgrade. The cabin had never looked so fancy. They might as well eat fancy too.

Eva was out, doing God only knew what, but she’d be back well in advance of their guests arriving. She might have hated the idea of the Christmas competition in the beginning, but she’d embraced it now. He’d even go so far as to say she was enjoying it.

The sound of her key in the door had him turning and smiling. Did they have time for a quickie before everyone arrived?

The tall blond man standing behind Eva drove that thought right out of his head.

It took a second since Linc hadn’t seen the guy in six months and then he’d been in his pastel summer duds that made it look like he’d just stepped off the golf course. Today, Paine Van Clief—Poppy’s rich, cultured, educated, Ken doll-like brother—could have just gotten off the ski slopes in Aspen.

And he was with Eva. In Linc’s house. Why?

“Hey,” Eva said, breathless as she closed the door behind them. “Sorry I’m late. I had to perform a rescue.” She hooked a thumb at Paine and laughed.

Actually laughed. Like a real genuine, hearty chuckle.

“Hey, now. I can’t help it if vintage cars can get temperamental.” Paine flashed a white-toothed smile at Eva, and Linc smothered a growl.

“No, but you can help that you chose to drive a vintage car from New York to Tennessee. In December. You do realize it’s a convertible, right?” Eva joked. “Don’t you rich folks have any other cars you could drive?”

Paine bobbed his head. “There’s the Hummer, but it’s such a gas guzzler.”

“Oh yes, of course. Have to think about the environment.” Eva rolled her eyes but unlike when she usually did that, this particular eye roll for Paine was accompanied by a smile.

Mother fucker. What was happening?

Finally Paine turned toward Linc. “Hey, thanks for inviting me for tonight.”

Linc didn’t remember inviting him but whatever.

Paine continued, “I broke down somewhere around the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Poppy arranged for a tow truck and they brought me to town. Apparently Uber isn’t a thing in Bitter End. Good thing Eva was available to pick me up.”

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