Page 93 of Brands

“That sounds like a lot of fun. You should do it.” It’d keep him occupied and out of Libby’s hair.

I pull the truck into one of the last parking spots at Val’s Hilltop Bar.

“Shit. It’s busy today,” Clay mutters as he slides out. “Hope we can find a table.”

“I think we’ll be fine. Let’s head to the back corner where we usually sit.” I herd him ahead of me, dropping my chin to tip my cowboy hat to Ford as I pass him.

He winks, dropping a sly grin and tilts his own back, then pulls April onto his lap.

I’m so fucking happy he found someone. She’s been amazing for pulling him out of the dark cloud he’s been in for years.

He even understood when I told him I wouldn’t make it to Italy next month for his wedding.

It’s hard to travel after spending the kind of money I did on a dairy farm.

Completely worth it.

“Hey, Mason. Sawyer. This must be the wife?” Clay pauses at their table, reaching out to shake Mason’s hand.

Libby said he hasn’t seen the new brands yet, otherwise I bet his attitude would be a little different.

“Clay. Yep, this is Lori.” Mason wraps his arm across her lower back, his thumb moving in a broad circle.

She’s closer to popping than Char is. I think their baby is due any day.

That makes me antsy.

I’ve still been careful not to lose myself in Libby. Yet.

“How’re you feeling? Glad to be out of the hospital?” Mason makes easy conversation with Clay while giving me a fast side-eye before returning his focus.

My phone vibrates in my pocket.

Libby: I need you

Me: Where are you?

Libby: By the bathrooms.

“Mason, can you order us a couple of beers, please?” I pull out one of the chairs for Clay. “Have a seat, buddy. I gotta hit the head, but I’ll be right back.”

“Huh? Okay.” Clay lowers himself slowly, turning again to Mason.

Pushing through the crowd of familiar faces, it doesn’t take me long to get to the narrow musty hallway that leads to the restrooms.

My hand is just raising to knock on the women’s door, when a hand darts out, covering my wrist.

“Hey.” Her sweet voice pours like high octane over me, amping up every molecule in my body.

She’s a new woman since I saw her last. Her golden locks are framed around her face, with a white sundress decorated with tiny cherry blossoms hugging her sexy frame.

“Hmm, baby. I missed you.” Wrapping my palms around her waist, I press her to the wall.

“It’s been an hour,” she giggles, locking her arms behind my neck.

“Fifty-nine minutes too long.” My lips press against hers, then I tilt my head to find the fluttering pulse of her arching throat.

My cell buzzes with a text, but I ignore it.

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