Page 33 of The Wounded Warrior

“Or the one where it was eighty at noon and twenty at nine p.m.?”

“Yes! Frickin’ blue northers. I remember Mom wasfreaking out because she wanted to make those green and red meringue cookies.”

Matt helped him into the truck and loaded up, still hollering back. “Don’t forget the year of the gingerbread single-wide.”

“Oh, God. That roadkill armadillo you made was awesome.”

“Thank you. I am the King of the Grill.” Matt waggled his eyebrows.

“You’re an ass, but I love you.” Luke grinned over at Matt. “Thanks for not giving me a raft of shit about this.”

“I might have before the horses, but he proved himself.”

“He did, didn’t he? I’m sorta surprised.”

Matt snorted. “Shit, I’m stunned.”

Luke nodded. “I hear you. I mean, he seems like such a…city boy. I wonder why he wanted your land so bad?”

“Our land,” Matty corrected. “Don’t you forget it.”

“Right. Our land.”

“Ask him.”

Luke nodded easily. “I told you I would totally spy for you.” To a point. He really did want to get him some.

“Try asking first. I feel like he’ll just answer. He doesn’t seem too much like a liar.”

“I’m not a good spy, Matty. I intended to just ask.” Luke shrugged. “Worst he can do is punch me.”

“My money’s on you.”

“Matty, you’re supposed to offer to kick his ass if he does.” Luke watched the side of the road, every mile still as familiar as his own reflection. More than these days.

“Oh, brother, there’s never been a man that could take both of us.”

“No way, no day.”

Matt parked at the courthouse, which Luke guessed wasclose to Rory’s office or something, and they fist-bumped, grinning like fools.

“Text your date, Lulu.”

“Yeah.”

Matt slipped out of the truck and got his chair out, made sure he was settled before Rory popped out of one of the crazy little Victorian houses on the square.

“Hey!” Rory grinned, and, God, his bruises looked amazing in the light of day. Like maybe he had leprosy. He was moving easier, though.

“Hi. Am I dressed okay?”

Matt snorted, and Luke’s cheeks heated. Okay, so there was nowhere in town where he would be underdressed.

“Perfect. I love the gray with your eyes.”

“Thanks.” He glared at Matty. “Thanks for the ride.”

Rory held out a hand to Matt. “Thanks for riding him into town. I’ll drive him back out to the ranch.”

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