Page 37 of The Wounded Warrior

“Just a weekend. I was interviewing for a position at a company there.”

“Doing what?” He hoped he didn’t sound too nosy, but he wanted to know. Everything.

“International law. They wanted someone less Texan.”

“No shit? They didn’t know the breed then.” They shared a grin.

“I’m not quite suave enough for London.”

But here Rory was high-dollar fancy. Weird. He guessed that was the way of the world.

“You’re damned smooth, man. Even drugged, you hit on me.”

“I did. I think you’re smoking hot, and I could turn your world upside down in the best way.”

“As long as you’re not trying to steal from my brother, and you give us both time to heal up a bit more, I’ll take you up on it.” Their gazes locked, and they stared at each other, ramping up the heat, until their food arrived.

“Fair enough. I want the people who work the land to keep it. This is my home.”

“I like that.” He did. A lot.

“And, to be fair, I want Harris to pay.”

“What did he do to you, Rory?” Luke scooped up food as if he was still in the military, but he saved his pancakes to savor.

“Is the food good?”

“Yeah. Yeah, it’s great.” He looked askance at Rory. “Eventually you’ll have to tell me.”

“One day. Not here. We’re having a nice lunch.”

Ouch.Okay, so it was a bad story. Another reason to dislike Harris, for sure. “I can see that.”

Now, time for pancakes. He poured on syrup, licking his lips.

Rory chuckled at him, the sound husky. “Damn, Luke. That’s dangerous.”

“Huh?” He glanced up, then laughed. “Sorry. I love pancakes.”

“I will keep that in mind.” Rory waggled his eyebrows.

“I bet you don’t forget much.”

“Nothing.”

Luke nodded, fork poised over his pancakes. “I didn’t used to, but these days shit falls out of my head.”

“You have a lot to work through, I bet. Deep stuff.”

“Less than I did a week ago. The horses help.”

“Yeah? You enjoy working with them? Have you always?”

“I wasn’t much of a 4-H kid,” Luke said. “I mean, I did my share with all the weird shit Preacher brought home, but I got out three days after graduation.”

“So you’re more like John than Matty?”

“I am.” He chuckled. “Well, I was. Now I have no idea what I am.” Now, his favorite part of the day was the horses. That made him feel important. Trustworthy.

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