Page 85 of Ashes of the Past
Whoa, that’s bold of me.
But there’s no remorse in what I said. I mean it. I want to see where this goes between us.
Something flickers across her face—fear, maybe, or hope—but she doesn’t pull away. Doesn’t shut me out. That’s enough for now.
The rest of dinner is quieter but not uncomfortable. We talk about the ranch and the cattle, and I change the subject before either of us mentions Lane’s name again. I could tell by the way her eyes got vacant and her posture went rigid that there was more to the story than what she’s shared with me.
We finish dinner, and I stand to pull her chair out for her. As we’re leaving the restaurant, I hear someone call my name. I close my eyes as I recognize the voice. My entire body goes rigid.
Savannah.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Brynn
Jack’s hand is on the small of my back as we step out of the restaurant, his touch warm and steady. It’s a simple gesture, but something about it makes me feel protected. Claimed, almost. I shouldn’t like that as much as I do, but I let myself enjoy the moment.
It’s so nice to feel protected, to feel like my nervous system is at rest. I don’t know that I’ve felt that in a very long time.
The night air is crisp, and I tilt my head up to glance at him, a soft smile tugging at my lips.
“I had a really nice dinner,” I tell him.
“Me too,” he says as he forces a smile back at me.
What’s that look for? Did he not have a good time? Why does he look so tense?
“Jack!” a woman’s voice, sharp and laced with anger, screams.
He stiffens beside me, his fingers pressing more firmly against my lower back as he pulls me in tighter.
He leans down, his breath warm against my ear. “Keep walking.”
The venom in his voice sends a prickle of unease down my spine. I don’t question him, but my senses are suddenly on high alert. The woman doesn’t stop. She calls his name again, louder this time, and I can only assume that it’s his ex-wife.
My gut clenches. I figured she might still be in town after showing up at the ranch yesterday.
Maybe she stopped to visit his mother? Are they still close? No, not possible. Joanne says they all hate her after she cheated on Jack.
I shake my head, pushing the thoughts away. None of that matters right now.
“Who is it?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.
Jack exhales sharply. “It’s my ex-wife.” His voice is tight and controlled. “If we stop and engage with her, she’ll cause a scene. I don’t want to deal with her drama, and I don’t want you roped into it either.”
Right on cue, Savannah’s voice rises behind us, sharp and slicing through the night air.
“You homewrecking whore!”
“Shit,” Jack sighs.
Is she serious right now?
My eyes widen, and I instinctively start to turn around, but Jack’s grip tightens, stopping me.
“Don’t listen to her, Brynn,” he says firmly. “It’s what she wants.”
Rage fills me. I want to rip the woman’s throat out just for how badly she treated Jack, but now she’s calling me names and doesn’t even know me? Really?
