Page 18 of The Mountain Man's Christmas Bride
NINE
RHETT
“Thanks,” I murmur, handing Axel the bag. “I appreciate you holding on to this.”
The man grunts, but he takes it and sets it with his own purchases for Delilah on the stroller, careful not to disturb their sleeping son. “No worries.”
I can tell he’s sceptical, but once I explained the situation to him, he seemed to be more on board with my relationship with his sister-in-law. Though, he might be more observant than I give him credit for. Especially after the gifts I just bought for my wife.
The pair are making their way towards us with expressions I can’t read. I can tell Sage told her sister the truth; that’s obvious by the way Delilah looks at me when they make it to our position by the table of carved Christmas decorations and handmade wreaths. But Sage is staring at me like she’s seeing me for the first time, or like she’s finally realised something.
But not knowing what has my stomach twisting.
As soon as they’re close, I reach for Sage’s hand, which she takes easily. “You two talk?” I ask quietly, pulling her into me.
She nods once, eyes shining. “Yeah. She gets it now.”
“I explained it to Axel,” I tell her. “He’s…understanding.”
A smile quirks her lips, one that reminds me of all the coy little looks she’d given me over the last few days. “Well, now that that’s covered…” she trails off, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. “I’m starving.”
“We could go see if the Jade Garden has any tables,” Delilah says. “Have lunch together where it’s a little more quiet, to…talk.”
I know Sage has missed actually spending time with her sister without feeling like the third wheel to her and Axel. And it would be nice to get to know them and show them how well Sage and I fit together. I know Delilah’s opinion of me will help me more than anything, and with both being so protective over Sage after everything that’s happened with Scott, I want them to know I’m on their side.
Sage nods, glancing up at me. “I’m down if you are. I haven’t been yet.”
“Neither have I,” I reply. “Maybe it can be our belated reception.”
Her smile widens, hope flickering in her green eyes. We leave the market together, starting for the parking lot of Daisy’s Bar where we parked. The bar itself is open, though I know most going in are probably just trying to escape the cold.
When we near, a familiar rat stumbles out the front door. There’s vomit staining his ruined t-shirt, and his hair looks as though it hasn’t been washed in weeks. I can’t tell what’s on his pants, it could either be more vomit or piss, but whatever it is makes me grimace.
As soon as he sees us—or more specifically, spots Sage—a drunken smile pulls at his lips, revealing blood on his teeth. “Baby!”
Sage immediately tenses, her breaths coming fast. “Go straight to the truck,” I tell her. “Don’t give him a moment of your attention. Just ignore him.”
Ahead, Delilah slows, looking back at us with wide eyes. Axel comes to a stop on the sidewalk, but he’s locked eyes on the rat falling into the dirty, shovelled snow by the doors.
“Keep walking,” I murmur, holding her tighter, trying to shield her from his sight. “He can’t hurt you.”
She makes a choked sound in the back of her throat. “Rhett…”
Scott gets up and takes a stumbling step towards us. “I know you’re doing this to get me back,” he slurs, breathing hard. “I can forgive you for leaving, baby. Just come back.”
Rage fills me, becoming unbearable to handle. How fucking delusional is this man? I know I shouldn’t respond, shouldn’t give him the attention he so desperately wants. I just grit my teeth and keep going, using my body to keep him away.
But he doesn’t fucking stop.
“I’ll actually marry you, if that’s what you want, baby. Please,” he whines, taking another step. “You don’t need him. You haveme.”
Disgust fills me, but I don’t look at him. I check on her.
There’re tears in her eyes, a tick in her jaw as she clenches it. But she just shakes her head without looking at him.
That’s all she wanted. He’s finally offering it to her, but it’s too damned late.
And as if finally realising that, the bastard throws something that’d been in his pocket. My stomach sinks as it lands in our path.
