Page 40 of Forbidden (Old West 1)

“Sure it is. Sometimes you can be brilliant as the sun—­like having us install the new gaslighting—­and other times you’re dumber than the bacon in the cold box, like proposing to her.”

Rhine saw no sense in arguing with the truth, so he took a draw from his glass instead. “And I saw Eddy today.”

“How is our little lady?”

“Doing well. She sends her regards. I asked her to have dinner with me.”

Jim spun. “What?”

Rhine tried to explain himself. “It wasn’t something I planned to do. One minute I was talking to her and the next minute... God, Jim she’s so beautiful. Tough as nails, too.”

“So what did she say?” Jim asked pointedly.

“Asked me if I was inviting Natalie along with us.”

Jim laughed so loud the walls rang. When he recovered he tossed out, “Cut you off at the knees, hey pretty boy?”

“Yes, and she didn’t even need to use the fish knife she had in her hand.”

“I knew I liked her.” He then turned serious. “You know she’s not for you.”

“I do.”

“Then let her be.”

“I’m trying.”

“Try harder. She’s a nice girl, Rhine. Don’t mess things up for her here.”

Rhine sighed aloud in frustration and regret.

“Unless you’re going to toss Natalie aside and tell Eddy who you really are.”

Rhine saw the seriousness in his partner’s gaze. Outside of his siblings, Jim was the only person who knew his true heritage.

When he didn’t respond, Jim said, “Then go get drunk.”

Rhine toasted him with the glass. “Thanks. I think I will.”

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