Page 22 of Nick

“The bullet went straight through. So what do you say we get it sewn up and head home?”

“That sounds great. Let’s run by the hospital and get it done. It feels fine—only a little pain.” We made our way into the barn and Kash was working on Nancy’s dad. The police and the ambulance got there at the same time. I told the EMTs I was going to the hospital to be checked out. We ended up staying two nights longer because I had a fever, and Nancy was scared to go home alone.

It had now been almost a week since I saw Opal, and I missed the hell out of her. I couldn’t wait to get home to Julia, but there was more to look forward to—I would see her soon.

11

Nick

Iwatched Opal as she talked to a young woman who I found working in her shop when I got back. I wondered what was going on. I knew she had been leaving town a few times. I wanted to know what she was up to, so I walked over to Opal and asked her, “What have you been up to lately?”

“I’m doing some lawyer stuff. This is my friend Tina. She’s helping me out. I just took some French bread out of the oven. Would you like a piece of bread with butter?”

“Sure, that sounds delicious.”

“Where is Julia?”

“She’s with her grandparents. I have to go away for a few days. I wanted to talk to you.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“I may have said everything wrong about going to dinner. I didn’t mean that I didn’t want to see you.”

I knew what he wanted. I wanted it as well, but it wasn’t going to happen. “Please don’t try and explain. I understood what you meant. I’m seeing someone now anyway, so you won’t have to worry about me asking you to dinner again.”

Before I could correct myself, another woman walked out of the kitchen. I could tell there was something wrong with her. I wondered who she was.

“This is my friend Jenna.”

“Hi, Jenna.”

“I’m going to see Luca today.”

“We are not going to see him today. We’ll see him tomorrow.”

“Luca? Are you talking about Luca Thatcher?”

“Yes, do you know him?”

“My brother is Luca.”

“Where is he?”

“How do you know Luca?”

“I met him when he was a Navy Seal. A bunch of goons attacked me, and he helped me. Is he in trouble?”

“Nothing I can’t handle. I’ll tell Luca you asked about him.”

I’d had my fill of Opal treating me like this just because I turned down a dinner date. Or was it because I said people would get the wrong idea? I took her hand and pulled her outside, “Listen, I know I screwed up when you asked me to dinner, but are you going to make me pay for it forever?”

“I’m not making you pay for anything. You don’t ever have to go to dinner with me. I don’t care.”

“You’re lying.”

“I am not lying. Why would you say that?”

“Because you want me as much as I want you.” I saw her eyes darken. She tried taking a step back, but I still had her hand, and I pulled her forward. I saw the panic as I bent my head and locked my lips onto hers. The kiss was hot and explosive. I pulled her into me as my arms tightened around her. She made that sound again deep in her throat, the same sound she made in Italy. Then she wrapped her arms around me. I deepened the kiss. When my hand trailed down and touched her ass, I pulled her closer, so she knew what I wanted.

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