Page 35 of Fairy Tale Husband

Wynne squeezed her nephew’s shoulder. “It’s all right, sweetheart. Mr. Chesterfield doesn’t know Jake the way we do.” She glared at Randolph. “You’re wrong, mister. My husband is an honorable man, and one of these days he’ll prove it to you. In the meantime, don’t you say another nasty word about him or you’ll regret it. Now, stand aside. It’s time we left.” She grabbed the cart and shoved it in his direction, deciding that if he didn’t move out of the way, she’d run right over histoes.

With an exaggerated sweep of his arm, Randolph stepped back. “Don’t let me keep you,” he said as she stalked past. “But just out of curiosity... How much is he paying you to crawl into bed with him? It must be a bloody fortune.”

A collective gasp ran through the store and Wynne felt her own anger skyrocket, though it was nothing compared to the fury that exploded across the countenance of the man lounging quietly in the doorway.

CHAPTERSIX

JAKE straightened, his eyes burning brighter than the fiery pits of hell. “I see you’ve met my wife, Chesterfield,” he said, his voice all the more terrifying for its deadly control.

Startled, Randolph whipped around and blanched. “Hondo! I—”

Jake stepped closer, crowding the man against the wall. “You speak to her again without my permission and I’ll permanently rearrange those pretty-boy features of yours. You got that?”

“Listen, Jake, Iwas just—”

“I didn’t catch your answer.” He grabbed a fistful of Randolph’s shirt. “Are we communicating, cousin? You don’t speak to her. Hell, you don’t even look at her. Understand?”

Sweat beaded Randolph’s brow as he gave a tight-lippednod.

Jake released his grip. “Smart answer. Because if you ever interfere in my business again, I’ll put paid to your future existence. You have my personal guarantee.” His attention switched to Wynne and he jerked his head toward the door. “Get goin’.”

Without a word, she swept by. Buster followed in her wake, poking his tongue out at Randolph as he passed. Not to be outdone, Chick stopped and gave the man a swift kick in the shins before darting after his brother.

Jake’s gaze swept the crowd of shoppers gathered. He didn’t doubt they were all there to catch a glimpse of his wife. He wasn’t surprised when few met his eyes. “Just so it’s clear,” he announced in a carrying voice. “I protect my own.”

“No one doubts that,” Belle retorted in a dry voice. “And don’t you worry about Wynne. She made quite a hit the short time she was here.”

Jake inclined his head. “Glad to hear it.” Noticing Randolph’s wife for the first time, he tipped his Stetson. “Always a pleasure, Evie.”

“Damn you, Hondo. Leave her alone or I’ll do some damage of my own,” Randolph snarled, recovering a modicum of his aplomb. “You’ve got a wife now, remember? You don’t need mine.”

Tears sprang to Evie’s gentle blue eyes and Jake instantly regretted turning his cousin’s rage in her direction. He could handle it. She couldn’t. But then, he hadn’t expected his cousin’s show of mettle. It had been a long time since Randolph had worked up the backbone to issue such a blatant challenge. Desperation must be riding himhard.

Jake inclined his head. “For the first time in your life, you’re right, Chesterfield. Ido have a wife now.” He glanced over his shoulder at the gracefully swaying bottom disappearing down the sidewalk. “Our conversation can keep. She can’t.”

With that, he stalked from the store, his swift stride narrowing the gap between him and his troublesome wife. He caught up with her by the truck.

“What are you doing here, Wynne?” he asked as he helped dump bags of groceries into the bed of the pickup. “I thought I told you to go to Two Forks for supplies.”

“You did.”

Her back was to him and a cool breeze stirred the white-blond hair at her nape. Asharp pang of desire twisted his gut in knots. She was so delicate, so vulnerable. And so damned unpredictable. “Then why didn’t you?” he demanded.

She glanced over her shoulder, her green eyes reflecting her surprise at his vehemence. “It was too far. Ididn’t think I could make it.”

“What do you mean, couldn’t make it?”

“It’s the three pedals,” Buster offered. “I tried to help, but she’s not very good at it.”

“Three—” Understanding dawned. “You don’t know how to drive a stick shift?” he questioned ominously.

“I do in theory. I’m just not so great at the ‘in practice’ part,” she confessed.

He swallowed the multitude of retorts that leapt to his tongue. “Get in the truck,” he instructed. “I’ll follow you home.”

Chick sighed.

Buster rolled his eyes and groaned. “Uh-oh.”

---