Page 82 of Forever After All

“Good night, Jess.”

She threw the blanket off and stood, picking up the lantern and turning it on. “I’m going to check on Applejack.”

She couldn’t stay next to Linc. Not when he was pushing her away.

If she stayed, she’d be tempted to beg him to let her in, and that was one decision he had to make on his own.

Chapter24

Linc

What was ringing, and why wouldn’t it shut up?

Linc pressed his eyes closed as the noise kept stabbing at his head. Whoever was calling could wait until morning.

A man cleared his throat, and Linc’s eyes opened wide. Every muscle in his body stiffened as he slowly turned toward the source of the sound.

Blinking away the fog in his vision, Linc frowned at the two people standing at his feet.

Right. He’d slept in the barn last night.

He’d slept in the barn with Jess.

She was still curled up beside him. She might have been on a separate cot, but Linc’s arm was still draped over her.

Oh, great. He’d cuddled her in his sleep. He’d never hear the end of it.

He pulled his arm away, reluctantly, because apparently, even his sleeping brain wanted to be closer to her. She’d probably never let him touch her again.

Last night’s conversation came back to him in pieces. He’d pushed her away. He’d done the right thing, but he’d pretty much let her know nothing was happening between them.

That was probably the reason he wanted to lean over and puke his guts up. She’d gone to sleep mad, and he couldn’t blame her. At least she got the memo that he was a jerk.

Linc sat up and stretched his neck from side to side. “What’s up?”

“What’s up?” Brett repeated. “That’s what I wanna know.”

Brett’s voice was already an octave too high, which meant he was reading way too much into the compromising position Linc had been tangled in with Jess. “I’ve been awake for a total of ten seconds. Let me catch up.”

“Take your time, sleepyhead,” Brett said before chomping into the side of an apple.

Thea’s hand hadn’t moved from where it covered her mouth, and Brett continued to stand there with his arms crossed and a goofy smile on his face.

Thane walked up beside Jess and pressed his nose to her hand that was hanging off the side of her cot. She groaned and rolled onto her back. “Leave me alone,” she grumbled without opening her eyes.

Brett chuckled. “Good to know she’s grumpy all the time. I thought it was just me she didn’t like.”

Thea slapped Brett’s chest. “She likes you, and she’s not always grumpy.”

Brett gestured to where Jess lay still sleeping. “Looks like she likes Linc too. We caught them canoodling in the barn!”

Linc propped his elbow on his knee and pointed his finger at Brett. “Don’t tell a soul.”

“No dice,” Brett said. “I’m telling everyone. Her reputation will be ruined. The whole county will force you to marry her. It’s shameful, Linc.”

Linc dropped his head into his hand. “I’m too tired to fight with you today.”

Thane licked Jess’s face, and her nose scrunched just before her eyes opened, blinking a few times against the morning light. “What are you…”

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