Page 67 of One Look

“See, Red’s dad, Henry, was a farmer but also a tinkerer and businessman. I found some really old public records that Amos King and him werepartnersat one time.”

“Partners?” I whispered. “So it was a business deal that went wrong?”

“I think it was more than that. Something about patent rights. Whatever it was, it’s buried.”

“Are you investigating it?” My eyes went wide.

Cass looked around. “Not officially. Huck would be pissed if he knew I was sticking my nose into the Sullivan–King rivalry, but I can’t help it. I just know there’s something there.”

“Something where?” Bug’s voice ripped through our cozy cocoon of whispers.

I withered under her harsh stare, but Cass only smiled and popped another piece of fruit into her mouth. “Bug! It’s good to see you. Loving your new haircut.”

The firm line of her lips cracked enough for me to release the breath I was holding.

“Can I get you ladies any more refreshments?” Bug asked.

I did my best to give a genuine smile and shook my head. Cass had been brought into another conversation, and I was disappointed that I couldn’t hear more about Wyatt’s family and the mystery of the town’s infamous rivalry. It seemed everyone knew about it, acknowledged it, and even took sides, but talking about it was strictly off-limits.

For the rest of book club, I couldn’t stop thinking about the possibilities. Forbidden love. Backdoor business deals. It was all too scandalous to ignore.

22

WYATT

“You don’t thinkthis is too... I don’t know, casual?” Lark looked down at herself as my eyes raked up her body. Annie had invited her out for a night downtown at the Grudge, and Lark had chosen a blue-and-white shirt dress with short sleeves and a matching belt. The long vertical stripes made the perfect path for my eyes to trail over her. The dress was almost to her ankles, but she’d left the line of buttons open starting at midthigh, and wedge heels made her legs look a mile long.

She’d have the attention of every man in town.

A hard lump lodged in my throat. “No.”

“You look so pretty, Lark!” Pickle beamed up at her from the couch, and they shared a smile that nearly broke my heart.

“Thanks, Penny! Are you excited for movie night?”

“Aunt Tootie said we could watchDie Hard!”

I pointed at my little girl. “Not. Happening.”

Tootie came up behind me and patted my back. “Don’t you worry. I’ll fast-forward through the bad parts.”

When my scowl deepened, my aunt and Lark erupted in a fit of laughter.

“That Bruce Willis...” Tootie lifted the front of her shirt to fan herself. “He is something.”

Lark walked over to Penny and ran a tender hand down her hair. The simple maternal gesture looked so natural. “Maybe one of the live-action Disney movies would be a better choice.”

“Beauty and the Beast!” Penny chimed in.

Lark nodded. “Solid choice.”

It was surprising, and kind of nice, not to be the bad guy ruining everyone’sDie Hardfun. “Almost ready?” I asked Lark.

She turned and hit me with her million-dollar smile. We said our goodbyes, and as we left, I held the door. For a casual night downtown, it felt an awful lot like a date.

Once we were in the car, Lark shifted her legs, and the slit up the side draped open, exposing the long, smooth column of her thigh. My hand immediately landed on her silky skin. Our eyes met, but neither of us said a word. Lark only settled herself into the seat and smiled.

“Are the guys meeting you at the bar?”

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