Chirp(47)

Seth brought her in closer and looked over her shoulder. “From the way big bro is watching us, I’d say it’s too late to take my advice. So let’s get his blood really boiling.” Seth twirled her, then pulled her back to him and kissed her cheek.

She stiffened.

“No, don’t do that. Smile and say something.”

She plastered on a fake grin and connected with his eyes. “I’m not good at small talk.”

“Tell me what a good dancer I am.”

“You’re a good dancer,” she told him.

“Say I’m handsome.”

“You are, but you need a haircut.”

Seth chuckled. “Maybe you can help me with that. Rance says you’re a hairdresser.”

“Sure.”

He dipped her, then leaned close to her ear and spoke. “Tell me I’m the world’s best lawyer.”

“But you haven’t practiced law yet.”

“Just say it.”

“You’re the world’s best lawyer.”

“God, you’re easy.” He laughed again.

“Doesn’t Heather ever tell you those things?”

He pulled his brows together. “No, she doesn’t.”

“Then why are you marrying her?”

“Want to know a little secret? Been asking myself that same question the last few weeks.”

“Oprah says doubt means no. Maybe there’s someone perfect right around the corner, and you haven’t realized it yet.” Or through the woods.

“You think?”

“Yes.”

“Well, about that haircut. How about tomorrow?”

“When?”

“I’m an early riser, so come at seven.”

“Okay.”





Rance


Rance rolled one way and then the other. Fluffed the pillow. Punched it down. Finally gave up and came to his feet. After seeing Seth and Chirp together all night, he couldn’t sleep. What the hell was wrong with his brother? He’d be married soon, so why was he being so attentive to her? And on top of all that, she’d eaten it up. Talking. Dancing. Laughing. What had gotten into her?

She couldn’t have a decent conversation with Rance, but she’d turned into a real Chatty Cathy with his younger brother. She’d looked so damn beautiful, she’d taken Rance’s breath away. And Nick. Well, he hadn’t come home last night, so he’d probably gotten laid.

Coffee. Rance needed caffeine. He’d feel better once he had some. He glanced at the clock. Six forty-five.

No telling when baby brother would be home, and Seth was probably still sound asleep. All that dancing had to have worn him out.

Rance sauntered to the bathroom, took a quick shower, pulled on his jeans and new T-shirt, and headed to the kitchen. When he got to the end of the hall, he heard voices on the front porch. He strolled to a good vantage point and peered out. Chirp was cutting Seth’s hair. What the fuck?

He watched as she ran her fingers through the strands, divided a section, and clipped. As she moved around his chair, Seth spread his legs wide for her to get closer. Dammit. A few more inches and his face would be between her breasts.

They were talking, but he couldn’t hear what they were saying. He wished he could. She’d fallen into an easy friendship with Seth, and that bothered Rance. A lot. Maybe because of his strained situation with her, but he intended to change that. As soon as his brothers left he’d get the whole mess straightened out.





Blaze


Blaze caught a glimpse of Rance out of the corner of her eye. “He’s watching us.”

“Good. Let him get an eyeful. I’ll spread my legs apart and you move in closer.”

“What’s the use? It didn’t work last night.”

“Oh yeah, it did. He didn’t have three sentences to say all the way home. He was pissed.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because Rance deserves to be happy, and you make that happen.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yeah. You do. You’re all he talks about when he calls.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. Our dad was a lousy husband but an okay father. At least to me and Nick. Not so much with Rance. They haven’t spoken in years. So, given that wrecked relationship, losing his mother at a young age, his fiancée dumping him for his best friend, and the time he spent behind bars, he has issues.”

Blaze stepped back, eyed her work, and ran her hands through his hair one last time. “That’s better.”

“Want to hear something crazy?” Seth asked.

“What?”

“I don’t want to go home.”

“Then don’t.”

He laughed quietly. “Damn. I wish it was that simple.”

“If I hire you as my lawyer, you can’t repeat anything I tell you. Right?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Right. But money has to change hands. So give me a dollar before you confess.”

She pulled a hundred-dollar bill from her pocket and handed it to him. “You’re hired.”

“Okay. So what do you want to tell me?”

“Nothing, now. But there may come a time when I do. When that happens you’ll be there for me, right?”