Chirp(86)
Tiffany nodded, and curls flew in every direction. “Oh, he’s gone, all right. His brothers took him to the bar in town. By the time he gets home, he may be three sheets to the wind.”
Hanna spoke up. “No, he won’t. I gave Seth strict instructions not to let that happen.”
Rance
Down at The Roost, Rance leaned back in his chair and eyed Seth. “You get the paperwork done I asked about?”
His brother opened his briefcase, removed a folder, and slid it to him. “Yep. Sign at the arrow.”
“We don’t need a witness or anything?”
“If Wren had asked for the prenup, then yes, we’d want witnesses, but you’d be the only one to contest this, and a handwriting analysis would prove it’s your signature. Besides, are you ever going to tell her about it?”
Rance put the pen to paper. “Probably not, but hell, I knew I needed one when she tried to sell me half of Montgomery Steel for a dollar. She’s a smart girl, but she was letting her heart rule her head. Tongues will wag anyway, but if it’s clear I’m not after her money, claiming her place in the company should be an easier transition. Be sure her uncle and all the board members get copies.”
“Well, this document overrides divorce or transfer of assets. No matter what happens, for the next ten years, if she dumps your ass, you get zilch.”
Quiet until now, Nick leaned forward. “That will never happen. She worships him. We should be so lucky.”
Seth stiffened. “Speak for yourself. My woman waited seven years for me.” He puffed out his chest. “I ruined it for every other dude on the planet.”
“Easy to do when her world stopped at the city limits. Few dudes to tempt her,” Nick teased.
Rance chuckled. “What’s wrong, Nicky? Still can’t round all the bases with Tiffany?”
Nick swigged his beer, then set the bottle down hard. “Nope. She’s making me work for it. Says we should form an emotional relationship before a physical one. All those stories you hear about preachers’ kids being wild—total lie. Tiffany is anything but promiscuous.”
Seth finished his brew and signaled the bartender. Then he turned back to Rance. “Sure you don’t want at least one drink?”
“No, I’m good,” Rance said. “But I’m wondering how much longer it’ll be.”
“Hanna said she’d text when the coast is clear. Until then, we’ve got to hang out here. Wouldn’t want you to see your bride in her dress and start out with bad luck. This time tomorrow you’ll be a married man. Are you nervous?”
“No.”
“No last-minute jitters? No cold feet?”
“None. Why? You having doubts about yours?”
“Nope. Not since Wren told me I can commute to work. Living in Houston during the week and only being here on weekends hasn’t worked for me. I’ve missed Hanna and Noah so much I’ve been miserable.”
The waitress brought the drinks, then sashayed away. Rance turned to Seth again. “I have an offer for you. Actually, both of you. If y’all want to build on Dessie’s place, I’ll deed you some property. Free and clear.”
“I’m in,” Seth said.
Rance laughed out loud. “Damn. I thought you’d at least discuss it with Hanna.”
“Are you kidding? No way in hell she’ll turn down the deal. Do you know we have never had sex in a bed? She won’t do it in her parents’ house because she’s afraid they’ll hear us.”
“Are you serious?” Nick asked.
“Hell yeah. We do in the barn, her shop, the tree house, my truck, her car. Everywhere but the one natural place we should do it.”
“Bummer,” Nick said.
“No shit.”
Rance raised his brows. “Well, I’ll fix that. I’ll get both of you a room for the night. My treat. That way Chirp and I will have the house to ourselves. Now, back to my offer. What about you, Nicky? Interested in building on the property? I bet you can get a coaching job here.”
“No. I like living in Houston.”
“You’d have more time with Tiffany. These once-a-month visits don’t seem to be good enough.”
“I appreciate it, but for now, I’m staying put.”
“I understand. But if you change your mind, the offer is always on the table.” Out of the corner of his eye, Rance caught sight of a man moving toward them. “Holy hell. What is he doing here?”
Seth and Nick both turned, then Seth spoke. “Who is he?”
Rance rose from his chair. “The PI who’s been looking for Chirp.”
39
Rance
Rance wasn’t sure what category to put Tom Fraser in—friend or foe. The man seemed to work both sides of the street. He was out of character for an ex-lawman, and as much as Rance appreciated the head start the PI had given Chirp, the fact remained he still worked for Marla Montgomery.
Tom set his briefcase on the table and stuck out his hand. Rance ignored it. “What do you want?”
Tom pushed his palms out in front of his body as if surrendering. “No need for hostility. I’m here to help, not cause trouble.”
Rance nodded at the last vacant chair. “In that case, take a seat. Only fair to warn you though: nothing—and I mean nothing—will mess up my wedding day.”