Gin Fling (Bootleg Springs, #5)(102)

“Good. Now, a word of warning. Gibson and Scarlett aren’t gonna make it easy on you. They’re hot-headed like their daddy. You’re gonna have to impress upon them how important it is that this doesn’t leak. Because if there’s even a whisper of the truth, whoever sent Christian Harrell after Shelby will try again.”

I nodded. I would do whatever it took to keep Gibs and Scarlett in line if it meant Shelby would stay safe. “I won’t let anyone do anything to jeopardize her safety.”

“You’re a good man, Jonah. Just like your brothers,” he said.

“Sorry for ruining the wedding for you,” I said.

His mustache twitched. “My daughter married the love of her life last night. Far as I can see, nothing got ruined ’cept maybe Misty Lynn’s designs on your brother.”

I’d forgotten all about her hissy fit. “I have a feeling she’ll survive.”

“Appreciate your time, Jonah,” he said, all business again. “Now, why don’t you get your girl and take her home? Word on the street is she’s gonna be discharged within the hour.”

“Thank you, sir.”





*



True to the sheriff’s prediction, Shelby was discharged an hour later. She had a concussion, a lot of bruising, and a very empty stomach.

“All things considered, I feel pretty good,” she chirped as I buckled her into the car.

“All things considered, you look pretty good, too,” I said, leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose. She looked awful. Her eye was swollen and purple. Her throat was bandaged. There were bruises all over her arms, and she winced every time she moved.

Scarlett arrived with a change of clothes for Shelby, shorts and an Enjoy the Journey t-shirt. The rest of us were still in our wrinkled, bloodied wedding gear.

“My parents said that Gibson got a hold of Henrietta Van Sickle, and she’s okay,” Shelby said. “She saved my life. I’m so glad she wasn’t eaten by a bear.”

“About that bear—” I began.

“Jonah, I am starving,” she complained. “I barely had anything for dinner last night thanks to the sex in the shed—did I tell you I had to confess that part to Sheriff Tucker? Talk about embarrassing. And I know you just want to drag me home and tuck me in bed, but if I don’t eat something soon, my body will go into starvation mode and start hoarding fat, and it’ll probably trigger a flare.”

I sighed, dropping my head against the seat. I was so tired. But a sit-down with the family might be what we both needed.

I cracked open an eye and looked at the clock on the dashboard. “We’ve got enough time to make the wedding brunch.”

“Yay!” she said. “Ow.”

“We’ll stay long enough for you to eat, and then we’re going straight home, and I’m not leaving your side for at least the next six years.”

“That sounds fair,” she said, lacing her fingers through mine.





58





Jonah





The Brunch Club restaurant put us in the back room tucked away from curious eyes. The whole town woke to the news that Shelby had been abducted from Bowie and Cassidy’s wedding and then escaped, heroically injured.

I imagined the rumors would reach their peak by evening.

I settled her in on the padded booth and took the chair across from her. Jameson and Leah Mae were on our left. Scarlett and Devlin on our right. Gibson strolled in with a frown on his face.

“What’s with the face?” Shelby asked.

“Someone broke into my truck last night. Wallet’s missing.”

“Brunch is on us,” Jameson promised.

“I think it was Misty Lynn,” Shelby announced. I nudged her water glass toward her. “My memory’s a little foggy since I was conked in the head. But I remember following Misty Lynn out to the street. She broke your truck window with a paver from the Tuckers’ flower bed and was rummaging around inside.”

My focus was on Shelby, but I noticed that Gibson’s expression went stony.

“I think we’re gonna need Jayme,” he said quietly.

“Already called her around six this morning,” Devlin said, glancing at his watch. “She should be here—”

“Now what disaster have you inserted yourselves into, Bodines?” Jayme, our family attorney, strutted into the room in city black. She tucked her designer sunglasses into her designer bag and made a beeline for the coffee carafe.

George and June entered behind her, my mom on their heels.

“You’re gonna need something stronger than that,” Mom announced, whirling in and wrapping Shelby in a gentle hug. “So glad you’re okay, sweetie.”

“Thanks, Jenny,” Shelby said, hugging my mom back. “Me, too. You should be pretty proud of your son.”

“I am every day,” she said, leaning in and hugging me hard.

“You two can’t scare me like that ever again,” she said, switching into mom mode.

I laughed.

“Jayme, I need to talk to you,” Gibson said, trying to drag our attorney’s attention away from the caffeine she was mainlining.

Reading his expression, my mom rose and went to him. “What is it?”