Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)(75)

“Your mother wouldn’t buy a lion.”

“You sure about that?”

Annabelle thought about May’s eclectic menagerie. “Um, no. Not really.”

They drove onto the ranch only to see a shiny new red truck parked by the house. It was big, with massive tires and an extended bed.

Shane slowed his truck and stared. “Because the Cadillac wasn’t enough?” he muttered.

“Cadillac?” She stared at the truck. “You think Clay bought it?”

“No one else would want anything that flashy. That has my little brother written all over it.”

“When does he arrive?”

Shane came to a stop and turned off the engine. “Earlier this afternoon.”

She glanced toward the truck and saw a man standing on the porch. He was obviously a Stryker brother—with dark hair and eyes. The same broad shoulders and long legs. But he was also different.

He wasn’t just good-looking. He was handsome in a whole other league, his features just a little more perfect than everyone else’s. And his appeal didn’t stop there. The man had an amazing body, expertly shown off in tight jeans and a formfitting T-shirt.

“You can close your mouth now,” Shane grumbled.

Annabelle tore her gaze away from Clay. “My mouth wasn’t open.”

“It kind of was. Don’t worry. We’re used to it. Clay has always been the pretty one in the family. Try not to drool. It makes things awkward.”

He was joking. Sort of. She looked at Shane and thought of how much she enjoyed everything about him. Then she undid her seat belt and leaned toward him.

“You’re very concerned about my reaction to your brother. I think the person you really have to worry about is your bathing lady.”

As she spoke, she put her hand on the back of his head and drew him to her. When he was close enough, she leaned in and kissed him. She thought about how he made her laugh and how she looked forward to spending time with him. Then she thought about all the ways he amazed her in bed and let her kiss do the talking, so to speak.

When she finally drew back he smiled. “Nice.”

She raised her eyebrows.

“I got the message,” he added.

“Good. Remember that.”

As she got out, she wondered if Shane’s reaction to her looking at Clay had been about her or if this was another example of his dealing with his ex. Had she been a little too interested in Shane’s brother? Because if she had been, this was more proof of Annabelle’s uphill journey to prove she was someone Shane could trust. That she would never betray him or trick him or hurt him.

Easy enough to say, she thought. But much, much harder to prove.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“I’M SO HAPPY,” MAY said, checking the roast she’d put in the oven, then closing the door and straightening. “All my boys are home with me.”

Shane collected plates and flatware to set the table, as instructed. “Were you this excited when I moved back?” he asked, his voice teasing.

“Of course,” his mother assured him.

“Only Clay’s a little more special,” Rafe called from the sideboard by the table. He pulled the cork from the bottle of wine May had insisted they would have with dinner.

“He’s rarely here,” May told them both. “That makes it special.”

“Face it,” Rafe said, returning to the kitchen to get the wineglasses. “He’s her favorite.”

May put her hands on her hips. “I love all my boys the same. You two know it, too.”

Rafe paused to kiss her cheek. “We do, Mom. But sometimes it’s fun to mess with you.”

It was just the four of them for dinner that night. Heidi and her grandfather had gone into town to leave the Strykers to enjoy their reunion in private.

Clay strolled into the kitchen and walked up to his mother. “You’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you,” he said, pulling her close and hugging her. When he released her, he turned to Rafe. “Hey, there’s some white dress upstairs. You know anything about that?”

Rafe narrowed his gaze. “You didn’t touch it, did you?”

“No.” Clay held up both his hands. “I just looked.” He winked. “Marriage, huh? What does she see in you?”

“More than she’d see in you.”

Clay slapped him on the back then turned to Shane. “See my truck?”

“It’s hard to miss.”

“If you ask real nice, I’ll let you drive it.”

Shane grinned. “No, thanks. By the way, I took the Cadillac to San Diego. Got it all broken in for you.”

Clay’s dark eyes widened. “No,” he said slowly. “You didn’t.”

“That baby can corner and she’s got some speed in her.”

Clay lunged forward, Shane ducked out of the way, then caught his brother as he turned. The mock wrestling had May shrieking at them to stop. She grabbed a dishtowel and attacked them both with it.

“Not before dinner,” she yelled, slapping them in rhythm with her words. “Stop it, both of you. This is the first time our whole family has been together in three years and you’re not going to ruin it.”

Shane released Clay and straightened. He glanced at Rafe, who stared at May. Clay looked just as uncomfortable as he straightened his shirt.