Into the Storm (Signal Bend #3)(82)
“I expect that’s true. But hear me when I tell you that you have seen her for the very last time. Do you hear?”
Reluctantly, he nodded. “I just…love her.”
Curling his other hand around the back of this *’s neck, Show pulled him out of the van. Before he let him go, he leaned down and said, low, near his ear. “No, hoss. You don’t.” He let him go with a little push, and Isaac took over, putting his hand on the guy’s shoulder and leading him to his black Mercedes.
Show walked over to Badger. “You know who she is?”
“Who? Adrienne? Yeah. Weird, huh?”
“You hit that, and I will be very unhappy.”
“What? No! Show, no!”
“Good. Keep it that way.”
Keith pulled out, and Isaac walked over to Show and Badger. “He’ll stay quiet. He has a gambling thing, and he did some creative accounting to pay a marker. That’s disbarment at least and maybe real time. So we’re good. He’s neutralized.” He looked from Badger to Show. “Everything good here?”
Show nodded. “Yeah. Looks like everything’s working out okay.”
Isaac studied Show for a second, then nodded. “Okay. I’m heading home. Badge, catch.” He tossed the van keys to Badger. “’Night, brothers.”
When Isaac pulled out on his bike, Show held out his hand to Badge. “Toss me the keys, brother. I’m gonna need the van.”
Badge tossed them. “Okay. Just leave ‘em at the front desk, though, when you’re done.” Show nodded, and Badge headed for the house. Show almost stopped him, but then he stopped himself. He didn’t understand why he was cock-blocking a brother over a girl he didn’t know. It was like there was something in the chemical makeup of Bannerman women that made him feel instantly protective. Shaking his head at himself, he followed Badge into the house.
Shannon and Adrienne were sitting together on one of the sofas. When the men came in, the women stood. Shannon asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Show said. “He’s gone. Can I take you ladies out for a steak?”
Shannon smiled broadly and turned to Adrienne, who looked shy. “I’m sorry. I don’t eat red meat.”
“Not a problem,” Show reassured her. “You eat chicken? They’ve got chicken, too.”
“Okay, then. Thanks. Badger—are you coming?”
Badge just gaped like an oxygen-starved fish. Show gave up and rolled his eyes. He slapped Badge on the back. “Yeah, he’s coming. You ready?”
oOo
Later that night, after supper, when Badger had gone home and Adrienne had gone up to her room, Show and Shannon lounged in her sitting room. Show lay back into the corner of her couch, and she lay on him, her head tucked under his chin. He was playing with her hair; she rubbed his belly under his shirt, tracing the long track of scar there.
Supper had been good. They got some attention from the people whose paths they crossed, but that was to be expected. They were going to be a hot topic for a while. Throughout the meal, Shannon continued to send out that vibe of calm or whatever it was. Adrienne was on the quiet side, but not uncommunicative.
Just more of an observer, Show thought. She and Badger had obviously talked a lot during their ride through town in her car and their ride through the woods on horseback. Badger had been easy with her at the Chop House in a way Show had never seen. He usually got tongue-tied when he was around women.
Show thought it a good indication that he really wasn’t trying to get some action. He just liked her. Like a person. Later, when Badge headed home, they’d simply said goodbye—no hug or anything. Show liked that, too.
He wondered what was next for Shannon and her daughter, though—whether this was a one-time deal, or whether there was more in store for them.
“So what’s the plan look like for you and your—Adrienne?”
Lying on his chest, still tracing her fingers over his scar and through the hair under his navel, she said.
“No plan. She’s going back home. We’ve exchanged info, and I’ve invited her to come stay at the inn whenever she wants. Beyond that, it’s up to her. Whatever she wants.”
“What do you want?”
Shannon was quiet for a long time, and Show thought she wasn’t going to answer. But, eventually, she did. “I already have it. This life—this inn, this town. You.” She turned her head up and looked into his eyes. “You. God. I can’t believe how hollow my life was all these years. And I didn’t even know it. I thought I was doing well. I thought I had what I wanted in Tulsa. Everything was just like I planned it. But what I want is here. I’d like to get to know her if that’s what she wants, but Adrienne already gave me everything I could ever want of her. She took my guilt away. Now there’s nothing between me and what I feel for you. I love you so much, Show. I’m so sorry for these last couple of days.”
Show knew what it was that was different. Serenity. Shannon wasn’t just calm. She was serene. He sat up, bringing her with him, and cradled her face in his palms. “Shannon.” He stopped, catching back the words on his tongue. He’d almost asked her something he knew she wasn’t ready for. Too much, right on the heels of all this with her daughter. So he took a breath. “I love you. And I’m glad for you.” She smiled, and he kissed her.