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to be desperate all over again.
She cupped his cheek with her palm ad smoothed her thumb back and forth
over his lower lip. I thought you needed to be at the diner. You were going to
take me with you, remember?
He wrapped his hand around her wrist and held her still while he sucked on
her thumb. Plenty of time for that. He released her and stood. Come on, he
urged as he tugged on her arm.
Where are we going? She began to scoot off the bed.
When she got to her feet, Vance moved behind her and cupped her ass. God,
she had a lovely shaped ass. To the shower, he replied. It s not just for
cleanliness anymore, you know?
She laughed. You re impossible.
Yep, he said as he watched her walk. Jesus, she was sexy. He d always
been half-crazed for Shayla. Apparently, some things didn t change.
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Chapter Nine
When Vance got out of the truck and jogged around to her side, Shayla held
back. He frowned and opened her door. What?
Are you sure about this? I mean, they might not be so keen on seeing me
after all this time.
He leaned down, placed a tender kiss to her lips and whispered, It s going
to be fine. You ll see.
Shayla let out a long breath and unsnapped her seat belt. Vance helped her to
the ground. They re not going to bite, honey, he said as he slammed the truck
door shut behind her.
Why not? You did.
He chuckled and took possession of her hand. I m allowed.
With him so close, Shayla felt better, until they stepped into the diner and
she came face-to-face with Sam Jennings. It was abundantly clear he and Vance
were related because they had the same messy dark hair and hazel eyes. But
Vance was bigger, more muscular. Unfortunately, Sam looked about as
welcoming as a cougar. The cold look he gave her rivaled the frigid temperatures
outside.
Vance nudged her forward and said, You remember Sammy, don t you?
She didn t know whether to hold out her hand for him to shake or not. His
expression said not, so she merely stood there. Hi, Sam, it s good to see you
again. She smiled in an attempt to break the ice. It didn t work.
Vance said you were back in town. Here to stay this time?
Vance s Rules
All work seemed to grind to a halt, and everyone in the room stared at her as
if anticipating her answer. Now she understood what fireflies must feel like
when little kids trapped them in jars so they could watch them helplessly flit
around.
Yes, she said firmly as she stood a little straighter. She needed to make
herself perfectly clear. She needed Vance s family to know she wasn t the coward
she once was. If nothing else, her father s strict upbringing had taught her to
stand her ground. I ve moved my business here permanently. I have absolutely
no intention of leaving.
Sam s gaze narrowed a second. She held her breath. When he gave her a
sideways grin, Shayla about fainted dead away. One down, three more to go.
As another man stepped forward, a flirty grin on his face, Shayla thought
maybe it was Brodix. He d changed over the years, the way they all had. Brodix
had gotten taller and broader than she d remembered. His dark hair was neatly
trimmed, and although he d been working in dust, he looked freshly showered.
His grin was every bit as wicked as always, she noticed too. That, at least, hadn t
changed.
Brodix, she said. It s nice to see you again.
Looking good, Shayla, he said, as he opened his arms for a hug. Shayla
was only too happy to step into them, relieved that at least he wasn t shooting
daggers at her.
When he released her, she said, Thanks, you too.
You ever get tired of this lug he pointed a thumb in Vance s direction
just yell.
Lay off, Brodix, Vance gritted out as he moved up next to Shayla and slung
an arm around her neck. Find your own redhead.
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Anne Rainey
Out of the corner of her eye, Shayla saw someone punch Brodix on the arm.
When he moved to the side, she saw the twins, River and Reilly. They had
shaggy black hair and the palest green eyes Shayla had ever seen. Sexy didn t
even begin to cover it. Boy, they d sure grown up since she d last seen them.
Twelve years ago, the twins had been rather gangly, all long limbs and not a lot
of meat. They d definitely filled out since then. One of them smiled at her, but
the other only stared, no expression at all to give away his feelings toward her. It
was almost more disconcerting than Sam s scowl. Was the animosity directed at
her because of the way she d broken up with Vance? Oh, man, probably. Shayla s
stomach did a free-fall when she realized that Vance s family had every right to
hate her for what she d put Vance through.
Vance pointed to each of them in turn and said, Reilly and River. And if
you re ever confused which is which, just know that River is a bit like Eeyore,
walks around pouting all the time.
Not true, he grumbled. I smile plenty.
It s like pulling teeth, and you know it, a feminine voice from behind River
said. When he stepped to the left, Shayla saw a tall, thin woman with dark hair
up in a ponytail and white dust all over her face and clothes. She wore a mask
over her mouth and nose, and Shayla wondered if she was sick or something.
She yanked the mask off and stepped forward. Hi, I m Jeannette, she said
as she held her hand out.
Shayla took her hand, surprised by the strength in the young, petite woman.
Shayla, she said.
Pleased to meet you, Shayla. She brushed a hand over her face, and dust
fell to the floor. Don t mind the mess. River s been teaching me how to sand
drywall.
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Vance s Rules
River chuckled and yanked on the woman s ponytail. I tried to tell you it
was a messy job, but you wouldn t listen.
Hey, men aren t the only ones allowed to get a little dirty, she said,
bobbing her eyebrows.
Shayla heard Reilly snort. I think you have more dust on you than the floor,
sweets.
As the three of them bantered back and forth, Vance leaned close and said,
Jeanette is a friend of the family. She and River have been pals for years.
Shayla turned toward him and smiled. You have a terrific family. You re
very lucky. She heard the door open behind her, and she turned to see a slightly
plump, grey-haired woman. Wanda, Shayla realized, and another woman who
she didn t recognize. Wanda s companion was beautiful. She had long dark hair
and the kind of curvy body Shayla only dreamed of having. In comparison,
Shayla felt short and fat.
Here comes the best of the lot, Sam said as he closed the distance and
pulled the dark-haired beauty in for a big bear hug. Soon the pair were kissing,
and Shayla heard a few catcalls from Vance s brothers. As they pulled apart, it
was clear to Shayla they were deeply in love. She envied them right off. Would
Vance ever look at her that way?
Earlier it d been abundantly clear that Vance hadn t been able to get enough
of her body, but that was merely sexual desire and a seriously poor substitute for
love. Would he ever see past the exterior? She wanted more than simple lust
from Vance? Shayla s heart sank at the idea he might not ever give it though.
Wanda spotted her, and her eyes rounded. Shayla, dear, I had no idea you
would be here.
Shayla crossed the room and let Wanda pull her into her arms. It s
wonderful to see you again, Wanda, she said, meaning every word. She d
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Anne Rainey
always considered Wanda a second mom when she and Vance had dated. Shayla
had missed her nearly as much as Vance when her father had moved them away.
You too, dear. Shayla helped the older woman off with her coat. Has
Vance been treating you well?
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