Stealing Hearts (Wild at Heart #1)(42)

“Hi, Mabel. It’s so nice to see you.”

I think they went to high school together.

Mabel leans over the counter to wave to the boys. “What can I get y’all?”

Once we order our cones, we sit in the corner. I set Austin on my knee because he’s not quite himself yet. Gabriel and Paige sit on either side of me.

She takes a lick of her dessert, and suddenly, I’m thinking of other things she’s licked.

I clear my throat. “Paige, you should have your insurance soon. Let’s get your physical therapy scheduled.”

“Thank you. I’m really grateful to have that.”

“We’ll get you whatever you need to get back in top form. I should have that loan deposited by the end of the week, so it shouldn’t be a problem.” I dropped off the signed contract to Harlan on the way here.

The bell over the door rings, and I look up to find Paige’s stepmother, Irma. I’m instantly pissed off knowing she put Paige on the street.

“Incoming,” I mutter. “Boys, here’s some money. Go get a pint of something for your uncles.”

They hop out of their chairs and race to the counter as Irma approaches our table.

She barely glances at Paige. “Why, Rhett Walker, it’s been an age.”

I saw her two weeks ago at the grocery store. “How’s it going, Irma?”

“I was just wondering when you and the boys were gonna come over for dinner. Ty would love to see you.”

Most notably absent from that invitation is my wife.

Paige looks like she wants to curl in on herself. After I scoot my chair back, I grab her hand and tug her into my lap. “Irma, did you hear I got hitched?” I kiss my wife’s temple, and Paige turns a beguiling shade of pink.

“I mean, I heard, but I figured it had to be a rumor.” She looks like she just sucked on a lemon. “I never figured you’d be dating someone so young.”

I scratch my chin. “Wasn’t Paige’s father ten years older than you?”

Paige snorts. “Fifteen years older.”

Irma rolls her eyes. “That was a different time.”

“You still hoarding all those dogs?” I ask because it’s time to cut the crap.

Her mouth drops open. “We’re not hoarding them. We’re breeding them.”

“Do you have a license to do that? Because as far as I know, you’re only allowed five animals unless your property is zoned for agriculture.” She huffs, but I cut her off before she spouts more nonsense. “I’m just thinking you should be nicer to my wife, seeing as how she’s trying to get her bearings in Wild Heart. I’d hate for people to give her a hard time again like they did when she was in high school when some asshole shared my private business with the whole town.”

She pales. “Why… why… I’d never do such a thing.”

“Good to hear it.”

Irma starts to shuffle backwards. “Well, I’d better go. I saw you in the window and just wanted to say hi.”

“Wait. Don’t you want to congratulate my wife on our marriage before you take off?” I ask, just to be a dick.

Her expression goes flat. “Congratulations, Paige. Looks like you got what you always wanted.”

Paige flings her arms around my neck and kisses me. With a huge grin, she looks at her stepmother. “Damn straight I did.”

Fuck, I like this woman.





20





RHETT




As I shove another bite of the grilled cheese and pickle sandwich in my mouth, Paige rushes back to the stove. “Who wants another one?”

It’s the second time this week we’ve had grilled cheese, but everyone’s hands pop in the air, including mine, because these are fucking delicious.

She chuckles when she sees that every Walker man at the table wants one. Jace, Beau, Mav, and my boys all seem to be on a quest to down as many as possible.

I watch as she flips them on the grill. Her face is flushed, and a tendril of hair hangs down from her messy bun.

Beau nudges me. “Careful, or you’re gonna fall for your wife.”

No shit.

I ignore my brother’s questioning look. “Paige organized those files you were bitching about.”

Knowing that she has to wade through my mess is sobering. To be fair, my father was not organized, and I never took it upon myself to do things differently. I had a pile system. It worked until it didn’t.

Beau shouts, “Paige, whatever we’re paying you to deal with our office isn’t enough.”

My wife chuckles as she heads over with another platter of sandwiches that are neatly cut in half. “It’s not so bad.”

She scoops gooey slices and places them on my boys’ plates. They start to shove them in their mouths, but I grunt, “What do we say to Paige for making your favorite dinner?”

“Thank you!” they yell.

“I’m lucky y’all like easy meals.” She scruffs Austin’s head, and he smacks his lips and smiles up at her.

Even Gabriel grins at her today.

Life should always be this easy.

I turn to my youngest brother. “Maverick, how long will you be staying with us? Just asking so I can get enough groceries. You eat like a damn horse.” He came for the wedding, but I’ve barely seen him since.