“I used to think I was,” he said, half to himself. “Now I’m not sure it matters.”
“It does.” Jack sighed. “Brenne is loyal to a fault, so if she feels something for you, she ain’t gonna be able to just turn it off.”
“What about Gavin Jeffries?”
“What about him?” Jack countered. “I don’t see no ring on my sister’s finger yet. Until then, she’s fair game in my book.”
That’s two MacAllens that have given you their blessings. “Don’t think I don’t appreciate you coming here today and saying this,” Alex said, “but Gavin Jeffries isn’t someone you can dismiss so easily.”
“Why? Because he’s rich. So what? We’re MacAllens.” Jack said the words with absolute confidence, and Alex knew it was useless to try and convince him of the perils of messing with the billionaire CEO.
“And if your sister doesn’t want me?”
Jack shrugged. “Then too bad for you. But you won’t know unless you ask her.” He stood, moving toward the door. With his hand on the knob, he turned back to speak over his shoulder. “Unless you and your tech have something serious going on. Then stay away from my sister. You’ve always been a good friend, Alex Parsons, but I won’t hesitate to clean your clock for you if you break my sister’s heart.”
Alex watched him leave, not sure what to think. He felt a little paranoid, wondering when the next MacAllen brother would pop up to either chastise or encourage him. He didn’t have to wait long to have his answer.
His phone buzzed while he was finishing up some paperwork. It was Jameson. “We need to huddle.”
“Something happen?” he asked, trying to keep the anxiety out of his voice. Although Jack had never been much of a tattletale, Alex couldn’t be sure that he hadn’t mentioned their conversation to any of his brothers.
“Something big. When can you get back to Whiskey River?”
Alex turned to the computer to see how many appointments were remaining. “I won’t be back in until after supper time, I reckon.” His afternoon was booked solid with appointments.
“Meet me at the saloon. We’ll talk then.” Jameson hung up, and Alex did his best to convince himself that the conversation his best friend wanted to have wasn’t about Alex defiling his sister.
The saloon was busy, as it seemed to be most nights lately. There were a few more unfamiliar faces gathered around the tables tonight. The new solar panel factory on the west end of town had opened recently, leading to an influx of strangers on the hunt for a decent salary. So the saloon was fuller, and so was the general store. He’d even run into a line at the pumps of Whiskey River’s sole gas station. Things were changing around here, and that change would only accelerate if Gavin Jeffries had his way.
Alex took a seat at the bar, giving Johnnie a friendly wave. His wife Louisa came forward, a suspicious look on her face. “You’re not strapping in to tie on another one, are you? I didn’t appreciate you stealing my husband away on Valentine’s Day.”
“My sincerest apologies,” Alex said, putting his hands over his heart. “I don’t plan on getting recklessly intoxicated again, Miss Louisa, and if I can make it up to you somehow, just let me know.” He gave her his most charming smile, and Louisa returned his efforts with a pleased nod.
“What are you having then, Doc?”
Before he could answer, Johnnie hustled over to embrace Louisa from behind. “Do you want to explain why you’re smiling at my wife like that, Doc Parsons?”
“I was telling her how much better she could do than you,” he joked in reply.
Johnnie rolled his eyes. “The day a Parsons is better than a MacAllen is the day I eat my cowboy boots.” His eyes shot to the saloon door. “Now I see why you’re here. You’re waiting for the love of your life.”
Alex whipped around, thinking that Johnnie meant Brenne. Instead, he’d found Jameson headed toward him. He swiveled back around on his bar stool and scowled. “Good one, barkeep. Now enough with the chit chat and grab me a beer.”
Johnnie chuckled, putting a glass under the tap. He set it down in front of Alex, then poured another for his older brother. Jameson sat on the stool beside Alex, taking a grateful pull from his glass.
Alex could tell from his friend’s expression that something momentous had unfolded. “What’s going on?” he asked, unable to help himself. He’s found out about me and Brenne, and he’s about to tell me to go to Hell. Or worse.
His palms were sweaty, his mouth dry. Alex took a sip of beer but it tasted like ashes in his mouth. Jameson looked at him, his features heavy. At last, he spoke, but it wasn’t to reveal what Alex expected. “Gavin Jeffries just bought the Hough’s farm. He’s finally making a move. That farm borders our own ranch. It won’t be long before he’s making us an offer we can’t refuse, and then your family’s farm is the next in line.”
Alex’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He watched Jameson gulp down the remainder of his beer, then carry on the conversation with his brother, but Alex didn’t hear any of it. All he could hear was his own thoughts, shouted at top volume inside his skull.
Gavin Jeffries is making his move all right. He’s serious about Brenne, or he wouldn’t be buying so close to her home. How long will it be until that ring is on her finger?
Alex knew he had a choice to make. Should he fight for the woman he needed, or should he walk away? Either way, someone was going to get hurt.
CHAPTER 32
BRENNE
Brenne hugged herself as a burst of cold wind hit the stands. She was alone in the arena’s seating, the entire stadium empty save for herself, her younger brother Mark, and Gavin Jeffries. She’d been to the arena countless times for Mark’s games, but this was the first time she’d ever seen it so empty and quiet.
“Let’s run that one again,” Mark said as he motioned for Gavin to line up a few yards in front of him. “I’m going to throw it, you catch it and start running toward the end zone. You look pretty fast, but I bet I’m faster.”
Gavin took up a position, slightly bent in the approximation of a running back on the line of scrimmage. Mark snapped back, lobbing a gentle toss toward the billionaire. This time, Gavin managed to get his fingers around the ball, but when he pivoted to run, he dropped it.
“Fumble,” Brenne yelled between her cupped hands, then stood up. Why in the heck am I sitting over here by myself?
She’d told Gavin about Mark’s football career, how her baby brother was the star of the team, and Gavin had started agitating to see a game. Brenne had explained about it being off-season, and that practice games didn’t even start until next month, with the actual season starting in fall, but Gavin didn’t see the team’s schedule as a deal breaker.
He’d come to her, announcing that he’d rented the stadium for the day, and that he’d convinced Mark to show him some moves.
“It won’t be the same as a real game,” she’d told him.
“It will be better,” he’d argued, and so here they were, alone in a massive sports stadium, playing catch.