Kris rested her head on her arms at the worktable, lulled to sleep by the tinkering sounds of Charlie and Frank working. She’d been at the shop since five that morning, and lack of sleep from dreaming of Edmund caught up with her. She yawned again, scrunching her eyes shut, and attempted to catch a short cat nap. They were having dinner tonight, and she was beyond excited after the success of last night.

For dinner in Green Valley, there was either the bar, the diner, or driving about an hour away, so she’d decided to cook him some of her Grams’s famous chili and corn bread. She even made a pie for dessert at three in the morning when she’d given up on sleeping.

A quiet thud in front of her startled her awake. She lifted her head and stared into Edmund’s shining eyes. “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you up from your nap. Coffee?”

She breathed deeply, and the strong smell wafted over her. “Lifesaver,” she mumbled and picked up the warm paper cup to cradle in her hands. No matter how hot outside it was, coffee was coffee. She sipped on it and smiled in thanks. As she sat on her stool, she let her eyes roam over his face and his dripping wet hair. “Did you run out of the shower or something?”

“For you, I might,” he flirted. “You were right about that storm. It started raining as soon as I left the diner.”

Kris stood and walked to the garage door as the rain trickled down, barely a drizzle, but the dark clouds on the horizon promised one hell of a storm. “Should be a good one,” she announced. “I love the rain.” She closed her eyes as the raindrops thrummed on the roof of the shop, washing the heat of the day away. “Tonight, for dinner, we might have some company.”

“Where are we going?”

“Surprise,” she said, “but I promise you’ll love the food. The company might be a bit rough, but I think you can handle yourself.”

“Not Grams, is it?” he asked hesitantly. “I’m pretty sure she’s still miffed at me.”

“She does tend to hold grudges, but she won’t do anything at dinner,” she told him then clamped her lips shut and tilted her head. “She won’t do anything terrible.”

He grinned, and the scar on his cheek appeared with his dimples. She reached out a hand, three fingers already bandaged from her morning work, and brushed them along this cheek. He stilled, the muscles in his neck straining, and his eyes fell to her curious gaze.

“What happened there?” she asked softly as her hand fell away. He caught it for a moment and let it go, swallowing hard.

“An accident with a horse,” he said. “I was ten. The horse freaked and threw me off, and I haven’t been on a horse since.”

“Don’t you work with horses?”

“I work in the business of them, but no, I don’t go to the stables and I don’t ride.”

“We’re going to have to change that.” She nodded as she drank her coffee, and he shook his head. “Oh, come on, you can’t be afraid to ride for the rest of your life.”

He picked at his coffee cup as he mumbled, “I never said I was afraid to ride.”

“Thursday, you’re coming with me to work on Mr. Fitz’s tractor.”

“What does that have to do with horses?” he asked through a laugh.

“He has a stable for retired horses,” she explained as the first flash of lightning split the sky and thunder rumbled the ground beneath their feet. “He encourages people to come out and ride them, give them attention now and again. They’ll be gentle,” she promised and squeezed his arm. “Thanks for the coffee, but I have to get back to work.”

He placed his hand over hers on his arm. “No problem. Where do you want me to meet you for dinner later?”

“I’ll pick you up,” she said. “There’s an umbrella over there if you want to borrow it.”

He tossed his empty coffee cup in the trash, and when he leaned back, he planted a sweet kiss on her cheek. “I like the rain, too,” he whispered and walked out into the storm. She laughed as he jogged through the downpour and reached the inn doorway, waving over his head before he walked inside.

“Be still, my beating heart,” Charlie whined in a high-pitched voice behind her.

Kris only sighed before she walked back to the old truck she’d been working on for the past week. “You think he’s alright?” she asked after a while.

“What do you mean?” Charlie asked.

“I mean, he… There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the guy? You don’t get any bad vibes from him?”

“Well, I’m not the one who sucked face in front of the whole town,” Charlie said and ducked when she chucked a rag at his face. “No, I don’t get any vibes. Should I?”

She tightened another bolt before she answered. “He was stood up at his wedding.”

Charlie shrugged. “That sucks, but he seems like a good guy. Sometimes, things just don’t work out. Did he tell you why she left him at the altar?”

“No, I lost our bet last night,” she grumbled. “He just said it was a long story.”

“Then tonight, ask him to tell you the truth. If he doesn’t, I might worry something was wrong,” Charlie suggested. “Until then, enjoy the ride.”

Kris chewed her tongue as she dug into the truck’s engine and worked on it the rest or the day, her mind wondering over the various reasons why a woman would choose not to marry someone like Edmund. He was a gentleman and a damn good kisser.

When Charlie and Frank punched out for the day several hours later, Kris set her tools down and cleaned herself up in the bathroom in the garage, washing off the oil and grime from the day. She tugged off her jumpsuit and hung it up on the hook as she changed out of her shorts and tank into snug-fitting jeans, her boots—since the rain had yet to let up–and a strapless top beaded across the bottom. She fluffed her hair the best she could and worked on her makeup—just a light touch to emphasize her soft cheeks and hazel eyes. Once she was ready, she blew out a shuddering breath, worried about Dennis and Grams behaving themselves tonight.

Rain pounded against the roof as she picked up the tow truck keys, the only vehicle she owned besides the Judge, and texted Edmund to be ready to jump in when she pulled up. The truck barreled across the road and parked in front of the inn. Edmund ran out into the rain and yanked the door open, dripping wet.

“Hell of a night,” he said as he wiped water from his face.

“Hope you’re ready for some homemade chili,” she said excitedly and drove down the two-lane road until she turned onto the gravel drive leading to the scattered row of small houses.

“Sounds great. I didn’t know you cooked.”

“I attempt it,” she admitted with a laugh. “I only make a few things well, and chili is one of them. And pie. I make a fantastic chocolate bourbon pecan pie. I hope you’re hungry.”

She pulled up in front of the tiny house she shared with Dennis, and when the headlights hit a familiar beat-up truck, she slammed on the brakes and threw the tow in park. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the wheel tightly and ground her teeth in an effort to keep her anger under control.

“Kris?” Edmund asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She unclenched her hands from the steering wheel. “Nothing at all. Just some unexpected guests.”

“Who are they?”

She pulled her cell from her pocket and texted Dennis. “My parents.”

“And that’s bad?” he asked confused.

“Not ideal, I can tell you that much,” she muttered and waited for her brother to text her back. He told her they showed up an hour ago, just dropped in and claimed they didn’t have a place to stay. She knew Grams wouldn’t let them anywhere near the inn because they had destroyed a room the last time they’d stayed there. Dennis promised they were sober—for the most part—and that Grams threatened to drag her by her ears if she didn’t get her ass inside. She slammed her head against the headrest and glared at the ceiling of the cab.

This was not what she intended to happen when she’d invited Edmund over for dinner. Grams and Dennis were enough to deal with on their own, but her drunken parents? Sober for the most part meant they were drunk, and a drunk Sharon and Leroy were not fun to deal with. And if they were back in town, it wasn’t for a friendly visit. They wanted something. They’d stay for a few days, beg for money, and take off once they’d gotten it.

Not this time. Kris wasn’t going to give them a dime.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he assured her as he reached for her hand. “I can handle myself.”

“Around these people? They’ll give you a run for your money,” she grumbled. “Damn it. Of all the times for them to pop in for one of their visits, they choose now.”

“I’ve dealt with worse, guaranteed,” he said as he squeezed her hand. Gently, he reached out and turned her to face him. “I’ll survive, I promise, and I won’t hold any of this against you.”

She wanted to believe him, but he’d never met her parents. They were manipulative assholes who cared nothing for their family. Her cell chirped again, and she groaned. “Grams is giving us thirty seconds to get our asses inside before she makes a scene.”

“Then let’s get inside,” he said quietly as he leaned in closer.

Kris met him the rest of the way, and as their lips connected, desires flared to life of being in his arms all night long. Of learning what it meant to be with a man. She clenched her hands in his shirt, dragging him even closer, but her cell chirped again and she grimaced.

“Time’s up,” he muttered, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Ready?”

“I’m never ready for them,” she muttered but jumped out of the cab. Edmund followed her quickly through the rain to the front porch, and they shook out their hair. “Right, here we go.” She opened the door and stepped inside. The house was tiny, and there was no wall separating the small living space from the tiny kitchen with a table barely big enough for four. “Here we are.”

“My baby girl!” Sharon squealed and leapt to her feet. “Oh, I’ve missed you, honey! Give your momma a hug!”

Kris’s smile faltered as Sharon hugged her so tightly she could barely breathe. “Hi, Mom,” she said and waited impatiently for her to let go. “I didn’t know you two were going to be in town.” She looked into the kitchen, and her smile froze when she saw they’d already dug into dinner without asking or waiting. “And please help yourselves to the dinner I prepared for my guest.”

“See, told you she didn’t mind,” Leroy called from the table with a mouthful of chili.

Grams shot daggers at him, and Dennis, who sat next to the man, scowled. He picked at his food. “I told them to wait, but they said they hadn’t eaten all day,” he told Kris stiffly.

Leroy nodded as he picked up the whiskey bottle and poured more into his glass of pop. “Damn right we hadn’t. Been on the road for three days straight and only stopped for gas and so your mom could take a piss.”

Kris hung her head, wishing she could disappear into a hole. Edmund didn’t need to see any of this, but to her surprise, he stepped closer and held out his hand to Sharon. “Edmund Eastwood, pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

“That’s a fine name you have there, son,” Sharon purred as she shook his hand. “Sharon Rivers, and that’s my husband Leroy. I didn’t know you were bringing a man friend over, honey.”

“Just passing through town,” Edmund said smoothly. “My car broke down. Kris has been gracious enough to show me around town and invite me to dinner.”

“Well then, please, come on in,” Sharon said and wrapped her hand around his arm.

Kris mouthed an apology to Edmund as Sharon dragged him to the table. Grudgingly, Kris followed and caught Grams scrutinizing Edmund. She knew, sooner or later, the old bat was going to grill Edmund about his life and why he was out in the middle of nowhere when he’d broken down. Kris only hoped she’d wait until Sharon and Leroy vacated the premises. Sharon set a full bowl of chili in front of Edmund and asked him if he wanted some whiskey.

“I’ll pass for now, thanks,” he said politely and ate a spoonful of chili. “This is great, Kris, really.”

“My old recipe,” Grams said before Kris could speak.

“Well, it tastes great, better than anything I’ve had where I’m from,” he said, winking at Kris as she stalked to the counter. She wanted to sit by him, but no one offered her a seat in her own house, so she stood by Grams and watched her family warily.

“And where are you from?” Leroy asked.

“Louisville,” he said. “My family owns several businesses, but I decided I needed a break for a few weeks.”

“And you came to Green Valley? This shitty town can’t offer you anything,” Leroy muttered.

“It hasn’t been bad so far,” Edmund said lightly. “I’ve quite enjoyed my stay here.”

“You won’t for long, trust me,” Leroy growled, suddenly serious as he leaned over the table and pointed his spoon at Edmund. Kris gripped the counter, ready to butt in if she needed too, but Sharon laughed in her high-pitched squeal that told Kris she was already drunk.

“Leave him be, Leroy. He’s just passing through. He’s our daughter’s guest.”

“What are your intentions with our daughter?” Leroy snapped. “Better not be taking advantage of my baby girl.”

Edmund rested his hands flat on the table as Kris held her face in hers, muttering curses quietly under her breath. “I’ve done no such thing.”

“That's not what I heard around town,” Dennis mumbled into his bowl.

“Speak up, son,” Leroy grunted and smacked Dennis on the arm. “What did you say?”

“I said that’s not what I heard around town,” Dennis said louder and leered at Edmund. “I heard you were getting quite friendly at the bar last night.”

“Yes, we kissed,” Kris sputtered. “Can we get over it? People kiss, it’s not a big deal.”

“It is when you’re my kid sister,” Dennis warned.

Kris stormed around the counter and aimed a finger at Dennis. “Don’t you dare pull that big brother shit on me. Or you, Dad,” she snapped as he opened his mouth to chime in. “None of you get a say about what I do with my life or my free time, so shut up and eat your damn chili or get out of my house.”

“Oh, we can’t leave, honey,” Sharon said sweetly and took her hand. Her eyes widened, and Kris sighed inwardly, knowing exactly what was coming. “We have no place to stay.”

“I thought you had an apartment?” Grams chimed in.

“We did, but the landlord evicted us a week ago,” Leroy huffed. “He claimed we didn’t pay our rent. Called the cops on us three times.”

“Let me guess, drunk and disorderly,” Kris muttered.

“No, no, nothing like that,” Sharon claimed, but Kris wasn’t an idiot. She’d learned, over the years, not to believe anything her parents told her unless they had proof to back it up. “We need a place to crash for a few days, just until we’re back on our feet and have some money to move on.”

“You came to the wrong house if you’re looking for money,” Kris said and tugged her hand free. “I have nothing to give you if I want to pay my bills this month, so don’t ask.”

Sharon’s eyes hardened, but the smile stayed on her face. “We wouldn’t dream of it, honey. Just a place to sleep.”

“I have no extra beds,” she argued, but Grams cleared her throat loudly. “I mean, of course you can stay here. I’ll stay in town or something.” She waited for her parents to assure her that wasn’t necessary, but neither one spoke. There was a couch in the garage. She’d bunk there for a few nights. No way in hell was she staying anywhere near her parents. Her valuables were locked up in the safe at the garage. She excused herself for a minute and giving Edmund an encouraging smile, stalked to her bedroom to pack some clothes.

* * *

Edmund watched Kris walk down the short hall and wanted to follow but knew getting up and leaving the table filled with her family might send the wrong message. Her parents were drunk, that wasn’t hard to tell, but the death glare Dennis kept shooting him wasn’t as unnerving as the way Grams watched him like a hawk, ready to dive in and make the kill if he slipped up.

“You never told us what your businesses were,” Sharon said, resting her hand on Edmund’s.

“My family owns several stables, and we own the Woodland Whiskey River distillery,” he told them and mentally kicked himself for answering her truthfully. The sudden greed in her eyes, and in Leroy’s, was worse than any he’d seen amongst those of his circle. “I only see parts of the business, though. My dad runs the main business.”

“I’m sure you get your fair share of it all,” Leroy leered.

“I do well enough,” he hedged and leaned back to look down the hall. “If you’d excuse me for a moment. Where’s the restroom?”

“Down the hall,” Dennis directed. “Can’t miss it.”

Edmund smiled and stood, but when he reached the bathroom, he turned to the right and found Kris sitting on a narrow bed, glaring at an empty duffel bag on the floor at her feet. “What are you doing?” he asked, crossing his arms and his ankles as he leaned against the wall.

“Regretting my decision to invite you over,” she muttered darkly.

“And what’s with the bag?”

“I’m not staying if my parents are here. There’s a couch in the garage. I’ve slept on it before, and I’d rather be there than here, warding them off.”

“Why don’t you stay at the inn?”

“Nah, then I’m in a room that Grams has a spare key to.” She burst out laughing when his face went rigid. “Oh, yeah, spare key. How do you think she cleans your room?”

Edmund hung his head. “I wish you hadn’t told me that.”

“Just like I’m sure you wish I hadn’t brought you here. I’m really sorry about tonight,” she apologized, cringing.

“It could’ve been worse, I’m sure,” he told her. “Why don’t we just go?”

“You didn’t even eat much,” she said, sounding defeated.

He walked into the room and crouched, holding her hands. “I’ll survive, I promise. Besides, I have plenty of beer in my room at the inn.”

She glanced past him out the door when her mom cackled again and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. I just have to pack some clothes.”

“I’ll help,” he said, but she shoved him out the door with a laugh. “What, afraid I’ll see something… panty-related?”

She gave him another shove, laughing. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

Edmund walked back to the kitchen and all eyes fell on him, which erased his smile. “I checked on Kris while I was there,” he told them, clearing his throat as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

Dennis pushed to his feet, and Edmund cursed quietly at the size of the man. He towered over Edmund, who was no small man himself. “I don’t know what you’re planning to do with my sister,” he whispered, “but she’s my sister, and if you hurt her, you’ll have me to deal with. Understand?”

Edmund straightened his shoulders and raised a single eyebrow. “I do, but I’m not sure she wants you in her life like that.”

Dennis growled and took a step forward when Kris called his name. “Get away from him right now, Dennis, or I’ll deck you myself.”

“Where are you going, sweetie?” Sharon asked. “We were just getting to know your friend and learning about his business in Louisville.”

Kris hoisted her duffel higher on her shoulder until Edmund reached out and took it for her. “I’m going to take Edmund back to the inn. He’s not feeling well. I’m staying at the garage while you’re in town. Make yourselves at home—oh, wait,” she said sarcastically, “you already did. Enjoy the chili.”

Kris stormed out of the house, and Edmund waited a beat before following. “Nice meeting you all,” he called over his shoulder. The front door closed tightly behind him. He tossed the duffel in the back seat and pulled his body up into the cab. “Beer?”

She started the truck and nodded. “Beer. Lots and lots of beer.”