Page 23 of Forbidden Cowboy
Levi and I exchange smirks. What’s the point of arguing? Once they fix on a couple, there’s no talking them out of their decision.
“I’m going to get my signs,” Thomas grumbles away.
“Over here.” Faye loops her arm around mine and one around Levi’s. “Oh, very nice. It seems like you’ve been working out, Mr. Wilde.”
I chuckle, but Levi looks less than impressed about being doted over.
“Right here.” Before I can object, my flat hand is dipped in white paint.
“Hey, now.” Levi pulls away, red paint dripping from his fingertips.
Wilma catches his arm. “Just place your hand right here.”
Our hands are directed to individually framed squares of material. My hand is placed on a red square, while his hand is placed on a white square.
“What ya’ll doing with our handprints?” Levi asks, but I know he’s aware these squares are for the blanket. They’re clearly quilting for us.
“Future quilting.”
“Future or now?”
“That’s not for you to know.”
The duo’s love quilts are all the rage by those who believe. I’ve never been one to believe or not believe. However, I suspect the twins are responsible for throwing Levi and me together, and it makes me wonder just what kind of power they have.
“Perfect.” Wilma carefully stores the prints away. Faye hands us water bottles and paper towels to wash our hands.
The familiar sound of my sisters’ voices draws my attention to the parking lot beside the town hall. Natalie, Josie, Hannah, and the twins, Lex and Rex, tromp around the flower beds spilling with ground foliage and ornamental grass. Their arms are loaded with picnic baskets and coolers, restraining them from waving. Their excited vocal greetings make up for it.
I wave back. “I don’t know what they’re doing here.”
“Tramping on Thomas’ green grass.” Wilma locks the bin like someone will break in for our precious handprints.
Levi touches the small of my back ever so lightly. “I invited them.”
My heart swells. “You did?”
“And they’re not the only ones.”
From the opposite parking lot, a herd of Wilde brothers stop at the edge of the grass. Folding lawn chairs and tents are packed under their arms or over their shoulders.
I see my sisters halt. Tension and hesitation vibrate the distance between them.
I’m getting an old-school Western showdown vibe.
“This might not go the way you planned,” I whisper.
“It has to.”
Chapter Eight
LEVI
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MY BROTHERS PROMISED to be on their best behavior. Not that I’ve ever known them even to have a best behavior.
I wave them over. “We’re going to set up the tents here.” I point to the area away from the trees.