Page 63 of With This Ring

“Help yourself to a tour.”

“That’s okay.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to take too much of your time.”

“How about a drink?”

“Sure.” She walked through the kitchen doorway and stilled, a soft gasp escaping her lips. “HGTV should feature this place on one of those dream home shows.” She pointed around the room. “Pristine white cabinets, a huge island with stools...” She snorted. “Side-by-side stainless steel refrigerator and freezer, double ovens... An oak table with eight chairs that would take up my entire house.”

He retrieved two bottles of water from the refrigerator. “It is nice. I like how they decorated it with the black-and-white tile.”

She held her arms out. “Kay and I could teach our roller-skating classes in here and still have room.”

“Have a seat.” He handed her a bottle of water and indicated the table.

She sank down on a chair across from him and took a drink from the bottle. “Thanks.”

“So what’s up?”

Dakota pulled the jewelry box from her pocket and pushed it across the table. “Layla bought these for Shane yesterday and accidentally left them at my store.”

He opened the box. “Nice cufflinks, but I’m not sure why you brought them here.” Closing the box, he slid it back to Dakota. “You should have taken them to my aunt’s house and given them to Layla.”

“No. You need to give them to her and tell her you’re supportive of her decision to get married.”

So that’s what this was about. Dakota was playing mediator between him and his sister. He wasn’t about to take the bait.

She moved her fingers over the jewelry box, her dark eyes locked on his.

Without breaking her stare, he opened his bottle and took a long drink.

“Layla was really upset when she came in for the fitting. Why are you two fighting?” she finally asked.

He set the bottle down on the table. “I have a feeling you already know the answer to that question.”

“You need to talk to her.” She moved the jewelry box to his side of the table again. “Use the cufflinks as a peace offering and tell her you’re sorry.”

“But I’m not.”

“She’s your sister, Hud. You love her, and she loves you.”

“I do love her. That’s why I’m trying to stop her from making the biggest mistake of her life.”

“But she’s old enough to make her own decisions, Hud. It’s your job to be happy for her and celebrate with her, not order her around.”

He took another sip of water. “Did you really come here to give me a lecture about my sister?” He folded his hands and rested them on the table. “And I thought this was going to be a friendly visit.”

“Itisfriendly.”

He could almost read her thoughts. Surely Dakota had already made up her mind about him and Layla, and sharing his side of things would be a waste of time. “I can tell you’re dying to give me your opinion, so go ahead and say it.”

“I think it’s her decision if she gets married.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “Go see Layla and tell her you’re sorry. You’ll be glad you did.”

He huffed out a breath. “If I promise to think about it, will you sit down?”

“Why do you want me to sit down?”

“Because it’s my turn to ask you questions now.” He pointed toward the chair. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“There’s nothing wrong.” She shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”