Chapter 22

"Let me see that thing." June snaps the black American Express card out of my hand. "It's black!"

"Aren't they all black?" At my response, she bursts into laughter.

"No, Richie Rich, they"re not." June tries to bend the card, but it's metal. "I still can't believe you"re some filthy rich heiress." I'd spent lunch telling June who I truly was. I didn't want to continue lying to her. She hadn"t been too shocked.

"I am not," I hiss, glancing around to make sure no one can hear us. Not only am I still secretly hiding, but I also don"t want anyone to treat me differently. In Cottonwood, the last name Woods means nothing, and I want it to stay that way. "It's not even my card." I hold my hand out for her to give it back to me.

"Still, you think all American Express cards should be black. That's only for the rich."

"It's your brother's card," I point out. When he dropped me off for one of my afternoon lunches with June, he thrust it upon me. He told me he wanted me to pick up some more things for the house.

"And he wants you to buy items to decorate the house. The same house he would barely let Mom touch." June has a wickedly happy smirk as she says all of this. I don't get a chance to respond. Not that I have much of one, because what she is saying is all true. I"m sure Abigail would be as tickled about this as June is.

I tried to push back, thinking he should be there to help me pick it out. It was his home and his card, but it was an exercise in futility. Once Jackson gets an idea into his head, there is no stopping him. The man can be stubborn. It can be annoyingly charming.

"Do you girls want anything?" Rose inquires while giving Tigger a scratch under his chin. He sits beside me in the booth. He enjoys getting out of the house. I have a harness and leash for him, but he doesn't need it.

"Nah, we're good." June once again snags the card from me. "You can use this."

"June!" I try to grab it back, but Rose is quicker.

"It's fine. We all know Jack is in love. He won't give a shit about paying for his sister and woman's lunch." With that, Rose is off.

I feel my cheeks warm. I haven't gotten used to people seeing me and Jackson as a couple. Everything has happened so fast. Plus, we haven't said the L word yet. There's also the little detail of us not even having had sex yet, too!! Jackson did, however, speak about marriage. He's brought it up a few times. It always makes me feel like there is a jar of butterflies being released inside me when he mentions it.

"Are you blushing at the L word?"

"How do you always know everything?"

"I know my brother loves you." She shrugs.

"He hasn't said it." Neither have I, I remind myself. Even though that's exactly how I feel.

"Trust me, he doesn't have to. It's in everything he does." I can't argue with her there. "I didn't know you were an heiress. But I did know you weren't poor."

"June." I sigh, not wanting to make this a thing.

"What? Don't heirs have trusts and stuff?"

"I think." They don't call us trust-fund babies for no reason.

"You think?!"

"A lot of trusts are done to save money. Taxes and generational wealth. It's all about staying wealthy and keeping the name strong." I roll my eyes. It's all stupid, if you ask me. I'd rather have happiness. I know it's easy to say when you've had money all your life. But I left all that behind and this is truly the happiest I've ever been.

"See, you don't even say rich. You say wealthy."

"June!" I hiss again, seeing Rose heading our way with Jackson's card. June slips Tigger a bite of bacon.

"Right." June sits up straighter but leans forward to whisper, "Money talks, wealth whispers." I snort a laugh. "Do you think we could get that on one of those boards people hang up like those stupid Live, Love, Laugh ones?"

I shake my head, holding back more laughter as June signs for the check. This is one of the things I love about June. She has a way of making light of things.

"Why can't we focus on your love life for once?" I ask June as we make our way out of the diner. I pick up Tigger and put him into my oversized tote.

"I already have a love."

"Horses don't count." I spot Jackson"s truck at the end of the street at City Hall. I wonder what he's up to. He said he had some things to handle.

"Horses do too count." June hooks her arm with mine, guiding me down toward some of the shops.

"What about the vet?"

"What about him?" I nod toward the vet coming out of Mini's bakery.

"Oh shit." June tries to pull me between the diner and the optician's office. For once, she isn't quick enough. Dr. Baxter spots her, calling out her name.

"Why are you trying to hide?" I say it under my breath. "Oh God!" When I see someone I know, I squeak. "Hide!" We both try to turn and get away, but end up running into each other.

"Paisley!" my brother calls after me.

"Fuck me." June rubs her chin where I knocked it with my head.

"Sorry."

"Are you okay?" Dr. Baxter inquires. He tilts June"s chin for a closer look. I notice her cheeks start to turn pink. Wait, is June blushing?

"Stop." June steps back, causing Dr. Baxter"s hand to drop. "I'm fine."

"Paisley." For a moment, I had forgotten about my brother. I'm not sure if I should still be trying to get away from him or hug him. Instead, I only stand there.

"Who's the suit?" June cuts in. I swear, my brother is always in a suit. I can't picture him in anything else. I think he may have been born wearing one.

"My brother." He looks so out of place, standing here in the center of town. He exudes wealth. No one would ever mistake him for being poor.

"Whoa! Hold on here, Mr. Richie Rich." June steps protectively in front of me. "She's not going anywhere."

"What's going on?" Dr. Baxter asks. "Woods says he's been trying to find his sister."

"Okay, newbie." June points her finger at Dr. Baxter. "You don't just tell randoms about the locals." I think I might be newer around here than the new vet, but I keep that to myself.

"Well, if maybe you let me take you out, I could learn all these rules I should know."

"That's enough," my brother cuts in. I can't help but stand up a bit straighter at his firm tone. Even Dr. Baxter takes half a step back. June, however, gives no shits. She doesn't budge.

"Enough of what, city boy?" June has to drop her head all the way back to stare up at my brother. He's always been tall.

Luka might not be built as big as Jackson, but he has always been athletic. He played baseball throughout school, and I believe he ran track too. My parents proudly display many of his trophies and accomplishments in one of their numerous homes.

Luka stares down at June, his brows pulling together. I can't tell if he's annoyed or curious. I'm guessing not many people stand up against Luka. Not even my parents have that privilege anymore. Which makes me wonder why he's here. He has nothing to do with them. Why the heck would he be helping them look for me?

"Why are you here, Luka?" I ask, not wanting June to get out of hand. Because the look in her eyes tells me she's about two seconds from letting loose on Luka.

"You've gotten yourself into some trouble," he finally answers, tearing his attention away from June.

"I think you're the one who has gotten himself into some trouble." June puts her hands on her hips. Oh crap. I haven't known her for long, but I've seen this side of her a few times when drunk men have tried to get out of hand at the bar.

"Your brother doesn't intimidate me, Ms. Graysen." Luka adjusts his tie. "Where is Jackson Graysen? For being the best at his job, he's done a terrible job of handing her over to our parents. It appears that he had no trouble locating her."

"What?" I gasp, trying to understand what he's saying.

"You don't know what the hell you're talking about, asshole." June doesn't miss a beat. Either she doesn"t believe my brother, or she already knows.

"They hired Jackson?" I ask, wanting to be clear.

"They did," Luka says.

"And that's why you're here?"

"He's not taking you anywhere." June tries to wiggle her way back into our conversation. "In fact, we're leaving." She hooks her arm through mine.

"I am not here to return you to our parents. I'm here to get you out of this mess."

"Really?" I remove my arm from June"s.

"Don't trust him." She grabs it back.

"I think it might be best if we get out of here, Paisley." My brother checks his watch, touching the screen a few times. "Before Jackson gets here."

Luka wants me to leave. To just go with him. Can I do that? Without talking to Jackson? I don't have much of a choice to believe anything other than Jackson has been working for my parents. It makes sense. An ache forms in the center of my chest at the thought. Tears are burning in my eyes, but I hold them back. How could I have been so damn dumb and na?ve?

"I told you, she's not going anywhere with you." June's voice is getting louder now.

"Don't worry, June." My brother"s eyes narrow on her. "I'm not done with you yet. I'll be back to clean up." He turns his gaze back toward me. "After I get you out of here. They aren't the only ones looking for you."

"Not done with me? Who the hell does he think he is?" June mutters. "Maybe I'm not done with you."

"Is it Bentley?" I wrap my arms around myself. Thinking about him makes me uncomfortable. Tigger meows, sensing my distress.

"That, and there are other things that might need to be handled."

"Bentley? The loser you're supposed to marry?"

"I was never going to marry him," I say defensively. "What other things?"

"Pais." My brother holds his hand out. I can't remember the last time he called me that. "We need to get out of here. I'll explain more once we're on the move." I may not have been close to Luka growing up, but I know he would never do anything to hurt me.

"You're not taking her." June tries to smack his outstretched hand, but Luka manages to snag her around the wrist. He yanks her forward. Her body collides with his.

"Then you can come along for the ride."

"Fine," she hisses.

"Maybe I should call someone?" Dr. Baxter says, but it comes out like he is asking if he can.

"Do whatever you wish," my brother responds, not letting go of June's wrist. She doesn't fight him.

"Luka!" I follow after them. "I'll go with you. Don't kidnap June."

"It's not kidnapping." He stops walking. "Stay or go?"

"Go! You're not taking my best friend."

"Best friend? One you've been lying to," my brother responds as he starts to walk again.

"It's not like that. I swear." June gives me a pleading expression. I'm not sure what to think. In fact, I keep quiet as we all get into a waiting SUV. June doesn't. "The hell are we going?"

"Fort Brígh." My brother pulls out his phone. I'm sitting between the two of them in the back seat.

"The Army base?"

"Is there another Fort Brígh around here?" Luka answers dryly.

"Why are we going to an Army base?" June grits out between her teeth. She's about to lose it. Her cheeks are all rosy again. I wish I could be as mad as her. I don't know what I feel right now. All I can think about is Jackson. I don't understand.

"It's where my plane is."

"Your plane!" June and I both say at the same time.

"How is your plane on an Army base?" June gapes at him. That's what I was wondering. I'm not shocked he has a plane. Just the location of it at this moment.

"I have friends in high places." Luka smirks.

"That so?" June smirks right back. "I don't think you're as smart as you think you are."

I know that smile. June knows something. Then again, she always does.