Cowboy Casanova - Lorelei James [78]
“Do you?” Dalton’s gaze flicked to the banker. “What were you and Talbot talking about?”
“Nothing important. Why?”
“We were just wondering if you were asking him about a loan, to cover, you know, your portion. Because if this is about money, we can front you some cash—”
“It’s not about money. Jesus.” His cheeks heated. “I said I’d take care of it.”
“See that you do because we don’t wanna lose out on this,” Tell warned.
Then they took off, leaving Ben to brood.
Fifteen minutes later, Chase slumped against the wall next to him. “You been hidin’ over here the whole time?”
“Hiding.” Ben snorted. “As if anyone could hide in here. I’m glad Mom and Dad built that three-season room or we’d only get to invite half the family.”
“Neither of us would’ve minded that.”
“True. But Mom’s really happy everyone is at our place for a change. Seems we’ve always had to go to Uncle Carson’s house for get-togethers.”
Chase sipped his beer. “How much do you think Mom’s happiness has to do with Gavin showing up?”
“Some, I reckon. But I also figure that’s the reason the whole fam-damly is here. To get a good look at him. No offense, bro.”
“That’s what I thought too. I still think it’s weird he ain’t stayin’ here. Especially since Mom and Dad stayed at his place in Arizona.”
“You and Ava ain’t stayin’ here either,” Ben pointed out.
“You can’t fault me’n the missus for wanting to stay in Kane’s trailer, since it holds special significance for us.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Right. You and Ava are afraid Mom and Dad will hear you two havin’ loud sex all night long.”
Chase shot him a sideways glance. “We are newlyweds. Besides, maybe me’n the missus are afraid we’ll hear the folks havin’ wall-thumping sex all night long.”
“Now I’ll have to scrub my brain with scotch to erase that image. And gee, ain’t it cute how you’re always calling Ava the missus now?”
“Fuck off. We’ll see how you act when you fall in love with the woman of your dreams. You won’t wanna wait to put a ring on her finger and call her yours.” Chase hadn’t let grass grow under his feet where Ava was concerned. As soon as she’d agreed to marry him, he’d whisked her off to Hawaii for a private ceremony on the beach.
“I doubt I’ll ever get married.” Ben’s gaze automatically sought out Ainsley. She was talking animatedly with his Uncle Carson and Uncle Cal. And she didn’t miss a beat when Steve Talbot horned in on their conversation. What a rude asshole.
“You seem to know the new bank prez pretty well.”
“Sundance is a small town.”
“So there’s nothin’ goin’ on between you and the banker?” Chase asked.
Ben curbed his intent to remind Chase that Ainsley had a name beyond the banker. “Nothin’ worth mentioning.”
“That wasn’t really an answer. You lyin’ to me? Or just lyin’ to yourself?”
Both. “It’s not something I can talk about, okay? Can we just leave it at that?”
“I guess. But I’ll remind you of all the times you felt entitled to poke your nose in my love life.” He laughed. “Although, to be honest, it only became a love life after I met the love of my life.”
“Don’t you mean the missus?” Ben made soft kissing noises.
“Jesus, you’re an asshole sometimes. And nice try, deflecting my questions. I just wanted to throw out that anytime you wanna talk about this, or anything else…just call me. I owe you, for all the times you pulled my head outta my ass.”
“Thanks, Chase. I appreciate it.”
“I ain’t one to brag, but I’ve gotten good at this touchy feely shit since meeting my Ava Rose.” Chase belched. “Speakin’ of…gotta see what my missus is up to.”
Ben had a strange pang of jealousy when Chase swept Ava into his arms and plopped her on his lap, kissing her soundly. They were so in love, so attuned to each other—so oblivious to assorted family members shouting at them to get a room.
He had time to study how his family clustered together. His cousin’s wives, Channing, Macie, AJ, Ginger and India had babies propped on their hips. His mom, Aunt Carolyn and Aunt Kimi were carting around their grandkids.