the road. You’re all stinking drunk. I can smell you from the nearest dry county.”
Mitzi grinned. “We’re welcoming home our Mattie.”
A bottle crashed to the pavement, and whiskey pooled around Junior’s feet. “Why, look at that,” he said, worming a finger under his hat to scratch his head.
Sam narrowed his eyes as Sonny slapped Junior upside the head. “Junior Crabbe, Sonny Jenks and Mitzi Antle—”
The tiny girl interrupted. “That’s Madcap Mitzi—”
Sam continued without a hitch. “Nobody’s driving that hot rod home. Let’s take a trip to the office.”
Matt could feel the weight of Rachel’s stare as Sam herded them into the Bronco. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her, couldn’t take her disappointment.
He was even disappointed in himself. God, had the old Matthew spent time with friends like this?
Sam glanced at Rachel as he prepared to reenter his vehicle. “Maybe you’d both like to come over to my place in a few days? Everyone will want to see you and Matthew, I’m sure.”
Rachel looked at Matt, silently asking if he was up to going.
He nodded, knowing that he’d have to deal with the rest of Kane’s Crossing soon anyway. There was no escaping the curiosity.
She smiled at Sam. “We’ll be there. Tell Ashlyn and Taggert hello.”
“I will. Night, Rachel.” Sam’s grin disappeared. “Matthew.”
From the way Sam looked at him, Matt knew he’d be in for a real test when he met Rachel’s friends. Hell, the whole town probably thought he’d gone off and cheated on his wife.
The picture of the blond woman with the little boy plowed into Matt’s brain again.
He only wished he could be sure that he hadn’t cheated.
As the sheriff drove away, leaving the blazing-red Camaro in their driveway, Rachel said, “Let’s go inside.”
A comment escaped his lips before he could stop it. “The sheriff was awfully interested in your comfort.”
“Jeez, Matthew.” Rachel suddenly seemed so tired, her eyes reddened as if from crying, her voice weary. “Sam’s a friend. You’d be mortified if you could see how much he loves his wife and son.”
Matt couldn’t move, didn’t want to come in the house after revealing his damned insecurity. “You go on in, Rachel, to the guests.”
She stood there for a moment more, but Matt turned away from her. He knew she wanted to talk about Sonny and his friends, but what the hell could he say? He couldn’t even apologize for this mistake.
He felt her leave, missed the jasmine in the air, missed the opportunity to say he was sorry once again.
Even if Matt Shane had come home, he was lonelier than ever.
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