Read Online When the Glitter Fades (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) by Renee Peterson - Free Book Online
Authors: Renee Peterson
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want to see you hurt,” Allie said, caught in an argument between her husband and good friend.
“It’s not his business. Good grief, he’s acting like Jeremy and I are going to jump into bed together.” Lanie didn’t miss the short intake of breath and subsequent biting of her lowering lip from Allie. “What? Don’t tell me he really thinks I’d be that stupid.”
Avoiding eye contact, Allie looked down, examining her nails.
“Allie,” Lanie practically hissed. “Tell me the truth.”
“He saw you in the hallway with Jeremy, with his hand on your shoulder.”
Frustrated, Lanie blew out a long breath before she exploded. “And?”
“And he said there was a current between you and Jeremy. He could sense it from several feet away.”
“That’s ridiculous.” She had half a mind to hunt her brother down and give him a firm tongue lashing. Clay certainly hadn’t mentioned anything of the sort and he’d been there also.
“Is it?” Allie looked at her with a keen understanding.
Plopping down in a spare chair, Lanie raked her fingers through her hair. “I don’t know. Yes, there’s a chemistry between Jeremy and I; I can’t deny that. It’s always been there and probably always will if years of cheating didn’t kill it, but that doesn’t mean I’d ever act on it. That part of our lives is in the past and that’s where it’s staying. However, because of Cody, he’ll always be in my life. I can’t just block him out of it.”
“Just be careful, okay?” Allie warned.
“Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
“I heard you loud and clear, but I also know what I’ve seen. You’re not immune to Jeremy. I’ve seen you watch him from afar.”
Lanie’s cheeks burned. “He’s a good looking man.” She tried to play it off, unsuccessfully.
“When you were married to Jeremy, I didn’t know him too well, but I do know he’s changed. He’s lost that arrogant swagger, the attitude he thought made him invincible. There’s a humbleness to him that never used to be there. And even with his limp he’s a damn fine specimen of masculinity. I’m just saying, all that could be an intoxicating combination for two people with an electric charge already between them.”
“Nothing is going to happen. That I can promise. Besides, I’m with Clay now and as happy as I can be.”
“So be it, but don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine. Everyone just needs to let it be and allow Jeremy and I get on with our lives. I’ll see you at six.” She left without giving Allie a chance to say another word, feeling more restless than she had before taking a walk.
By the time six o’clock rolled around, she still wasn’t in a better mood. She grabbed a book she’d been meaning to read and headed toward the main lodge. Allie stood behind the counter, the welcome packet in hand.
With a hesitant expression, Allie handed over the folder. “It’s all ready for the Mackey’s.”
Lanie took it without a word, not trusting herself to speak. So many conflicted thoughts were running through her head.
“I’m sorry if I upset your earlier,” Allie apologized, her lips curved downward in a frown.
“I know you think you’re trying to help, but the best thing anyone can do is to stay out of it. Jeremy is here to help Whispering Winds and restore his relationship with Cody. That’s where the focus needs to be, not on some imaginary reunion between him and me. If I’m civil with him, it’s because Cody needs to see his parents getting along, nothing more.”
“You’re a sister to me, even if I wasn’t married to your brother.” The single sentence from Allie communicated all that needed to be said.
“Go on and have fun tonight.” Lanie waved her from the room, giving a weak smile as a peace offering.
“If anything comes up, I’ll have my cell.”
Taking a seat in Allie’s office, Lanie flipped on the security camera, which would
“It’s not his business. Good grief, he’s acting like Jeremy and I are going to jump into bed together.” Lanie didn’t miss the short intake of breath and subsequent biting of her lowering lip from Allie. “What? Don’t tell me he really thinks I’d be that stupid.”
Avoiding eye contact, Allie looked down, examining her nails.
“Allie,” Lanie practically hissed. “Tell me the truth.”
“He saw you in the hallway with Jeremy, with his hand on your shoulder.”
Frustrated, Lanie blew out a long breath before she exploded. “And?”
“And he said there was a current between you and Jeremy. He could sense it from several feet away.”
“That’s ridiculous.” She had half a mind to hunt her brother down and give him a firm tongue lashing. Clay certainly hadn’t mentioned anything of the sort and he’d been there also.
“Is it?” Allie looked at her with a keen understanding.
Plopping down in a spare chair, Lanie raked her fingers through her hair. “I don’t know. Yes, there’s a chemistry between Jeremy and I; I can’t deny that. It’s always been there and probably always will if years of cheating didn’t kill it, but that doesn’t mean I’d ever act on it. That part of our lives is in the past and that’s where it’s staying. However, because of Cody, he’ll always be in my life. I can’t just block him out of it.”
“Just be careful, okay?” Allie warned.
“Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
“I heard you loud and clear, but I also know what I’ve seen. You’re not immune to Jeremy. I’ve seen you watch him from afar.”
Lanie’s cheeks burned. “He’s a good looking man.” She tried to play it off, unsuccessfully.
“When you were married to Jeremy, I didn’t know him too well, but I do know he’s changed. He’s lost that arrogant swagger, the attitude he thought made him invincible. There’s a humbleness to him that never used to be there. And even with his limp he’s a damn fine specimen of masculinity. I’m just saying, all that could be an intoxicating combination for two people with an electric charge already between them.”
“Nothing is going to happen. That I can promise. Besides, I’m with Clay now and as happy as I can be.”
“So be it, but don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine. Everyone just needs to let it be and allow Jeremy and I get on with our lives. I’ll see you at six.” She left without giving Allie a chance to say another word, feeling more restless than she had before taking a walk.
By the time six o’clock rolled around, she still wasn’t in a better mood. She grabbed a book she’d been meaning to read and headed toward the main lodge. Allie stood behind the counter, the welcome packet in hand.
With a hesitant expression, Allie handed over the folder. “It’s all ready for the Mackey’s.”
Lanie took it without a word, not trusting herself to speak. So many conflicted thoughts were running through her head.
“I’m sorry if I upset your earlier,” Allie apologized, her lips curved downward in a frown.
“I know you think you’re trying to help, but the best thing anyone can do is to stay out of it. Jeremy is here to help Whispering Winds and restore his relationship with Cody. That’s where the focus needs to be, not on some imaginary reunion between him and me. If I’m civil with him, it’s because Cody needs to see his parents getting along, nothing more.”
“You’re a sister to me, even if I wasn’t married to your brother.” The single sentence from Allie communicated all that needed to be said.
“Go on and have fun tonight.” Lanie waved her from the room, giving a weak smile as a peace offering.
“If anything comes up, I’ll have my cell.”
Taking a seat in Allie’s office, Lanie flipped on the security camera, which would
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