Free The Bride Star by Tracey Jane Jackson

don’t?”
    “I’m going home, Sam. You can bet on it.”
    “Be that as it may,” he said slowly, “I would like to spend time with you until you leave.”
    “You’ve said that…you sound like a broken record right now.”
    “I’m sorry?”
    Rayne shook her head. “Never mind. Just tell me why.”
    “It’s possible that you may be the most vexing woman alive,” he said somewhat under his breath.
    She waved a hand in the air. “A perfect reason for you to cut your losses, buddy.”
    He grabbed her hand and gently kissed her palm. Her stage fright resurfaced—with a vengeance. His eyes sparkled almost as bright as the lights in a stadium. “Spend time with me, Rayne.”
    She smiled. She couldn’t help herself. “You won’t give up, will you?”
    Sam shook his head. “No, I won’t. It’s not in my nature.”
    “All right, we can spend time together.” She tried to pull her hand away but he wouldn’t let her. “But I am going home, Sam.”
    “Would you like me to help you find your way home?”
    “No, thank you.”
    His eyes widened. “Why not?”
    Rayne sighed. “Because that would create a new set of questions that I’m not sure I can answer right now.”
    He stared at her for a few tense seconds and then sighed. “Fair enough. We’ll spend time together until you leave.” Glancing at him, Rayne knew she didn’t have a choice…didn’t really want one, either. He wore the crooked smile that she was becoming somewhat fond of, and his eyes glinted as he raised her hand to his lips again. “Since our picnic was cut short, would you like to go for a walk?”
    She shook her head. “I actually have plans with Victoria.”
    “Oh? Would you like company?”
    Rayne shook her head. “No, I think we’ll be fine.”
    Just as she pulled away from him, Victoria knocked on the open door. “Hi, everything all right?”
    “Yes.” Rayne smiled. “Are you still up for our engagement?”
    Victoria nodded. “Yes, if you are. Hannah has a change of clothes for you. Will we see you later, Sam?”
    Sam nodded. “Yes. Crow and I will both be here for dinner.”
    “Excellent.” Victoria smiled. “Rayne, I’ll see you upstairs in a few minutes.”
    “Okay.” Distracted by Sam’s thumb stroking the center of her palm, Rayne closed her eyes briefly before trying to pull her hand away from him…he wouldn’t relinquish it. “I have to go.”
    He leaned down to gently kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
    Rayne nodded. “Thanks for the picnic.” She made her way up the stairs.

CHAPTER SIX
     
    When Sam walked into his office thirty minutes later, he found Crow sitting in one of the chairs, his hat on his lap, staring into the fire. Sam removed his own hat and sat at his desk. “What’s amiss?”
    Looking away from the fire, Crow shook his head. “Nothing I can confirm. More of a feeling.”
    Sam didn’t comment. Crow would fill him in when he was ready.
    “How was your day with Miss Green?” Crow asked.
    Sam grimaced. “Confusing.”
    Crow chuckled. “What happened?”
    Sam filled him in on the events of the day, including the strange ending.
    “Those women are different,” Crow said.
    Sam frowned. “Who? Rayne?”
    “And the Butler wives.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “They are different, Sam. I’m not entirely certain what it is, but the three of them are different.” He sighed. “So is Mrs. Madden.”
    Sam leaned forward. “Emma? In what way?”
    “I see things sometimes when I meet with the elders.” Crow stared back into the fire.
    “That’s because you smoke things that perhaps you shouldn’t.”
    Crow smirked. “Perhaps. What time are we expected?”
    “Six.”
    Crow rose to leave. “I’ll meet you there.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “I need to ride.”
    With a grin, Sam nodded. “I’ll see you later. Don’t be late.”
    Crow left and Sam turned to his paperwork. His thoughts quickly turned to Rayne and the effect she was having on him. He remembered