Free A Wild Ride (Thompson & Sons Book 4) by Vivian Arend Page A

exposed.”
    “You’re so gross.” But all her bluster had escaped, and she couldn’t help herself. She stared up at him, and some of her frustration escaped in a long sigh. “Why do I suck so bad at this? Dating. Finding someone to get serious about.”
    It took a minute for him to relax, but then he guided her a few steps farther to where the Thompson family had put a bench. He settled, the wood creaking under his weight as he patted the spot next to him. “You don’t suck at it. It’s hard—I get that.”
    “Damn near impossible,” she muttered. “You know what it’s like. You’ve lived in Rocky all your life. There’re always a few new people, but pretty much everyone else, we’ve known forever.”
    “There’s got to be some good people moving into town,” he insisted. “You just need to find them.”
    She pulled her feet up on the bench and wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her chin on top so she could stare out over the field beside Katy and Gage’s house. A sea of tiny blue flowers spread like dashes of reflected sky all around the edges of their yard. “Traders Pub is hosting a speed-dating session this coming Thursday night. I wasn’t going to go, but I guess I should.”
    He didn’t comment about that, just gave her the lecture she’d already given herself a dozen times over the last hour. “Set up your future dates in public places. Mike is going to have a bird when he finds out what happened today.”
    She was on her feet in an instant, both hands landing on his shoulders as she narrowed her gaze. “You will
not
tell Mike.”
    “No, I won’t,” he agreed.
    What was going on?
“Then why would Mike have a bird if he’s not going to find out?”
    “Oh, I didn’t say he wouldn’t find out. I said
I
wouldn’t tell him. Dale, on the other hand, will probably have a few choice thoughts on the matter.”
    He wouldn’t. “You’re
not
going to tell my brother-in-law about my disastrous date.”
    “Right again,” Troy said, wrapping his hands around her hips and pulling her into his lap. “I won’t tell him,
you
will.”
    Not fucking likely.
    “Sweetheart, you need to let your brother know what happened, even if it’s just for the sake of the women who work with the jerk.”
    Shit. She hadn’t thought about that.
    “He’s not a criminal,” she insisted.
    “No, but, he’s an asshole, and he didn’t stop right away when you said no.” Troy reached up and brushed a finger over her cheekbone. “You’re strong, and you’re smart, and you’ve got just enough
don’t give a damn
to get out before things got dangerous. Someone else might not be as lucky.”
    She nodded, letting out a long unhappy breath before leaning toward him and resting her head on his chest. She snuck her arms around his torso. “That is going to be one hell of an awkward conversation.”
    “If you want backup, let me know,” he offered, curling his arms around her and holding her tight.
    It felt right to be wrapped up together with him. For the first time since she’d walked out on Jordan, she felt as if she could breathe. It took a few minutes, but some of the tension in Troy’s body faded. He’d been so worked up, and it was good to know he was returning to a normal state of mind as well.
    “Thank you for coming to get me.”
    He stroked her hair, the familiar touch soothingly good in all the ways she needed at that moment. “Anytime, babe. Anytime.”

Chapter Seven
    Nicole slipped into the passenger seat of Laurel’s teeny car. “Sorry I’m late.”
    “You’re on time,” Laurel assured her, heading down the road toward Traders. She glanced over. “You look pretty.”
    “I feel like an idiot,” Nicole protested. “I couldn’t figure out if I was supposed to dress up or dress down or what. Speed dating. Ugh.”
    “I doubt it matters the specifics what you’re wearing. You get, what? Five minutes at a time? The guys won’t notice more than your smile and your boobs, not