Free Southern Hearts (Southern Love Series) by Ava Thorn Page A

love you, Austin, but this can't happen anymore, and we can't
be reckless."
    "Farrah, I'm going to tell Rebecca that I don't love
her. After I tell her, I want us to be together."
    "Austin, you make it sound all good and gravy but it's
not." Farrah fixed her clothes and splashed water on her flushed face.
    "I'm still not going to marry Rebecca." He pulled
her to him. "Even if I'm not with you, Farrah, I cannot marry and will not
marry Rebecca."
    "Whatever."
    Farrah looked at Austin one last time before walking out of
the bathroom and making her way to the kitchen.
    What Farrah and Austin didn't notice on their exit from the
bathroom was Gwen standing down the hall looking at them.
     
    ***
     
    Austin looked at the table at all the different kinds of
food that Southern Rose had prepared for the evening. His stomach growled just
getting a whiff of the root beer baked beans, bacon potato salad, and smoked
corn. He watched as Farrah carried a platter of baby back ribs from the grill.
He stood up and started to help her, but stopped in his tracks as Ranger Shane
came along and plucked the platter from her.
    "I'd like to say a few words," Austin said,
clinking his fork against his glass. "I appreciate each and every one of
you guys who spends time on the road, the ranch, and in the recording studio
with me. If it wasn't for you guys, there would be no number one hit single or
Grammys. To friends, brothers, and people we love," he said, looking at
Farrah.
    He was getting madder by the minute as Shane talked to
Farrah. What pissed him off even more was that Shane knew it.
    "Everyone, I want you to meet Farrah Rue; she is the
owner of Southern Rose and the chef who prepared this delicious meal you are
about to eat. Also, she is my plus one for tonight," Shane said as he
stood up.
    "I can't be," Farrah said, looking at Shane.
"That would be inappropriate." Austin was about to sigh in relief
when Rebecca opened her mouth.
    "Farrah, I insist that you join us," she said,
looking at Farrah.
    Austin noticed that Farrah looked like a deer in the
headlights. He could see that she was mulling over the decision to sit at the
table.
    "Okay," Farrah said reluctantly.
    "Shane, I'm thrilled you and Farrah are hitting it off
so well," Rebecca said as she eyed Farrah and Shane sitting on the
opposite side of the table.
    Austin lost his appetite as he watched Shane whisper into
Farrah's ear and make her smile. He wanted to be the only one to make her
smile. Austin tried to pay attention to Rebecca as she talked about shopping,
but he'd had enough of Shane's flirting.
    "Ms. Rue, can you please see if there's any more grilled
chicken?"
    "Austin, that's why there are waiters." Shane
shook his head and grabbed the dish.
    "No, Shane." Farrah took the dish from Shane and
whispered something in his ear.
    Austin kicked himself when he saw Farrah walk away from the
table; he kicked himself even more when she didn't come out of the kitchen for
the rest of the evening and left without telling him goodbye.
    "I think it's fair to say that you are smitten with
Farrah," Shane said after the dinner party was over.
    Austin didn't want to hear it. All he wanted to do was sit
in the saloon on the ranch and nurse his sorrows.
    "Can it, Ranger," Hank chuckled as he sat across
from Austin.
    "I hope you let Rebecca down easy," Shane said as
he poured bourbon into their glasses.
    "How do I tell this woman who is planning this wedding
that I'm in love with a woman who makes me feel awesome and takes me to places
I've never been to physically and mentally?"
    "You have it bad, boy," Hank laughed.
"Honestly, if you ask me, I think Rebecca doesn't love Austin
    McBride for who he is, she loves you for your millions and
the houses you own."
    "I'm not going to sit here and preach to you about who
you should be with." Shane paused. "I'm pretty sure I heard enough
while you guys were in the bathroom."
    Hank slapped his leg and laughed out loud.
    "Hell!" Austin said, trying not to