Free Love All Out - The Complete Series (A Stepbrother Romance) by Alice Ward

that she was embarrassed. “Oh yes, of course. It’s so nice that she’s been there for you.” She looked down at her wine glass and I felt bad for hurting her feelings.
    “I’m sorry, Renee. I appreciate your offer. And I’ll remember it, if I ever need advice.”
    Renee’s face brightened and a wide smile broke out on her face. “I hope you do. I always wanted a little girl. But I had a difficult pregnancy with James and the doctor said it would be best if I didn’t have any more children.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    But you better not try to act like my mother, even if I’m right and you are dating my dad.
    “It’s alright, everything worked out for the best,” she replied with a dismissive wave.
    We heard the front door open and my heart leapt into my chest. Renee went to greet James and Daddy. I tossed back the rest of my wine and refilled my glass. Instead of meeting everyone in the living room, I crossed the kitchen and took a seat at the table.
    “There you are, sweetheart,” Daddy said as everyone walked into the room. He bent over and kissed the top of my head.
    “Is everything ready for tomorrow?” I asked, smiling brightly, like I didn’t have a care in the world.
    Daddy nodded. “Yes, James and I actually finished setting up the first campsite early this morning. We rode farther up the main trail and scouted a few places for the two and three day rides.”
    Renee took a seat beside me while James leaned awkwardly against the door frame.
    “Have a seat,” I told him. “Your mom brought wine, if you want a glass.”
    James shook his head, but slid in to the chair across from me. “Cole and I have an early morning and a long day ahead of us. I don’t like to drink on the job.”
    Unless you’re trying to get into someone’s pants.
    Daddy pulled the roasting pan from the oven and I realized that no one had set the table.
    “I’ll get us some plates and silverware,” I offered. I pushed my chair away from the table, but Renee put a hand on my knee to stop me.
    “Let me get them, dear. You just relax. I’ll bring the wine in too. If the boys aren’t drinking, that means there’s more for us.”
    Renee joined Daddy near the stove. Their whispers and giggles were more irritating than the scowl on James’ face.
    “I haven’t seen you since we got back from the campsite,” he said in a lowered voice. “I’m not sure if you know, but I’m crashing here tonight. I’d like to talk to you, if we can get a moment alone.”
    “We don’t have anything to talk about,” I whispered back. I couldn’t bring myself to look him in the eye.
    Daddy and Renee set the table and carried in the food. I wasn’t hungry, but I knew I had to pretend for the sake of appearance. I put a small piece of roast and a spoonful of potatoes and carrots on my plate and covered it all with the juice from the roasting pan. I pushed the food around my plate as everyone carried on a conversation around me.
    Daddy and James told Renee about their plans for the trail riders and she told them how she expected Glory to foal any day. Daddy and Renee made comments I didn’t understand and laughed at their inside jokes. Twenty minutes in to dinner, Renee put her hand on top of Daddy’s and I dropped my fork onto my plate.
    “Willow, sweetheart. Are you okay?” Daddy asked.
    “I’m not feeling very well… I think I have a migraine coming on,” I lied.
    “Oh honey, why didn’t you say something?” Renee asked, her voice filled with concern. “I’m sure the wine isn’t helping. I know some great holistic remedies for migraines. You don’t happen to have any peppermint oil, do you?”
    “No,” I replied, staring down at my plate.
    “Well, I bet you have cinnamon.” Renee rose from her seat and rifled through the pantry. “Cinnamon and honey… that should help a little.” She took a coffee cup from the cabinet, filled it half full with hot water from the tap, and spooned in the cinnamon and