Free Shine On by Allison J. Jewell Page A

too.
    “You’re right. You’ll never have to marry that man. If I ever hear anyone suggest it you won’t have to be the one hitting. I’ll take care of that for ya.” He tried to smile but it didn’t reach his eyes. He was too annoyed at the thought of someone taking advantage of her.
    Why do I care? he inwardly shouted.
    But he knew why he cared. No use kidding himself. If he was going to hell anyway he might as well ride this thing out till it was over. He scooted closer to her and brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes. The color that crept into her cheeks was beautiful. She did this every time he touched her. He ran his fingers down the side of her face and leaned in and kissed her.
    Heart pounding.
    Intense.
    Soft.
    Sweet.
    It was all those words mixed into one. She ran her fingers down the stubble that darkened his cheek. His eyes looked so alive, so warm, so kind when he was here with her. She could live in this moment forever.
    “Whoo Hoo, it’s about time you two just got on with it. We’ve been about to explode from the tension around you both lately,” Trick shouted, jumping up and down on the side rail of the car—causing it to jerk side to side.
    Emmie and Silas looked up to see they had not just one spectator but an entire audience.

Chapter Fourteen
    “G et off the damn car, Trick,” Silas laughed, then reached around Emmie and thrust open the door with more force than was necessary, knocking his brother off the side rail.
    “After you.” He motioned for her to exit.
    “How kind of you to open my door… and you said you weren’t a gentleman?” Emmie smiled sarcastically and stepped out of the car. She walked over and helped Trick up off the ground. “Sorry. He doesn’t like to be teased, I guess,” she apologized for Silas.
    “Actually, I don’t like you teased.” Silas put a hand on the small of her back and led her through the door.
    She arched an eyebrow. “I seem to remember you poking fun at my dusty shoes?” she made the phrase a question.
    “That was different. It was me,” he shrugged then added, “I don’t like you teased about kissing and stuff.”
    When they got into the house Ava was all smiles but she didn’t say a word about the moment they’d just seen. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?”
    “Swimming?” Trick suggested.
    “Too cool. That water was like ice this morning. I think it’s about time to close it down.” Ava answered.
    “I’m gonna take it easy tonight. I’ve got to head back to Chicago early tomorrow. I promised Kate I’d meet her this weekend to listen to something about wedding plans she’d made,” Vince said then pretended to hang himself.
    “Oh! I wish I could go.” Ava pouted. “But I hope to be planning my own soon. Won’t that be so much fun, Gabe?” she squealed.
    “Yeah, can’t wait babe,” he said with a laugh.
    Well that was news. Emmie thought. She had somehow missed when they’d gotten that serious. A glance around showed no one else looked so surprised.
    “I probably should have directed that question at Emmie. Lord knows she will probably be more help planning than you will,” Ava added.
    “Can’t wait,” Emmie repeated his answer but with a much more excited tone.
    “As exciting as this conversation is,” Trick added, “we still don’t know what to do tonight. I am so tired of just sitting around here. There has got to be something to do in this town.”
    Gabe walked over and said something to Silas that the others couldn’t hear. Silas thought about it for a minute and then nodded in agreement.
    “You all go get ready. We’re going out,” Gabe said with a sly grin.
    “Where?” Emmie asked.
    “Surprise. Can you all be ready in half an hour?” Silas answered.
    Ava clapped her hands excited, grabbed Emmie’s hands and pulled her upstairs before she could ask any further questions.
    “Ava I don’t have any clothes here. Can I borrow something? I’m not sure my work shift is going to be