Free Monroe, Melody Snow - Leather and Lace [The Callens 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Melody Snow Monroe Page B

her workers had seen her with her hair down, maybe she’d go unnoticed.
    The music from the high school marching band began. Wade leaned over. “It’s showtime, babe.”
    “I’m not your babe.”
    “Ouch.” He winked.
    The man was insufferable. She should rip off the mask and duck into the crowd, but then someone was sure to spot her. She was probably safer looking like the fool. Who would guess Samantha Callen would walk down Main Street in a mask, pushing a grocery cart, looking almost like a homeless person?
    He elbowed her. “Here we go. Happy Fourth of July.”
    “Why are you so cheerful?”
    “I love America.”
    Now she was speechless. He waved to the crowd, and then he turned his cart into hers.
    “Hey!” She banged his back.
    The two of them got in a pissing match, smashing their carts against each other. Wade started laughing, which got her laughing. There were about fifteen Groucho Marx wannabes, all of whom worked for Wade. As they followed the group in front of them, they got sillier and sillier. Wade even started acting like Groucho and quoting the man.
    “You are so annoying.” She slapped his arm.
    “Here’s another one. ‘Only one man in a thousand is a leader of men. The other 999 follow women.’”
    She rolled her eyes, though she had to admit she liked the phrase. They were halfway to the end of the parade route when Wade veered to the right. She followed, though she had no idea where he was going. “What are you doing?”
    Everyone was looking at them as they left the parade. Wade wheeled his cart around a few people until he reached the sidewalk. “Excuse us.”
    She debated ducking back in line behind Wilt, but she was curious what crazy Wade was going to do next. She’d never seen him act like this. In the past, he’d been more reserved, as if he, too, didn’t want anyone to see him be anything other than the boss man.
    He stopped in front of the grocery store and went into the entranceway. “Leave the cart here.”
    She was happy to get rid of that encumbrance. “Now what?”
    “The best part.” He checked his phone. “It’s time for the tobacco spitting contest over on Fourth Street.”
    When Sam was a little girl, her dad liked to watch that event, but she’d forgotten about it in recent years. Once more he clasped her hand in his as if they were a couple. This sudden change of heart confused her. Yes, he was seductive in the whirlpool, but ever since she went riding on her own, he’d been distant, almost as if he feared she really would get reinjured.
    Did he like her? Nah. His statement all those years ago that he and Heath would claim her as their own one day had surely been a comment to make her squirm.
    A large group was gathered, cheering the competitors. Tape had been placed across the road with distance markings on them. There was a second area taped off, too. “What’s the other group doing?”
    “Accuracy contest.”
    “Only in Intrigue .”
    He faced her. “Are you kidding? This is a national pastime. I heard there’s one in Missouri that has us beat.”
    A roar went up. Wade swung her in front of him, placed her back to his chest, and pulled her close. She seemed to melt into his arms. The security of having him surround her took her by surprise. It was nice for a change not to be in charge.
    “Look at that.” Wade pointed to the brown spit on the twenty-five-foot mark.
    She laughed. “This is a necessary skill because?”
    “It’s a man thing. You wouldn’t understand.” He leaned over her shoulder. “Or would you?”
    Enough was enough. She swiveled in his arms. “In case you haven’t noticed, I am not a man.” He was goading her, but she didn’t care. She’d had enough of the man comments.
    He leaned close. “I guess you’ll just have to prove it.”
    Her face burned, and she swiveled back around. She recognized the next man up. He worked in the lumberyard. “Go, Nathan.”
    Wade tugged her waist and laughed. Damn him.
    Once the