He decided to be honest with the Porters. He wanted a relationship with Rachel, and to accomplish that goal, he was going to have to get along with these three yahoos.
“We need to come to an understanding and cut out this bullshit between us.”
“Why? It works for us.” An evil grin came to Tate’s face. “This has to do with Rachel, doesn’t it?”
The smug bastard was going to be picking his teeth up off the floor if he wasn’t careful.
“Why does his talking to us have anything to do with Rachel?” Dustin confirmed Cash’s opinion that he was the slowest of the group. His two older brothers rolled their eyes at the question. Realization slowly hit Rachel’s youngest brother. “Hell, no.” Dustin’s reaction mirrored his brothers’.
“We can keep fighting between us and we’ll all lose Rachel, or we can pretend to get along and keep Rachel in Treepoint; it’s up to you. I’m willing to tolerate you three for Rachel.”
Without another word, the three brothers got up from the table, leaving him and Shade staring at their backs as they left the bar.
“That went well,” Cash said drily.
“Did you expect any different? You four have spent years pissing each other off. It’s going to take more than a meet to change that.”
Cash studied Shade speculatively. “I gave Lily my vote for your marker.”
Shade’s amusement died. “Yes, you did. So?”
“I want your help to bring those assholes around,” Cash laid out his terms.
“I promised you my marker, not a fucking miracle.”
“Shade, you’re the most manipulative bastard I know. If anyone can get those assholes to tolerate me, it’s you. Can you think of a bigger challenge for your skills?”
“Actually, no.”
*
Rachel opened the door to Pastor Patterson and his wife.
“Good morning, Rachel.” Pastor Merrick led Brooke inside the small house. Rachel closed the door behind them; she had dreaded this day.
Once a month, the pastor visited Mag. He ritualistically visited all his homebound parishioners to talk and pray with them.
Rachel led them into the kitchen where she had already prepared sandwiches and ice tea for them.
“Afternoon, Pastor.” Mag’s jovial greeting lightened the atmosphere as Brooke’s superior gaze lit on the simple food.
“Good afternoon, Mag. How are you feeling?”
“Right as I can be.”
Rachel had to keep her temper under control at Brooke’s slight wince.
They sat at the table, the pastor graciously eating a few of the sandwiches while Brooke refused. To give Mag credit, she ignored the cold reception of Brooke, concentrating her attention on the pastor.
“May I use the restroom?” Brooke interrupted the conversation.
“It’s around the corner. The door’s open,” Mag directed her.
Brooke rose from the table and the conversation resumed. Rachel enjoyed listening to Pastor Merrick discuss the Bible so much she became lost in the conversation. It took several minutes for her to realize that Brooke had not returned to the table. She was about to go check on her when she returned, retaking her seat.
Rachel took another sandwich and had just taken a bite of the roasted chicken salad when the front door opened and Cash walked into the kitchen. He was shirtless and his jeans clung low on his lean hips. Why was he showing so much flesh when the weather outside was frigid?
While Rachel almost choked on her sandwich at his appearance, Brooke’s veiled eyes did little to hide her appreciation of his masculine appeal.
Mag introduced the Pastor and Brooke.
“Want to join us?” Mag invited.
Rachel expected him to refuse and had to hide her surprise when he accepted.
“Let me get cleaned up; I’ve been working on my truck.”
Cash left, returning within minutes, freshly showered and having changed his clothes. He sat down next to her, grabbing several sandwiches and pouring himself a glass of tea.
“You don’t attend church, Cash?” Brooke spoke for the first time, actually trying to participate in the conversation.
“Afraid not. It’s still standing, isn’t it? I would hate for the pastor to have to rebuild just because I walked through the door,” Cash joked.
“You can’t be that bad.” Brooke’s voice lowered with innuendo.
As Cash’s hand paused halfway to his mouth, Rachel’s stomach churned at his recognition of Brooke’s interest in him.
“My wife has a true calling to get new members into our church.” The pastor patted his wife’s hand affectionately.
Seriously? Surely the pastor couldn’t be as dense as he seemed not to recognize his wife was coming on to Cash in front of him. The woman had unfortunately underestimated Mag, however.
“She’s calling for something that’s going to get her an ass-whooping if she doesn’t stop.”
Rachel’s mouth dropped open at her sarcastic remark, and Cash broke into laughter.