Nadine frowned as both hands popped on her wide hips. “Bobby Ray?”
Bobby Ray’s cheeks turned fire engine red. “She’s off in another world. Don’t listen to her.”
Nadine pushed him on the chest. “Have you been cheatin’ on me?”
“Hell, no! If anyone is cheatin’, it’s you. I don’t believe this cock and bull story one bit about bringing that pie to Allie.” His voice got louder with each word.
Irene took a step between them. “If you are going to shout in Walter’s home, then get the hell out in the yard. If you wake his cantankerous old bitch of a mama, I’ll shoot the both of you.”
“I came over here to ask Blake if I could cut up some of that wood he’s givin’ away for free. I didn’t come to fight with you, Nadine.” Bobby Ray crossed his arms over his chest.
Blake set the pie on the coffee table. “You’re welcome to all the wood you want. Herman and his crew have been taking a lot of it but believe me, there is plenty more coming soon as I can get it dozed down.”
Allie heard another vehicle. It had to be her mother this time. Or maybe it was all the ladies of the church bringing another round of food to replenish what Blake had used. It didn’t matter. Tomorrow morning the fact that she was in his house, wearing his robe and nothing else, would be the headlines of the gossip vine.
This time there was no knock. A tall blonde plowed into the living room. Wearing a floor-length black leather coat, tight skinny jeans, and a gorgeous red sweater, the woman ignored everyone. She set her eyes on Blake and made a beeline for him, slung her arms around his neck, and kissed him. It wasn’t a sister kiss but a long, lingering one that involved lots of tongue and her leg wrapped around his.
When the kiss broke, her eyes lit on Bobby Ray, standing there with his hands in his pockets and looking at the ceiling. “Bobby Ray Wilson. I haven’t seen you in a whole month, darlin’. What are you doing here? I swear the world gets smaller every day.”
Bobby Ray stammered. “What brings you here, Scarlett?”
“Long story but it don’t have anything to do with us, darlin’. I told you that we were through the last time I saw you, remember? I don’t date married men or engaged ones. You were a naughty boy. You should have told me you were engaged before we spent the weekend together,” Scarlett said.
Nadine drew back her fist and if Blake hadn’t taken a couple of long strides forward and blocked it, she would have broken Bobby Ray’s nose right there.
“Turn me loose. I’m going to kill him,” Nadine screeched.
“Who is that screeching bitch, Blake?” Scarlett asked.
“This would be Bobby Ray’s fiancée, Nadine,” Blake said.
Scarlett slapped a hand over her mouth dramatically. “Oops.”
Nadine shook free of Blake’s grasp and tiptoed so that her nose was only inches from Bobby Ray’s. “You son of a bitch.”
“That would be calling the pot black after this little escapade, wouldn’t it? You’re running around taking pies to men after dark. I bet you didn’t make me a pie, did you?” Bobby Ray said.
Scarlett ignored them. “And this one wearing my favorite robe, sweetheart? Who is she?”
Allie would have taken the robe off and stomped on it with dirty boots if she’d had another piece of clothing underneath. “I’m Alora Raine Logan. I happen to be working on this house and it’s none of your business why I’m wearing this robe.”
Scarlett looked down on Allie, her blue eyes so cold that Allie could feel the chill behind them. Her voice was sweetly sarcastic when she said, “It’s nice and warm and tickles all the right places, doesn’t it? Gets you real ready for the bedroom.”
Allie met the challenge without backing down an inch. “Who are you?”
“I’m Blake’s wife and this is my yearly booty call,” she said.
Chapter Fourteen
The entire room went so quiet that Allie’s ears ached. Did that hussy just say she was Blake’s wife? Allie whipped around and stared at him.
“Ex,” Blake said quickly.
A loud rap on the door frame took everyone’s attention in that direction. Katy Logan stepped inside without waiting to be invited. “Have you seen…oh, there you are, Mama. It’s time to go home now. What the…” Katy’s eyes came close to popping out of the sockets when she saw Allie.
“It’s a long story,” Allie said. “Come on, Granny. I think it’s time for us to go home.”
Irene sat down in the rocking chair. “Why? I like this party. It’s exciting. When are they bringing out the birthday cake and ice cream? I want cake.”
“We’ve got chocolate cake waiting for us at home. I’ll get my boots and I’ll see to it your robe gets brought home tomorrow,” Allie said coldly without even looking at Blake.
“Allie, let me explain,” he said.
Her shoulder bumped his as she stomped toward the bathroom to get her boots, but she didn’t look back. “Enjoy your booty call. I’ll get my boots and get out of your way.”