Long Time Gone (Rough Riders #16.5)(28)
Author: Lorelei James

Carson crossed his arms over his chest. “Even that shouldn’t worry you if you’ve got nothin’ to hide, Cal.”

Gigi barked and scratched at the door to go back inside.

“What’s with her?”

Cal ignored the question. “I’ll meet you at Dad’s in twenty, okay?”

“No can do. Tell me what’s goin’ on. You’re never this secretive.”

“I ain’t allowed to have secrets?” he snapped. “That’s bullshit. You’ve got your life with Carolyn which is separate from us workin’ together. I respect that. You need to learn to do the same for me.”

“Who is this woman who’s got you all twisted up in knots?”

The door opened behind him.

Kimi stepped onto the porch. “It’s me.”

Cal had never seen Carson so shocked. Under different circumstances his bugged-out eyes would’ve been funny as hell. Snagging Kimi’s wrist, Cal tugged her against the side of his body.

After his gaze winged between them, Carson said, “You’ve got to be fuckin’ kiddin’ me. You’ve been here since Cal picked you up?”

“Yes.”

“And you two are what? A couple now? You’re livin’ together?”

Cal held his breath. He wasn’t sure what would fly out of Kimi’s mouth.

“What’s goin’ on with me’n Cal isn’t any of your business, Carson. I will say that he’s letting me stay here as I sort some stuff out.”

“That whole tale you spun in that letter to Caro about movin’ to Alaska was a lie?”

Kimi shook her head. “I’m still goin’. I just didn’t leave the day of the funeral.”

“When your sister finds out—”

“You will keep your mouth shut, McKay,” Kimi snapped, getting right up in Carson’s face. “Carolyn is to know nothing of this. You hear me? Nothing. My letter explained everything. She knows she won’t hear from me for at least a month. And I’m sure she’s got plenty of other shit to deal with and doesn’t need anything else piled on top of it. So just go about your business and let me’n Cal sort this out on our own time frame.”

Straight to the point. Kimi was a lot like him in that respect, so Cal didn’t feel the need to add anything else.

“But I fuckin’ hate keepin’ a secret this goddamn big from my wife. She finds out, who’s she gonna be pissed at? Me.”

“The only way she’ll ever find out is if you tell her,” Kimi shot back at Carson. “Promise me you’ll keep your mouth shut.”

Carson looked at Cal.

Cal pulled Kimi back and wrapped his arms around her as they faced his angry twin together. “I don’t ask for much, but I am askin’ you to respect mine and Kimi’s wishes on this, Carse.”

“Fine.” He stepped back. “Don’t bother showin’ up at Dad’s today to work. He’ll know something is up between us because I’ll probably spend the whole day pissed as hell.” He stormed to his truck.

Fuck that. “Explain to me why you’re pissed as hell,” Cal demanded.

Before he climbed in, Carson spun back around. “Because if Carolyn knew about the two of you bein’ involved? She’d be beyond happy. And my woman could use a dose of happiness this week. But I can’t even give her that.”

Cal kept Kimi close as Carson’s truck burned gravel down the road.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

Finally Kimi said, “Is this gonna cause problems between you two?”

“I won’t let it. Carson wants to give your sister the world. He knows there wouldn’t be anything on earth better for her than havin’ you with me, livin’ up the road from them.”

“I agree. But his concern is for you too. He probably thinks I’m just toying with you and I’ll leave you broken-hearted.”

He knew Kimi wasn’t toying with him, but the jury was still out on what her leaving would do to him. Not that she’d given him any indication of when she planned to go. “That’s why it’s better we keep this between us. No need to get her—or anyone else’s—hopes up for something that ain’t gonna happen.” At least not for a while.

Kimi spun into his arms. “I know we said we’d take this day by day. But the longer I stay with you, Cal, the harder it’s gonna be to go.”

“I know that, darlin’. For me too.” He framed her face in his hands. “So you’ve gotta pick a day and stick to it.”

Her eyes clouded and she bit her lip. “The day after tomorrow.”