Ace's Wild Read Free Page A

much.”
    Petunia could see the first of the congregation leaving the church. If she didn’t get moving, she’d be forced to be civil to people who’d be taking veiled stabs at her. Her plan really wasn’t popular. “No living thing should suffer needlessly because others are too lazy or too worried about how it looks to help them. Society is only as strong as its weakest link.”
    Ace swore. She flinched, even as every nerve ending snapped to attention. His eyes narrowed, and as if on cue her breath caught. Darn it! Why
this
with this man? It was so...inconvenient.
    Caden looked between the two of them and just sighed. “You know if you two spent a little less time fighting and a little bit more talking, you’d probably find out you’re on the same side of most of your discussions.”
    She lifted her chin. “I highly doubt I have anything in common with Mr. Parker.”
    From the tug Ace gave his hat, he wasn’t any too pleased with the observation, either. “Yeah. You’d have to shove a broomstick up my ass to get me to be that uptight.”
    “Ace!” Maddie reprimanded from within the store.
    Petunia just raised her brow. Did he think his crudeness would shock her? “We could probably arrange that.”
    “You and what posse?”
    “I imagine we could assemble a few of your disgruntled companions to make it happen.”
    Ace made a sound. She couldn’t tell if he was choking on outrage or laughter. Before she could ask, Caden interrupted.
    “Never seen two cats fight as much as you two do. At least not without a hell of a good reason.”
    Ace was entirely too quick to say, “I’ve got a reason.”
    And she was entirely too curious to know what it was. Before she could open her mouth to retort, Maddie came around the counter. “Please. We like you both.”
    Caden didn’t move, but the air suddenly seemed thicker. “What my wife is trying to say, Ace, is that no one cares about your reason. As my wife’s friend, Petunia is always a welcome guest in my home.” His voice lowered just a fraction. “And always under my protection.”
    Ace pulled up straight. Shoulders squared as subtle tension entered his stance. His “The hell you say” was low and threatening.
    Maddie stopped dead. The catch in Petunia’s breathing became permanent. Caden wasn’t even ruffled. “You heard me.”
    If Caden had spoken to her in that tone, Petunia would be running. Ace didn’t even bat an eye. Caden waved his hand. Maddie went back behind the counter.
    “This is none of your business, Caden.”
    “So take me to court.”
    “That’s not fair, Caden,” Maddie called. “You know Judge Bracen is holding a grudge against Ace.”
    “Another one of your satisfied customers?” Petunia asked with a lift of her brows.
    Ace shrugged. “He’s not pleased I didn’t declare that fool’s gold of his genuine.”
    “Cost him a pretty penny on that land deal.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” Petunia interrupted, wanting this to end before it got more combative. She might not want to like Ace, but she did like Caden and Maddie, and Maddie was sympathetic to her cause. Caden she wasn’t so sure of. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the set of Ace’s shoulders. Along her nerve endings she felt the weight of his stare, and that breathless trembling started anew. It was definitely time to go.
    “Thank you for the cinnamon roll, Maddie.” She forced herself to take a nibble. The soft pastry sat like lead in her mouth. Tension skimmed along her nerves. “It’s delicious as always.” She nodded to Caden. Ace she ignored.
    He naturally couldn’t let that pass. “Not even going to say goodbye?” he asked as she turned.
    Nope. Not a goodbye. Not a glance. Not anything that would feed her weakness. Lifting her skirts with her free hand, she stepped off the walk, ignoring the inner prompting that wanted to know if he watched her, if he was smiling, if there was approval in his eyes. She forced herself to continue toward