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“I appreciate that.” Sam’s hand pointedly came to Abby’s waist, and he drew her to his side. “We all appreciate it.”

Icy Blonde did not notice. It was like Abby didn’t exist. She leaned forward and looked around to make sure no one could hear her. “I was thinking we could hook up afterwards. I get off at ten. You and I could go back to my place. We can invite Jack, too, if you want.”

Sam’s ready smile faltered slightly. It was obvious to Abby he was a little shocked. He pumped that charm right back up. “I’m afraid I have to pass, Cecelia. I have a girlfriend now, and she might have a problem with it.”

“I certainly would, Sam.” Abby was surprised at the blatant rudeness of the young blonde. Abby didn’t recognize her, but she looked a little like a girl she’d gone to high school with. Helen Smith had been two years older, and she’d gotten pregnant young, so this was more than likely her daughter. The fact that she was competing for men with girls her daughter’s age made her a little queasy.

“I’m sorry, Sam. I was mistaken. She doesn’t seem like your usual type. She’s much more…mature.” The blonde sneered, finally giving Abby her full attention.

Sam laughed. “She’s only five years older than me. Trust me, she’s my type.”

But maybe she was too old for him. Self-doubt and insecurity started to take over. What the hell was she thinking? She was older than them. She had a past that could really cost them. She had no intention of staying in this horrible, little, small-minded town. Now Abby was wishing she had put on that sweater Jack had advised her to wear. The dress that had seemed so perfect before now felt a little cheap. It was cheap. She had bought it at a thrift store.

The blonde got back to business with a haughty shrug and told them their table would be ready in five minutes. Sam glanced around the lobby. “Hey, that’s Lucas Klein, Abby. He’s our feed supplier. We do a whole lot of business with him. I need to go say hello. You wait here for Jack, all right?”

Abby, a little shell-shocked, simply nodded. She watched Sam move away to the man. Abby stood there feeling ridiculously vulnerable. It seemed to her that everyone was staring at her and talking behind their hands. The blonde stared down her nose, and Abby could feel her judgment. She was wondering why anyone would pick an almost forty-year-old mom over someone as firm and young as her. As for the rest of them, they were thinking that Abby Moore had come back into town and immediately taken up with not one, but two men. She was still living up to her reputation.

Abby was wondering if she could just tell the boys that she wasn’t feeling well. Maybe they would take her home, and then she would do what she should have done in the first place. She would get her mom back on her feet and look for a job. It was time for a fresh start. She was thinking about Austin. Lexi was at the University of Texas, and there was always a need for experienced trauma nurses. She could chalk up the whole thing to a crazy mid-life crisis and get back to reality.

Abby looked over at Sam talking and laughing, his blue eyes full of mirth. He was so beautiful. He made her feel lovely and young. He deserved better than her.

“Oh, no, no, no,” a firm voice said from behind her. Abby turned and saw the owner of the restaurant hurrying toward her with a stern look on his face. Luther Delbert was older, but he still looked imposing enough. He was a thin, tastefully dressed man in a three-piece suit. He was every inch the wealthy host of the establishment. He had always had an aristocratic air, and now his slender face was pinched with distaste. “This won’t do.” He turned to Icy Blonde with a frown. “Who took this woman’s reservation?”

Icy Blonde looked briefly satisfied. Her eyes crossed the room to make sure Sam was occupied. “I certainly didn’t, Mr. Delbert. She just walked in.”

Abby was about to protest when Luther Delbert hooked her elbow with his right hand and started to pull her toward the door. Abby wasn’t ready for the motion, and she pitched forward and fell to her knees.

“Get up,” Delbert said. The man obviously didn’t care that everyone was watching now. “Your kind is not welcome here. How you have the gall to walk in here I have no idea, but I won’t serve you, do you understand? I would lose business.”

Suddenly there was a warm hand reaching down. “Abby? Are you all right?” Concern and confusion marked Sam’s handsome face.

Abby blinked back tears as she let Sam haul her to her feet. She nodded mutely.

“I apologize for the drama, Mr. Fleetwood.” Delbert’s voice was all smooth and silky now as his professional demeanor took over. He seemed to want to get this scene over with as soon as possible. “Your table will be ready in a moment. If you don’t mind, I’ll escort this…lady out. She doesn’t have a reservation.”

“Oh, I mind.” Sam clutched at Abby’s hand and looked around at the crowd. ”What the hell is wrong with you people? You don’t help a lady when someone assaults her?”

He was beginning to get the picture, Abby thought. The crowd was quiet. Some of the older patrons turned their backs on her. Abby tried to step away. She wanted to get the focus off of Sam, but he wasn’t having it. If anything, he pulled her closer.

“Is there a problem?”

Every head swung to the front of the lobby where Jack Barnes stood in a tailored suit, looking like the devil himself. Sam sighed beside her, and his hand went firmly around her waist.

“Not at all, Mr. Barnes.” Delbert wiped the bitter look off his face in favor of a gracious smile. “We’re having a little trouble with an unwelcome guest, but I’ll get it sorted out very quickly. If you and Mr. Fleetwood would care to step into the bar, the first beer is on the house.”

“He pushed her down, Jack.” Sam’s voice was tightly coiled. Abby looked up at him. He seemed righteously pissed off.

Jack’s eyes flared briefly at that statement, and then an arctic chill settled in his dark green orbs. Abby took a deep breath because she was intimidated, and she knew that look wasn’t directed at her. Luther Delbert seemed to shrink right before her eyes. The lobby had gone deadly silent as Jack stared at the owner of the nicest place in town.

“She fell,” Delbert explained as he seemed to realize there was something going on he failed to understand. He looked back and forth between Abby, Sam, and Jack as a revelation slowly dawned on him.

“I guess I’m not used to the heels. I lost my footing.” Abby just wanted to get out of there. She’d drawn enough attention to them. She could see the feed store owner whispering something to another customer. Abby didn’t like to think about what he was saying.

“Because he grabbed you.” Sam looked the owner directly in the eye. “You told her you wouldn’t serve her or her kind. What the hell is that supposed to mean? What is her kind?”

“Sam.” Jack’s voice was deep and deliberate. “I think Abigail would prefer another place to eat tonight. Why don’t you take her out to the car, and we’ll find something more suitable. I believe I promised to take her someplace classy, and it’s obvious I made a mistake by bringing her here.”

Abby couldn’t bring herself to look at Jack as Sam laced his fingers through hers and started to lead her out. All she could think about was how much this incident might cost him. Sam stopped briefly in front of Jack’s enormous frame.

“You gonna take care of this?” Sam’s question was low.

“Yes,” Jack promised. “I think I would like to have a private discussion with Mr. Delbert.”

Abby walked out, pulled along by Sam. She supposed Jack was going to stay behind to try to smooth things over. She hoped it worked. She hated the fact that she’d pulled them into her trouble, but she should have known better. Abby felt numb as Sam pulled her toward the parking lot.