“There sure are a lot of people here. I wasn’t expecting this,” Sage stated.
“Well, you know how Wyatt and the guys get. They don’t want to not include anyone so they practically invite the town of Pearl,” Bryant stated as he reached over and moved a strand of hair from Sage’s cheek.
“Lenny and Davie Mathews are here, so are Billy and Corey Jacobs.”
He winked at her and then she looked toward Blake.
“I’m sure I’ll catch up with them eventually. We’re going to hang out tonight.”
“Where are you going?” Bryant asked with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
“None of your business, thank you very much,” she said and then began to turn on her cowgirl boots when a strong arm wrapped around her from behind. The person lifted her backward. She twisted out, threw a right hook, and then shoved upward with her knee nearly making contact with her attacker. “Shit, Sage, you’re going to make contact with me one of these days and then I’m going to get mad,” Dalton reprimanded and he looked a little shocked at her quickness. With her hands on her hips she looked him over. “Well then, you should stop trying to sneak up on me before you get hurt.”
The hollers and oohs and ahhs went through the small crowd around them before Dalton pulled her into a hug.
“I just want to make sure you can handle yourself.”
“She looked like she handled things just fine.”
She turned around and was pleasantly shocked to see Matt London. His brother Quaid was already conversing with Kenny.
“Hey, so glad you and your cousins made it,” Dalton said, as Sage looked around for Virgo and Dale. Sure enough they were there, right by the big tree, and both watching her.
The men shook hands as Wyatt came over.
“Food is almost ready. We got tables set up all over the place.”
The men started to walk away, but she and Dalton stood there when Matt moved closer.
“You’re still training with Dalton and Hank at the dojo?” Matt asked.
“Can’t you tell? I want her to be prepared when she takes one of those fancy jobs in the city. A beautiful woman like Sage needs to be able to defend herself.”
“If I decide to take a job in the city. Remember, I haven’t made up my mind as of yet.”
Dalton smiled. “No pressure here, Sage. I know for sure that there are at least five women who are hoping that you’ll stay close to Pearl.”
She chuckled and looked away as she spoke, her gaze landing on Quaid as he approached. “A woman’s got to have her options.”
Dalton waved as Marco called him over.
“Excuse me a minute.” He walked toward the others. Sage was stuck standing there with Matt and Quaid who immediately blocked her view of anyone but the two of them. These men were so big and tall, her head was nearly to her shoulder
s as she looked up. Matt was standing awfully close.
“You look beautiful as always, Sage,” Matt told her.
“Thank you, Matt. You look good, too. But I’m sure you already know that.”
He stepped closer, and placed his hand on her hip. She automatically placed her hand over his wrist, ready to remove it if necessary. She was always on guard and she didn’t like people touching her, especially men.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Matt asked as Quaid gave her body the once-over with his gorgeous blue eyes. Both men were to die for and those damn dimples were so appealing.
She went to speak but it came out as a gasp. Matt smirked, and it hit a nerve inside of her.
“Well, what did you mean, Sage?” he asked again, and she felt his thumb rub gently against her skin on her hip bone beneath her camisole.
She held her ground as she took a breath and stared up into his handsome face. “You know you look good, Matt. You always look on the prowl, yet you leave empty-handed.”