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That sent his attention to her dress again. To him, that strap seemed plenty secure. Good thing, because if it slid down her
arm, the entire top of the dress would go with it.
An intriguing idea.
“There was something about the flowers being wilted, and the cake being too sweet—”
He snorted. “In other words, just looking for things to bitch about?”
“It was a beautiful wedding,” Addie said with a sigh.
“Don’t start crying again.”
“I’ll cry if I want to.” On a groan, she moved to sit on a chair, then slipped off her shoes and wiggled her toes.
Kam followed her. “You sure you don’t want me to take you home?” At seventy-two, Addie was still an energetic woman who didn’t indulge a lot of idle time—but it was way past her usual bedtime. Early to bed, early to rise had always been her mantra.
“Callie’s parents are just waiting on me.” Her gaze slanted his way. “Figured it wouldn’t hurt to let them wait a few minutes
more. You need to hang back with Glory and see that she gets home.”
Honest to God, he’d do anything for Addie. Anything. She’d literally saved his life when she’d taken him in as a kid—but he didn’t want to take Glory home. “She’s twenty-five,
Addie. She knows how to get herself home.”
“Kam,” she said, her voice stern. “As the maid of honor, she needs to wrap up everything here, and as best man, you should
lend her a hand, which means you two will be the last to leave. Do you really want her alone in a parking lot at this time
of night?”
It wasn’t a bad area. Hoker was mostly a quiet town. Except, okay, it was a weekend and things got a little rowdier, but still . . .
“What’s there to wrap up?” Admittedly, he didn’t know anything about weddings or receptions. Seemed to him it was all taken
care of.
Addie stood again, this time with her shoes dangling from the fingers of one hand. “Talk to Glory and find out.” She went
on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “And Kam?”
“Yes, Addie,” he replied dutifully.
“Be nice.”
Smiling, he watched her walk off—barefoot, her long floral dress dragging on the floor behind her.
He waited there until she and Callie’s parents had departed.
In short order, the last remaining guests also filed out. Kam looked around but didn’t see Glory. His brows pulled together,
dread settling in his stomach.
Maybe she’d already left, too. Damn it, Addie would have his ass.
He was about to search her out when Dan Fellows, the owner of the hall, approached him with a happy grin. “My, it was wonderful,
wasn’t it? Just wonderful.” Sweat beaded on his brow as he took in the remaining decorations on the tables. “A great turnout.
Lovely bride and groom.”
“Yeah, it was nice.” Where the hell was Glory?
“I guess I can close it up now, right? You don’t need anything else?”
Honestly, Kam had no clue. “You’re all taken care of?”
“Yes, yes. Paid in full and everyone was given a generous tip.” He loudly confided. “We all love your in-laws. Generous people.
Very generous.”
“Not my in-laws,” Kam said. “Jesus, don’t start rumors.”
Laughing, Dan gave him a sly look. “Sorry, Tanner’s in-laws, then.”
Kam was glad they hadn’t scrimped on the tips. With rich people, you never knew. “So . . .” No sign of Glory at all. “I guess
if you see anything, like anyone forgot something or left something behind, let us know.” Kam offered his hand.
“Yes, of course, but Glory already made those arrangements.”
Of course, she did. “Then I’ll get out of here so you can wrap it up and get home.” As soon as he stepped out, cooler evening
air embraced him. Tension eased as he drew a deep breath, but it didn’t entirely go away. Where was Glory?
Out of the shadows, the girl he’d talked with earlier sidled up to him. “Kam.”
He turned to her, but he’d already forgotten her name. She was young, barely twenty, and while she was cute and obviously
interested, tonight wasn’t the night for him. It made him feel like an ass to acknowledge that he might have led her on a
bit just because he’d known Glory was watching.
“Hey.” Trying to keep it casual, he said, “Thanks again. The reception was nice.”
“Your brother looked really happy.”
“Yeah.” Tanner had found that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. It still amazed him. Before Callie had shown up and impacted
them all, he hadn’t even known something like that existed.
“So . . . you’re heading home?” she asked, her suggestive gaze holding his.
Kam was trying to think up a good excuse when a new voice intruded.
“Sorry, but I’m not quite done with him yet.” Glory stepped closer, her chin tilted up as if in challenge, shoulders back—which
just made him glance at her boobs again—and a glint of determination in her pretty blue eyes.
He forced his mouth to curve in the semblance of a smile. “Is that right? What can I do you for?”
“I . . .” Confused, Glory asked, “What?”
His smile turned genuine. “What is it you need?” Say me. No, wait. Don’t say that. If she did, he’d be all over her, and he didn’t want that to happen . . . Did he?
The girl beside him put her arm through his. “But, Kam, we had plans.”
Damn it, Kam couldn’t even drum up her name. He patted her hand and attempted to free himself from her hold without much success.
Giving up, he let her cling while he asked, “So what’s the problem, Glory?”
Her gaze tracked over his arm, then over the girl attached to it. Smile tight, she replied, “I could use some help with . . .
things.”
“What things?”
Emotions flitted over her face, and stubbornness set in. “You know what? I just thought up another solution.” She fluttered her hands. “You’re free and clear to enjoy the rest of your evening.” Pivoting on her heeled sandal, she marched away.
Damn it. To the other woman, he said, “Sorry, sugar,” as he peeled her fingers away. “In case you couldn’t tell, she was pissed,
so I’d better see what’s up.” Without waiting for a reply, he broke into a jog to catch up with Glory, whose militant stride
had already taken her around the corner and into the darkness of the back lot.
It wasn’t until he got closer that he heard her low voice. “What are you even doing here?”
Another voice, a male voice, replied, “I’m picking you up.”
Brows coming together, Kam took in the scene before him. Some guy was standing in the lot with Glory, but she was keeping
her distance.
Without noticing him, Glory said to the dude, “No, you’re not.”
“You’re alone,” the guy crooned. “I’m alone.”
“I told you I’m not alone.”
With a smug smile, he asked, “Then, babe, where is he?”
“I’m not your babe, and he’s delayed, but he’ll be here any minute.”
“Right. He’s hanging out in the empty event hall?” He moved closer.
Pointing, Glory said, “His car is right there.”
The jerk shrugged. “But he’s not with you.” He reached for her, and she jumped back, almost stumbling.
Kam debated on how to handle things: Stomp the guy into the ground, which was currently his preference, or try to use some
tact.
“Come on, Glory. Don’t be like that. I’m the only one here for you, your car is out of commission, and it’s late.”
Out of commission? Kam looked at her car—and saw flat tires. Two of them, both the rears. Worse, he looked at his SUV and saw flats on it as well. “What the hell?”
Glory whirled to face him. “Kam.”
“Sorry, babe.” He relished saying that and was relieved when Glory didn’t snap at him as she had the other guy. “I got held
up.” In a few long strides, he was at her side. Surprising her, he slipped his arm around her and drew her close for a soft
kiss.
She did a great impression of a frozen pole, but he didn’t mind. He still savored the press of his mouth on hers. Two seconds,
three. Damn, he wouldn’t mind doing that all night, turning his head for a better fit, teasing her stiff lips apart . . .
but it’d probably be better if he got it together before she slugged him, especially since her pushy Romeo still stood there.
Keeping her snug against him, he nodded at her car. “What happened?”
“I—we—um . . .”
Clearly, he’d thrown her for a loop. A good thing, considering how many times she’d left him floundering.
Satisfied with her response, he gave her a little hug and a quicker kiss to her temple.
Finally finding her voice, she said, “Maybe we drove over something?”
Yeah, right. Kam cut his attention to the intrusive guy. He was tall, trim, dressed in casual clothes, and had obviously hoped
to stake a claim on Glory. Not happening, bud.
“If that was so, Callie’s parents would have had flats, too.” They’d all taken the same route. “And how the hell are the flats
only in back? If we drove over something, the front tires would have—”
“Hey, I’m Mike.” The guy pushed forward, hand extended.
Kam had to release Glory to accept the handshake, but as he did so, he stepped slightly in front of her like a shield. “Hey, Mike.” The handshake, at least, was congenial enough. “I take it you two are friends?”
Affection softened Mike’s smile as he looked at Glory. “We’ve been dating a while.”
“No, we haven’t,” Glory said quickly, her voice a little too high. “It was three dates. Only three.”
“Babe, come on.” Looking at her over Kam’s shoulder, Mike affected cool forbearance. In an aside to Kam, his voice low as
if that might keep Glory from hearing even though she was right behind him, he confided, “We had a little disagreement. Guess
she’s still riled.”
Mouth firming, Glory quickly moved away. Not closer to Kam, but away from Mike. As if the other guy wasn’t there, she said
to Kam, “We should get going.”
Mike grinned and shook his head as if amused. “Guess I took too long to call. You know how it is.”
“I’m not sure I do.” Kam didn’t know what was happening, but he didn’t like it. Men who hassled women went instantly on the
list of things he despised, right up there with child neglect and animal abuse. Never, under any circumstances, would he take
part in such a thing.
It would make him too much like his parents, a fate he would never accept. Past accusations and his tainted bloodline was
something he’d deny to his dying day.
With her composure slipping, Glory asked Kam, “Does the town have any kind of ride service?”