Page 127 of Ice Devil

“Dad, I hate to break it to you, but you aren’t as charming as you think you are.”

He pulled his drink to his lips, his eyes twinkling. “Why don’t you ask your mom that question?”

“I don’t think I want to know.” Laughing, I moved off the deck to the table of food. Within seconds, guests were swarming the area, ravenous for the beef.

If I didn’t better, I’d say the human members of the community were the wild beasts.

Watching Sloane was a lesson in forced gracefulness. The thought offered a smile. She was like a bull in a china shop, yet she could finesse your ass off with a wave of her little finger. Pops was right about so many things, including that one of the things I loved about her was her spunky personality.

Even if I’d need to take it down a notch or two.

I moved toward Sloane, determined to take what my father had said into consideration.

“Hiya,” I said as I approached. “Having fun?”

“Let’s see. Your sister asked if she could be in the wedding. Your mother told me when I was ready, she’d tell me all the juicy stories about your childhood. Your dad’s friend, Sam? I think that’s his name? He told us all a story of hunting in the woods outside town, almost shooting a wolf before realizing it was your dad. All in all, a normal picnic.”

I laughed. “That’s my family. A little on the fringe.”

“Yeah, but I like them very much. They’re grounded. You’re all very close.”

“We are. Look, I need to say something to you.”

She pressed her fingers against my lips. “Don’t. We’re having a nice time together. Let’s just leave it that way. I can’t stand goodbyes. Can we just enjoy? Please?”

I thought about my father’s words and nodded. “Of course we can. Are you hungry? My dad’s burgers are edible at least, but you better get one before the wolf beasts over there.”

“Starving.” She started to walk toward the table and I hung back. “Aren’t you coming?”

“I’ll be right there. I just want to enjoy the view.”

With a sultry look still on her face, she walked away. Wouldn’t you know, Ford joined me doing nothing more than nursing on his beer.

“You’re in love with her.”

“Yeah, what of it?” I threw out. “Just had that talk with Dad.” I pulled the beer bottle to my lips.

“About the use of condoms.”

Spitting the entire mouthful, I shook my head. “You’re a shit brother.”

“At least I made you laugh. She’ll come back. Maybe not soon but someday, and I had a thought.”

“What’s that?” I wiped my mouth, still chuckling.

“I have some rope in the car I could loan you so you could tie her to the bed.”

“Nah, I’m not going to do that. If it’s meant to be, then she’ll come back.”

“Wow,” Ford whistled. “My baby brother is all grown up.”

“Yep. That’s me.” I studied her as she laughed, already bombarded by another neighbor, the busybody of the community. “On second thought. I’ll take that rope just in case.”

* * *

Sloane

If anyone was looking from the outside at the formally put together bitchy woman, they would ask one question.