Promises Reveal by Sarah McCarty Read Free Book Online

do?”
    Cougar smiled. It didn’t lighten his expression. “Something like that.”
    Brad tossed back his whiskey. “Why wait?”
    Cougar pointed to the window where the wedding guests were mingling. “Because your pretty bride might object to her husband coming to her bed too busted up to perform.”
    Brad followed the gesture, his gaze going instinctively to Evie. She was talking to old Ruth. The woman was deaf, with a tendency to long-winded tales, mostly about her deceased husband. He knew Evie was probably bored, but her smile didn’t slip and her gaze didn’t wander. It was one of the things he liked best about her, her ability to make the person she was talking to feel like they had her full attention. It spoke of a generosity of spirit that appealed to him. With her position in town society, her looks, her wit, she could easily be cruel, but she wasn’t. At least, not to those who could be hurt. When it came to him, it was a whole different story. On him, she was more than willing to wield the sharp edge of her temper.
    He smiled and tossed back the last of the whiskey. With him, she wasn’t afraid. He liked that about her best. Handing Doc the glass, he nodded to the McKinnelys. “Well, if you’re not going to indulge me tonight, I think I’ll go rescue my bride.”
    Doc shook his head. “Don’t hurry. Ruth’s not doing so good. Last winter out on that old place of hers without Herb was hard on her.”
    Brad had noticed. “I don’t think she’ll survive another one.”
    And that would be a shame. Ruth was a sweet woman and the backbone of the community.
    “It’s going to take dynamite to get her out of there.”
    Or the right incentive. He handed Doc the glass. “I’ve got an idea brewing that might get her out and into a better situation.”
    “What is it?”
    “Ask me next month.”
    “What’s wrong with now?”
    Glancing back toward Evie, Brad felt a thrill of anticipation he hadn’t enjoyed in a long time. “I’ve got better things to do.”
     
IF EVIE HAD to stand there one more minute, she was going to do one of two things: melt into a puddle or scream bloody murder.
    “It’s important to keep your man happy, young lady.”
    She nodded and mouthed a “yes.” She was too hot to continue yelling and since Ruth read lips more than heard, it wasn’t necessary.
    “The Reverend Swanson might be a man of God, but he’s still a man and he has needs.”
    Evie really wished the old lady’s voice didn’t carry. A blush rose to her cheeks. Ruth continued with her point.
    “I was married to Herb for thirty years, and never turned him away when he reached for me at night.” Ruth patted Evie’s arm. “You welcome your husband the same way and you’ll know the same happiness.”
    Evie really couldn’t imagine that. Not just the making love part, but the welcoming. Brad was an intimidating man. She found that just standing beside him put an itch in her feet. Which is why she’d avoided him as much as possible for all that she’d made a habit of studying him. She’d still be avoiding him if it wasn’t for that darn painting.
    “Thank you. I appreciate the advice.”
    An arm slipped around her waist.
    “Definitely, thank you.” Brad said that loud enough that not only Ruth but the whole room heard.
    The old lady blushed. The guests tittered. Evie gritted her teeth. He was embarrassing her on purpose. Revenge for her joke that had backfired so horribly? She put her hand over Brad’s and sank her nails into him while dropping her eyes and gasping in her best innocent-miss voice. “Reverend!”
    Her nails were drawing blood. Brad’s smile didn’t slip. “Just going along with sound advice, sweetheart.”
    Even in mockery he had a way of making the endearment as smooth as honey. If he wasn’t a minister, she would have labeled him a ladies’ man.
    “You’re embarrassing me,” she hissed.
    “Don’t go making the girl blush, you rascal!” Ruth chastised, the smile on her