Redeeming Rue AP4 by R. E. Butler Read Free Book Online

longer.  Trying to repeat what Tristan had said word for word, he told them about Scarlett’s family and the future that lay ahead for her, one that didn’t have them in it.
    Wes looked heartbroken.  Ray looked pissed.
    “What gives her family the right to treat her like property?  It’s not fair.  She’s ours.”
    “I understand how you feel, Ray, but you can’t go off half-cocked and storm the castle for her.”
    Ray’s eyes widened.  “You aren’t going to tell us not to do anything stupid?”
    “I never recommend doing stupid things, but I know that you feel she’s your mate, and there isn’t anything I can do to stop you from feeling that.  I just hope you’ll think carefully before you do anything.  You wouldn’t want her to get hurt.”
    “No, we don’t want her to ever be hurt,” Wes said.  “What can we do?  We don’t even know where she is aside from living in Bent Creek.”
    “Melody is not going to tell you, Tristan made that much clear.  So you’ll have to figure out the next step on your own.  Whatever you do, I support you, and so does most of the pride.  If you need me, you know where to find me.”
    He slipped from the booth.  “Are you two okay to drive?”
    “I’ve only had a few swallows of this beer.  I’m fine,” Wes said.
    James nodded and told them he’d see them at the ceremony.  He felt a little torn about them.  On the one hand, he thought they should respect Scarlett’s wishes and move on with their lives. But on the other hand, he knew they believed that Scarlett was their mate and they weren’t going to let that go and he didn’t think they should.  Hell, if he believed a woman was his mate, he wouldn’t let her go off without him either.  He’d fight tooth and nail to be with her, and he couldn’t ask them to do any less.  Whatever happened between them, he just hoped that the situation would work out in their favor.  Life wasn’t fair.  If it were, female mountain lions wouldn’t poison the young females with their claws and curse them to a lifetime of emotionless living.  He hoped that the fates would smile kindly on Wes and Ray and that someday they’d be able to be with Scarlett.
     
    * * * * *
     
    John looked over at Jilly as she sat in the passenger seat of his car and fiddled with a ribbon tied around her waist.
    “You look lovely, sweetie,” he promised, reaching over and squeezing her hand, which was ice cold.
    “Thanks, Daddy.  I feel weird.”
    “How so?”
    “Well, it’s almost like we’re getting married, but all that’s really happening is that we’re promising to get married eventually.  I kind of wish we weren’t having a big party.”
    “Don’t you want to celebrate?”
    She shrugged and looked out the passenger window.  “Celebrate what?  A promise for three years?  Daddy, I don’t want to talk to you about this.  Can we change the subject?”
    Change the subject when they were about to arrive at the ceremony?  Oh sure.  He quickly tried to think of something else to talk about, but all he could think of was how miserable his daughter seemed.
    “I’m sorry you’re not happy right now, honey.  I wish I could tell you that the next three years will be a breeze and that waiting will make it all worthwhile in the end, but I don’t know that for sure, and I’ve never had to really wait for anything.”
    She grunted.  “That’s not as helpful as you planned it to be.”
    Chuckling, he signaled to turn onto their street.  “You’re still learning about emotions.  Right now you’re feeling anxious like a bride but also disappointed because you know that nothing really changes tonight except that they’ll have new tattoos and you’ll have a ring.  You’re respecting their culture and that’s important.  Three years seems like forever, but it’ll pass quickly.  In the meantime, how about college?”
    “Is there a college course for patience?”
    He parked in front of the boarding house