Seven Day Fiance: A Love and Games Novel (Entangled Bliss) by Rachel Harris Page B

would answer, Angelle stared up in wonder. He winked. “One night this sexy redhead walked into the restaurant I own to meet my sisters. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, but who could blame me? She’s gorgeous.”
    Angelle felt her cheeks grow hotter, but this time it had nothing to do with telling a lie. Cane chuckled. “Anyway, I overheard them talk her into heading to a club up the road, so I followed her like the infatuated stalker I am and asked for a dance. The rest, as they say, is history.”
    The man was good. Too good, to be honest. The story he painted. The deep, rich voice he used telling it. Angie blinked and turned back to her ex, forcibly breaking the spell Cane had woven.
    “That’s…nice.” Brady shoved his hand deep in his pocket, his familiar eyes dull beneath the rim of his ball cap. “Well, I guess I’ll let you two get on back to your conversation. I just wanted to come by and say hello. It’s been a while, Angie, but you look real good.” His mouth lifted in a pained smile as he took a step back. “Happy.”
    “Oh, Brady, I don’t—”
    He shook his head, cutting her off. “No, I’m glad. You being happy is what I wanted.” He looked to Cane and said, “You be sure to take care of her.”
    The words were well intentioned; Angie knew that. But they still rankled. She didn’t need anyone to take care of her. That’s what the people in this town never understood. Somewhere along the way she’d lost her voice, but now she was more than the girl they once knew. Not too much more, but a definite work in progress. She was gearing up to say exactly that when Cane squeezed her hand and replied, “I like to think we take care of each other .”
    Surprised—it was as if he’d stolen the words right from her head—Angelle looked up, and a mischievous grin crossed his face. “As I’m sure you know, this woman’s a spitfire. If she had to, I figure she can handle just about anything on her own. But as for treating her right…that I fully intend to do.”
    His voice came out steady and clear like a promise. A veiled promise, because Angelle had the impression she was missing something. Like his words held a double meaning. What it was, she hadn’t a clue.
    Brady nodded slowly, then with a released breath, held out his hand. “Nice meeting you, Cane.”
    Her fake fiancé shook it and said, “Same goes.”
    The two men exchanged a meaningful look, one she couldn’t begin to decipher, and then with a final whisper of a smile at Angelle, Brady turned and walked away.
    “You okay, darlin’?” Cane placed a knuckle under her chin so he could study her eyes. “That sucked ass, but it’s over, right? The first big showdown is in the bag.”
    He jostled her shoulder in an attempt to lift her sagging spirits, and she sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. It is, and actually, that went better than it could have, thanks to your quick thinking. Maybe now Brady can move on.” She hoped with all her heart that he would. Her ex really was a fine man, and he’d make some lucky woman an amazing husband. That woman just wasn’t her.
    “Exactly,” Cane said. “So enough with the gloom and doom. Let’s get to work restoring that gorgeous smile of yours. I hear it’s a celebration. The black sheep of Bon Terre has returned, along with her city-boy fiancé. That kind of gossip doesn’t come to town every day. Such an occasion requires good eats, and my nose informs me we’ve got plenty of that to choose from.”
    Nose in the air, he sniffed audibly, and despite the pain and discomfort of the last few minutes, Angelle couldn’t help but laugh. Cane winked. “See, there’s that smile I was looking for. Lights up every damn room you walk into, sweetheart. Now what do you say we get this outsider some grub?”
    …
    Twinkling lights strung among the trees clicked on as the sunlight faded. Light from inside the warm house glowed against the darkening sky. But even though there was a chill in the