Bran was easing out, fully intending to return the favor by burying his mouth between her thighs, when he heard the blare of the auction speaker.

“Now up. Lot number twenty-seven.”

“Goddammit! That’s the lot I’ve been waiting for.” He jerked his jeans up so fast he almost caught the tip of his c**k in the zipper. He tucked his shirt in and buckled his belt as he strode to the doors.

Not cool to leave her on her knees without so much as a good-bye.

Shit. Yeah. He was one classy guy. Bran looked at her. “I’ll be right back. Umm. Thanks.” He made sure to shut the door behind him but not lock it.

Bidding for the fishing supplies was changed to lot number twenty-nine, but Bran was paranoid that he’d miss it, so he stuck close to the auction block. His cell phone buzzed and he ignored it. By the time they’d started the bidding on lot number twenty-nine, he’d forgotten about his unread text message. He won the lot, but paid plenty—to the tune of twelve hundred bucks. Struggling to carry the three boxes to the trailer, he set them on the ground and opened the doors. No sign of Harper.

Did you really expect her to be here waiting for you in the dark? Especially after the rude way you used her and left her?

Scowling, he dragged the boxes inside. He started to wander around, then figured it’d be easier just to call her. His finger skated across the screen and he noticed he had a text message. From Harper.

Harper? She never texted him. He touched the icon and the message appeared.

Ran into Alice & she offered me an early ride home. Need 2 talk 2 Bailey 2-nite. C U ltr.

He didn’t know what he’d expected, but it wasn’t that.

Chapter Fifteen

With all the hours Harper spent with Bran, and Bailey’s school schedule, she and Bailey hadn’t spoken in person for over a week. But Harper had a sneaking suspicion Bailey was avoiding her for some reason. Tricking her sister seemed childish, but it was her only option to get Bailey to talk to her.

The front door opened. Harper knew Bailey couldn’t see her lounging in the chair in the living room, since she’d turned off all the lights. She didn’t want to scare her either, but again, no choice. She said, “Bailey.”

The girl screamed like a horror movie queen.

Harper clicked on the table lamp. “Sorry.”

“What the f**k are you doing, lurking in the damn dark, Harper?”

“Waiting for you.”

“Holy crap. I thought you forgot to pay the electric bill.”

“No. I figured you were avoiding me, so I chose a sneak attack. Liberty would be proud.”

“Awesome.” Bailey shifted from foot to foot, as if debating whether to make a break for it.

“Sit down. We need to talk.”

“Where’s Bran’s truck?”

“Around. You wouldn’t have come inside if you’d thought I was here. Have a seat.”

“I only came home for a second. I have to go—”

“Wrong.” Harper pointed at the couch. “Park it. Now.”

“Fine.” Bailey flopped down, arms crossed over her chest, a belligerent set to her mouth. “What’s so damn important?”

“First, I wondered if you wanted to have a graduation party here and invite your friends?”

A look of horror crossed Bailey’s face. “No f**king way.”

Was Bailey’s vehement denial due to the fact that most of her classmates attending the small private high school outside Rawlins had money? Was she embarrassed about living in a dumpy rental?

“Look, Sis, that’s sweet of you to offer. But most the kids I’m graduating with are total douche bags. I’d rather celebrate the fact I’ll never have to see any of their stupid faces again ... without them.”

No party. Not that she was surprised. Check that off the to-do list. “Fine.”

“So that’s what was so damn important that you had to hide in the dark and scare the shit out of me? To talk about a freakin’ graduation party?”

“No. I want to know where you are on the college decision process. I recall a couple of the colleges have housing application deadlines soon, so you’re going to need to make a decision on where—”

“I said I’d handle it. Stop nagging me. Jeez, I’m under enough pressure with finals and all the other stuff. I don’t need you adding to it.”

“Tough. I’ll remind you that your decision affects me too. I’ll need to look for a job. And a place to live nearby.”

Bailey scowled. “Why don’t you just forget about me and figure out where you want to move?”

That jarred her. “What?”

“I’m eighteen. You don’t have to babysit me. You’re off the hook, Harper. You can do whatever you want with your life. Go anywhere. Don’t base your decision on where you want to live on mine.”

Annoyed by Bailey’s blasé attitude, Harper snapped. “What’s really going on, Bailey? You afraid your older sister will cramp your style at college? That I’ll be tagging along all the time, wearing my toga, screaming, ‘Where’s the frat party?’ ”

She rolled her eyes. “Maybe you should enroll in drama classes. You’ve got a knack for comedic timing.”

“Don’t be flip. This is serious.”

“I know. But as you’ve pointed out, this is my decision. You’ve got to let me make it.” Even if you don’t like it was implied.