Against the Wind, Season 2, Episode 1 (Rising Storm) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Thunder rolled in the distance, and a breeze slapped him in the face. He hunched into his jacket as he turned the corner to find his truck.
    And found himself slammed up against the building. His head cracked against the brick, and stars exploded behind his eyes. “What the hell?”
    Logan tightened his grip on Tucker’s arms and leaned in until their noses were almost touching. “You fucking stay away from her, or I swear to God, I’ll cut off your arms and grind them in our meat grinder.”
    Tucker winced. “Dude. That’s sick.”
    Fury lit Logan’s blue eyes. “Yeah. That’s me. Sick.”
    Tucker sighed, suddenly feeling a million years older than pretty much everybody. “Listen, crackerjack. I wasn’t on a date with your girl. Jesus. I’m old enough to be her…well, her much older uncle. And I’d never do that to you.” He broke Logan’s hold and shoved his cousin back a foot.
    “Bullshit. You stole Hannah from Tate, and now you move on to Ginny?” Logan slid one foot back in a clear pre-attack mode, his eyes a little wild.
    Tucker held up a hand. “Tate, Hannah, and I are none of your business. As for Ginny, she was sitting all by herself in the back booth, looking like she was about to cry, and everyone seemed to be talking about her. Of course I sat down.”
    Logan’s arms dropped to his sides. He blinked. “She was crying?”
    “No.” Tucker kept from rubbing the back of his head. God, his cousin was screwed up. The kid wasn’t even really mad at Tucker—just needed to strike out. “Her chin was up, and she was trying really hard not to cry. She looked too scared to walk out.” Okay. She hadn’t looked scared per se, but hell. Why not give Logan some incentive? He’d been happy with Ginny. “So I sat with her so she’d eat. I’m not sure she’s really eating. Stress, you know?”
    Logan paled.
    Tucker shook his head. This was none of his business. “Listen, Logan. She’s a frightened, nice girl who made a huge mistake. If you want her to be yours, then do something about it. If you don’t, than stop acting like you do.”
    Logan pressed both hands to his fit hips. “You’re giving me dating advice, cousin?”
    Tucker scrubbed his hand down his face. “That’s a very good point. Although, considering you just shoved me against a wall, I feel the right to at least express my opinion.” Ginny and Logan weren’t kids anymore, without a doubt, so he should let them be. “Anyway, I’m sorry you got the wrong impression. It made her sad.” With that parting shot, he shoved by Logan and headed for his truck.
    How many family members were going to try and beat him up in one day?
     

Chapter Five
    Hannah Grossman finished checking the collie’s leg. “It’s okay, Bernie. A couple of weeks with a cast, and you’ll be just fine, baby.” She ran her hands through the dog’s fur, and he whimpered with what almost sounded like gratitude. “Pain pills rock, right?”
    The dog snored himself into dreamland.
    Hannah smiled and stood, wincing as her aching back popped. It had been a busy day at the small veterinary clinic. Many animals had needed assistance, while quite a few others suddenly had required checkups as their owners wanted to let her know about the big fight earlier in town. At least it was Friday night and she had the entire weekend off to recuperate.
    The gossips had wanted to see her reaction to the brawl for themselves. Several had asked questions about Tucker and Tate, their gazes gleaming and judgmental, even as they sidled in for the scoop.
    The bell over the door rang, and she groaned. It was way past closing time, but if an animal needed help, she’d be there. However, if anybody just wanted to gossip, she was done for the damn day. Plastering on a smile, she strode into the reception area and stopped cold. “Tate.”
    The lawyer stood in the bright room, his sinewed body filling out the pressed slacks and dress shirt perfectly. His hair was wet and slicked back