Rugged Fire [Rugged Savage Valley, Colorado 4] Read Online Free PDF Page A

Seward was here, and she was lugging someone behind her. Someone who looked eerily similar to her, in fact. He wracked his brain, trying to remember if Seb had said anything about her having a sister.
    At that moment, she looked up and spotted him. Her face lit up, and she waved. It had been a little over a week since Seb had called her about the partial loan. Will was impressed with how well she’d taken the news. The next morning she’d called to inform them that she’d put together a new business plan that took into account the budget cuts they’d sent her. She’d been in touch ever since to discuss all the details that needed to fall into place.
    “Hi, Will! I didn’t realize you’d be at the game tonight.”
    “We come to every home game. I haven’t seen you before.” He winced, knowing he sounded harsh and accusatory. She did something to him. Her wide violet eyes rose to his face, and he thought he saw a moment of questioning, a moment of pushing and seeking. For a crazy instant, he wanted nothing more than to reach out and hold a strand of her silky hair between his fingers. He wanted to smell it and taste it.
    But then she smiled, pulling her friend in front of her. “I normally wouldn’t brave the crowd at a game like this, but Jamie here has never been to a high school football game.”
    “Never been to any football game,” Jamie corrected, thrusting her hand out. “Nice to meet you.”
    “Likewise. I’m Will Carson.” After Lianne had settled on the bleachers next to him, and Jamie on her other side, Will asked, “So how is it you’ve never been to a football game, Jamie?”
    Before Jamie could answer, Lianne said, “Oh, her father doesn’t much care for public schooling, so she went to a bunch of really exclusive schools, and they didn’t do the whole ‘football’ thing. It’s much too frivolous for them. She didn’t want to come tonight, but I feel like this is such a necessary part of life, don’t you, Will?”
    “Possibly.”
    “I mean, obviously you do. You were varsity captain. How could you not?”
    “That was a while ago,” he said.
    “Oh please! I know I was just a little runt of a seventh grader, but all the boys in my grade thought you were the coolest. You and Seb. You two were kings. Everyone looked up to you. Everyone still does.” She beamed over at him but then leaned closer to her friend. “Don’t let his impassivity fool you. He’s a Savage Valley champion. Our little mountain lion team went to state and won his senior year.”
    Thankfully, Will spotted Seb heading up toward them with two Styrofoam cups in his hand. Will was saved from providing a response, none of which came readily to his mind. Of course he knew that a lot of Savage Valley natives looked up to him and his brother. That was why they took their position at the bank very seriously and why they made sure to attend every home game. Why they made it to every town meeting and every town event. They knew they had a role to fill. The thing was, it was never more than a burden for them, never something that either of them enjoyed. Will found it tiresome to interact with people at the bank. He dreaded hobnobbing with all the mountain lion fans at games.
    He was a part of Savage Valley because he had to be, not because he particularly wanted to be.
    “Lianne,” Seb said as he approached, smiling, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
    “I brought my friend to the game. Jamie,” she said, turning to her friend, “this is Seb Carson.” Will detected an odd note in her voice. He’d heard it when she’d introduced him, and it was even more noticeable now that he knew to listen for it. And this time, he realized that it was accompanied by a pointed look at his brother. “And Seb”—she turned toward Seb—“this is my friend Jamie Norman.”
    Will froze, something clicking and falling into place in his mind. “Jamie,” he asked, a suspicion forming in his mind, “did you say that your