Country Frost (King Creek Cowboys #8)

Chapter 15

15

“ I can’t wait to see Leeann at her first book signing.” Ashley skipped at Porter’s side as they walked through the mall in Scottsdale. “It’s exciting to know a real author.”

Porter glanced at his kid sister, and the corner of his mouth tipped at her enthusiasm. He sure was smiling more, thanks to the two females in his life. Ashley and Leeann meant more to him than anything.

He thought about Christmas Eve when Leeann had said she wanted several kids. Holy hell, but he’d never considered being a father throughout his bachelorhood. But Ashley had changed his way of thinking, and he did like kids. Raising a family with Leeann—well, that might just be all right.

“How dare you.” A woman’s angry voice snapped him out of his thoughts, just before she slapped him, stinging his face. “Endangering this poor child.”

She raised her hand to slap him again, and by reflex, he caught her wrist in his hand to stop her.

“Let me go,” she shrieked, and he released her as if he’d been burned. “How dare you grab me. ”

“Leave him alone.” Ashley stood at his side, glaring at the woman.

“Whoa, ma’am.” He held up both hands, palms out. “What in the hell is going on?”

The woman turned her head and looked at a man, who had his camera up. “Did you get that he tried to hurt me, Ron?”

“He was just stopping you from hitting him again,” Ashley shouted. “He didn’t hurt you at all.”

“Ash, let me take care of this.” Porter rested his hand on her shoulder before turning back to the woman. “You clearly have me confused with someone else.”

“No, it’s you.” A second man marched up and narrowed his eyes. “You’re the guy who’s been involved in illegal adoptions. You need to turn this girl in.”

The man grabbed Ashley’s arm, and she screamed.

Porter stepped in, broke the man’s hold on Ashley, and pushed the man away from her.

The man stumbled back, tripped over his own feet, and fell flat on his ass.

Porter clenched his fists at his sides, wanting to hit the man so bad his jaw ached with it. “Never touch her again, or I’ll make you wish you hadn’t.”

“You’re recording this, right?” the woman shouted at Ron, who still held the camera up. “You saw him push Bart and knock him down.”

“Sure did, Cindy,” he responded.

“You’ve got the wrong man.” Porter set his jaw. “Now get out of our way.”

A mall cop came around the corner, hands resting on his utility belt. “Is there a problem here?”

The woman named Cindy pointed at Porter. “This man touched me, and he knocked Bart down.”

“He caught your wrist because you tried to slap him again.” Ashley pushed her way in front of Porter before he could stop her. “She walked up out of nowhere and slapped him.” She pointed at the man who had gripped her forearm, who was now scrambling to his feet. “And he grabbed my arm.”

Porter looked at his sister. “Ash, I’ll take care of this.”

The mall cop turned to the woman. “Is that true?”

“It’s on video.” Cindy pointed to Ron, who still held up the camera. “You can see he tried to hurt me.”

Porter had never been so angry in his life. It was one thing to attack him and another to touch his sister.

He tried to keep his voice calm. “Officer, I have no idea who these people are, but they have me confused with a man who has the same name as me.”

“I’ve seen your face on the internet,” the woman said. “So, it’s really you.”

“Not everything you see on the internet is true,” Ashley shouted from beside Porter.

“I’m going to ask you to leave these people alone,” the mall cop said to Cindy and the two men with her.

“We’ll post this on social media,” Cindy said. “Everyone will see what a horrible person you are.”

She whirled away, and the two men joined her, turning to throw glares over their shoulders at Porter.

“Look like crazies,” the mall cop said to Porter. “Might be best if you leave the mall for now.”

“Sounds like a real good idea.” Porter blew out his breath.

“But we were going to Leeann’s book signing.” Ashley’s face fell.

He met his sister’s gaze. “If those people see us with Leeann, they might do something that will hurt her and her career. We don’t want that.”

Disappointment was written all over her features, but she nodded. “You’re probably right. ”

Porter touched the brim of his hat and nodded to the mall cop. “Thank you, sir.”

The cop nodded in return and then walked away.

“Let’s go, Ash.” He rested his hand lightly on her shoulder and guided her back the way they came. “I’ll text Leeann and let her know something came up.”

“Are you going to tell her what happened?” Ashley fell into step beside him.

“Yes.” They reached the exit, and he held the door open for Ashley. “But not until after her book signing.”

“That’s the best option.” Ashley sounded so adult-like that it made him look at her. She was so young and had been through more than most adults. She was strong, though, and he was proud of her.

Once they were in his truck, he took a moment to send a quick text to Leeann, saying he’d explain later.

For now, he’d call Ellie. When it came down to it, he was probably going to have to do the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life.

Porter and Ashley got home thirty minutes later. She went to her room to read, and he asked her to ignore social media—he was afraid there would be more now to upset her. She agreed not to look today.

He called Ellie and explained what happened, and she said she’d see what she could find out and call him right back.

His phone rang not five minutes later.

“Hi, Porter.” Ellie heaved a sigh over the line. “It’s bad, Porter, really bad. They edited the video so that it looks like you grabbed the woman’s arm for no reason, and it makes it appear that you got physical with the guy with no call for it.”

“Damn.” Porter clenched the phone tighter. “This could hurt Leeann. ”

“It sure can.” Ellie sounded hesitant. “Maybe you need to step back until this is resolved.”

“We’re of the same mind.” Porter blew out his breath. “Thanks for your help, Ellie.”

“No problem,” she said. “I’m sorry it’s come to this.”

“Not nearly as sorry as I am.” He thanked her again and disconnected the call.

Porter stared at the wall, wanting to throw his phone against it and break it into a million little pieces, just like his heart.

He’d never known he could fall so head over heels in love. He’d had plenty of women in his life over the years, but never one who made him want something permanent. With kids even.

Now that had gone all to hell.

Leeann packed up what was left of her bookmarks and swag in her briefcase, a broad smile on her face. She was on cloud nine—her first signing had been a tremendous success. Every one of the fifty books the store had in stock for the signing had sold.

A lot of her family had shown up, but most of the books had been sold before they got there. Even though she insisted she wanted to give her sisters-in-law each one of her copies from home, they’d wanted to buy another to support her. She’d already given books to her mom and sisters, but they’d each purchased one to give to friends.

Haylee and Tyson had shown up with the twins, both looking tired but happy.

Porter and Ashley were the two people missing today. He texted that they couldn’t make it due to something coming up and that he’d explain later.

Ellie walked in. She looked around the table. “Did you sell out?”

Leeann beamed. “Every single copy. ”

“Good thing I have mine.” Ellie smiled. She looked like she had something on her mind.

“What’s up?” Leeann slung the strap of her briefcase over her shoulder.

“Nothing.” Ellie rubbed her eyes with her thumb and forefinger. “Just dealing with some things for clients.”

“Let me thank the store manager and employees,” Leeann said. “I’ll be right back.”

She spent the next ten minutes telling each person how much she appreciated all they’d done for her today. She left some bookmarks for them to give to customers at checkout—who knew, maybe she’d get more readers that way.

When she finished, she met up with her cousin again, and they walked to the parking garage together. Ellie still looked like something was troubling her, but when Leeann pushed, Ellie said everything was fine. Leeann supposed that Ellie would tell her when she was ready if she felt it was something she wanted to share.

They went out for a celebratory drink, one each, then parted ways and headed back to King Creek.

Leeann drove home, her thoughts on Porter. She’d hoped he and Ashley would be there too. What could have kept them away?

Could Porter be having second thoughts, especially when she’d told him she wanted several children?

Or was she overthinking this?

When she pulled into her driveway, she was surprised but pleased to see Porter sitting on her porch steps. She got out of her car, slung her briefcase strap over her shoulder, and headed for the house.

“Hi, Porter.” She smiled as he got to his feet. He looked so serious that her smile faltered .

When she made her way onto the porch, she leaned in for a kiss. He hesitated, then lightly kissed her.

Now she knew something was wrong, very wrong.

“Come on in.” She unlocked the door, walked inside, and held the door open for him.

He stepped through and closed the door behind him. “Can we talk for a moment?”

“Sure.” She slid off her coat and tossed it onto a chair in the living room. She headed toward the kitchen. “First, I need something to drink. Would you like a bottle of water?”

“None for me, thanks.”

She grabbed one for herself and took a swallow. Maybe what she needed was something alcoholic. “I’ve changed my mind. I need a glass of wine. I have beer if you’d like one.”

“I’m fine.”

Leeann poured a glass and carried it to the living room. Porter was sitting in an armchair. She sat on the side of the couch closest to him and took a healthy drink of wine before setting the glass on the end table. He looked so serious that her heart stuttered.

“Okay, what is it?” She leaned forward, forearms on her knees. “What’s wrong?”

“About today.” He went on to explain about him and Ashley being accosted in the mall, and about the threat of it being posted on social media, and that it had been. “Ellie went over it and said it’s real bad.”

“I’m so sorry you and Ashley are dealing with this.” She leaned forward and put her hand on his wrist. “We’ll get through this.”

“No.” He took her hand in his for a moment and gripped it before releasing it quickly. “I’ve come to the decision that we need to call it quits. I can’t have what’s happening to me affect you and your career. ”

Leeann reared back, stunned. “We’ll deal with it together, Porter. I’ll be fine.”

He shook his head. “I don’t know when or if this will ever be over. I’m not going to let it come in the way of your career. You’ve worked too hard for it.”

The back of her spine prickled all the way up to her scalp. “I don’t want to lose you, Porter.”

He stood, his lips in a grim line, and she got to her feet. “I wish circumstances were different. But we have to end this now before things get even worse and before it bleeds into your life.”

She stepped forward, needing to touch him, to convince him that he was wrong, everything would be fine.

But he turned away, went to the door, and opened it. A chilly breeze swept in, goose bumps pebbling her arms.

He bowed his head a moment before looking at her again. “Goodbye, Leeann.” He turned away and closed the door behind him.

She stared at the spot where he’d just been standing, unable to believe this was happening. He was breaking up with her because of social media?

No. This wasn’t happening.

Leeann hurried to the door, wrenched it open, and stood on the porch. Porter’s long strides had already taken him to his truck. He started the big motor and drove away, never looking in her direction.

Tears froze on her cheeks as she remained still for a long moment. Then she turned, walked back into the house, and locked the door.

Like a sleepwalker, she sank into the chair Porter had been sitting in. What had been beautiful and special was gone just like that, a snap of the fingers.

Her thoughts turned to Ashley, and her heart ached even more. She’d imagined having Ashley as a daughter and now she wouldn’t even be able to mother her the way she dearly wanted to.

She had lost not only Porter but his sister, who was as good as his daughter.

More tears rolled down her face, wetting her cold cheeks. Was this an excuse for him to walk away? She forced down the lump in her throat. The naked look of pain on his features told her that it hadn’t been, but it didn’t seem real.

Yeah, it probably would affect her on social media—she even had an adopted child in her book. But he should have let her have a say in the matter.

She straightened in her chair—she didn’t care if it did. Porter meant everything to her, and she didn’t want to lose him or Ashley.

But it looked like she already had. He was the kind of man who made a decision, and nothing would change his mind if he thought it was the right thing to do.

It didn’t feel right to her, but she didn’t think there was a thing she could do about it except beg him to come back. Even then, she knew he’d never change his mind.