Amber’s tummy sank. He did not look happy.
Chapter Four
?
??Catie, why in the hell are you hanging out with Blake Buchanan?”
Amber exhaled, relieved. Harper was angry with Catie, not with her. Blake hadn’t gotten to him, though Harper had no doubt already guessed her secret.
“He’s a friend of Chad’s.”
“I just spoke with Chad. They aren’t friends. Blake used to work here. Chad thinks he’s okay, but they aren’t friends.”
“I just thought, since Amber wanted to learn to race and all, and Blake knows more about racing than anyone else in this town, except maybe Dusty—”
“You weren’t thinking at all, little bit. The man’s no good. I want both you and Amber to stay away from him.”
Fine with me, Amber thought. Not that she took orders from men, not even a man with kissing skills like Harper Bay. This edict, however, she’d be happy to obey. In fact, if Harper decided to chase Mr. Buchanan right out of this town, she’d be okay with that.
“Chad says he’s okay,” Catie said.
“Chad says he was a good worker. That’s what he told me. He also said he’s not hiring him back right now, and he asked both his brothers not to either.”
“Right. Because none of them need anyone.”
“True enough. But also because Blake doesn’t have the best reputation. He got chased out of Bakersville three years ago and he maintains his innocence. No one knows for sure who fathered Evie’s miscarried baby except Evie herself. Hell, I don’t care if it was Blake. They were both consenting adults at the time, and it’s ancient history. So he runs off to San Antonio and now he’s back. Why now?”
“I don’t know,” Catie said. “Maybe he missed it here.”
“Could be.” Harper stroked his chin. “But there’s more to why Blake left San Antonio than you know.”
“What might that be?” Amber asked. She couldn’t help herself. Curiosity got the best of her.
“I can’t tell you. I got the information in confidence from a friend.”
“What friend?”
“Let’s just say I made a quick phone call while Chad and I were talking.”
“A phone call to whom?”
“I can’t say. I’m sorry. Just stay away from Buchanan, both of you.”
“Come on. You have to tell us,” Catie said. “You must have told Chad.”
“No, I didn’t tell Chad, and I don’t have to tell you. And I’m not going to. I will tell you that Blake no longer has contact with his parents, sister, and little brother. They wrote him off a couple years ago.”
“So we’re supposed to just do what you say because you say it? Without any information?” Catie whipped her hands to her hips.
Harper chuckled. “You look just like Angie when you do that.”
“You’re avoiding my question.”
“That’s right. I’m done talking about this.” He turned to Amber. “Another cosmo?”
Amber shook her head. “Nope. I always stop at two.”
Catie let out a laugh. “Yup, she always stops at two. When are you going to tell me why that is, Amber?”