Page 83 of Extreme Romancing in Idaho

Angie looked at me. “He’s tolerable.”

“Okay. Nice to meet youtaller-rable Remington.”

I laughed as she finally took my hand but grimaced when the pig squealed again. “I don’t like it when the piggy is upset.”

I turned my attention to the mud-covered men carrying the whining animal. They managed to place the pig in the barrel and a cheer went through the crowd. I tended to agree with Maddie, I felt for the pig. “It’ll be our turn soon.” I nudged Angie. “Maddie, want to join our team?”

“No.” She didn’t hesitate, then tugged on Angie’s arm. “Are you going to go in there? With him?”

“He thinks I’m going to, but I’m sonotgoing in there to get all muddy and chase around a pig for sport. I’m in my swimming suit, and I’ve had a rough morning …”

The longer Angie went on, the more emphatic Maddie’s nod became. Without hesitation, she joined the force against me. It appeared I had to win over more than Angie.

“Might I remind you of condition number three?” I held three fingers in Angie’s face. “You have to do …” Motioning to her, I waited for her to finish my sentence.

“Everything you say,” she mumbled. “But this doesn’t count—”

“Bup-bup-bup.” I put my index finger over her full lips. She narrowed her eyes, and for a split second, I thought she would open her mouth and bite my finger. Didn’t know why, but I found this to be a bit erotic. “I picked up every single rock from one side of your farm to the other, because you told me to. It goes both ways …”

“I also pay you,” she said around my finger.

“Is this the weird human who has been working on your farm? Nora says Mae doesn’t like him.” Maddie folded her arms and jutted her hips out like a teen. I guessed her to be under ten. I caught sight of a scar slanting across her cheek and couldn’t help but wonder what happened.

I let my hand fall to my side once again. “You and I both know I don’t need your money,” I whispered, making sure the super-observant kid didn’t overhear. “I have other motivations for staying.” I raised my eyebrows suggestively at her.

She stiffened. “No.”

Rex Southerland, the mayor of this small-town, announced Angie and me over the loudspeaker, followed by the name of our team … The Bacon Bandits. Capitalizing on this opportunity, I whipped out our shirts. An image of a pig with a mask and a cape sneaking off with a bag of money centered on the shirt.

“You’re not joking.” Angie put a hand to her forehead. “When did you have time to get these made?”

“Do you have one for me?” Maddie pointed at the logo.

“You can have mine.” After all, I matched them well enough already with my plain white shirt. I winked at the little girl. “Or I can get one made in your size.”

“I’ll take it.” Maddie snatched my shirt and pulled it over her head. “And I’ll be on your team. But I’m not going in there.” She pointed to the pen.

The men working the ring, thankfully, switched the much larger pig to one that could be managed by two people. If I’d been pitted against that other beast, I would have lost my nerve and run screaming back to my truck. “Okay, Maddie. Go over there and wait for my signal.” I pointed to the pens where the other pigs were being held and gave her the rest of her marching orders.

“Angie? Remi? I see you over there. Stop making eyes at each other and go catch yourself a pig.”Rex’s mechanical voice boomed over the loudspeaker.

The stands erupted in laughter.

“We’re coming, Rex. Give us another minute!” I shouted toward the announcer’s booth.

“One minute. Convince her quick.”Another laugh came from the bleachers.“Can we get sixty seconds on the clock?”

The scoreboard lit up with one minute on the clock and began ticking down.

60 … 59 … 58 …

“Are you going to make me wrestle a pig by myself?” I leveled one of my smiles on her I knew to be effective on other women.

“Don’t forget about me.” Maddie’s adult large shirt hung well past her knees.

47 … 46 … 45 …

“Stop looking at me like that.” Angie folded her arms and glared at me. “The whole town is watching.”

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