Page 6 of One Scorching Summer

Serene and totally relaxed, the women glided out of Simple Harmony in the late afternoon, their flasks refilled with watermelon and lime-infused water. They ambled through the small town, exploring the shops lining the cobblestone streets of Eagle Creek.

“I’m so glad we changed dinner to later.” Nettie held the door open to a boutique home decor store. “I’m not in the mood to rush.”

“Neither am I. This morning’s yoga class was a little rough, and the sauna … The hangover juice helped, but holy hell, it was still a challenge to make it through the sauna. But now? I feelgreat.”

Jorja stepped inside and returned the greeting and smile of the woman behind the counter. In the late afternoon, it was quiet; they were only shoppers in the store. “This is adorable.”

“The Grail is my favorite store in Eagle Creek,” Nettie said, following closely behind, rapidly surveying the items on display. “I could drop some serious money here. Girl, you’ve got to help me behave. Oh …” She dramatically placed a palm on her chest and rushed past Jorja, toward a collection of pottery.

“Let’s just browse and dream then.” Jorja called, hanging back. The last thing she needed was to buy stuff and haul it for three hours back to Landry. She kept an eye on Nettie, who seemed to have forgotten about her, and approached the counter. “Hi. I’d appreciate your help.”

“Of course. A gift?” The woman’s eyes flicked to Nettie, who was mesmerized by a three-foot tall clay and black-mottled urn, and returned to Jorja. “You’re buying for your friend?”

“That’s my plan,” Jorja said. “It seems that she’s fallen for a certain rustic piece.”

“Every one of them is one-of-a-kind, vintage. There were three times more when they arrived on Thursday.”

“So, don’t wait?”

“I wouldn’t.”

Nettie’s expression was wistful as she parted with the piece she had been ogling. The large rustic vessel would look amazing in her new home.

Jorja sidled closer to the counter and the saleswoman. “How much is that?”

It was within what she intended to spend for a housewarming gift. Jorja addressed Nettie. “Looks like you found something.”

Nettie sashayed toward the counter. “Yes, but it’s a want instead of a need. I should wait since I’ve been bucking up against this month’s budget.”

“We’ll take it,” Jorja said to the saleswoman, handing her cash, admiring again how her friend adhered to a strict budget, living within her means on what she earned instead of sucking off the tit of her trust fund. “My ‘new digs’ gift to you, sweet friend.”

Nettie threw her arms around Jorja. “It’s absolutely perfect. I love it. Thank you.”

“Do you have enough room in your vehicle? How far are you traveling?” The sales woman eyed the urn while pulling a generous amount of bubble wrap and packing tape from a bin.

“We’re going to Ulen, and yes. I’ve got a truck. We can put it in the bed with no problem.”

“Park your truck in the loading zone in front.” The saleswoman approached the urn and stuffed it with bubble wrap. “I’ll begin getting it ready for the trip. I’d appreciate your help getting it onto the dolly and secured in your truck.”

Jorja parked the truck in front of The Grail. After the vintage piece was firmly in place using ratchet straps, she glanced up. Rake Carpenter strolled the opposite sidewalk, his attention on a tall, attractive blonde walking at his side as she spoke to him. To evoke that type of easy intimacy with a man who looked like him … A fierce consuming desire ignited, mixed with vexation and envy. The reprimand, borne of common sense, extinguished all of it.What the hell? Anger, sure. Jealousy?You’re out of your mind.

As if he sensed her, Rake glanced over at Jorja and nodded, one corner of his mouth hitching up into a lazy smile, then he disappeared inside the restaurant behind his date.

Mortified, Jorja turned away, acting as if she was window shopping, when the truth was thatwhointrigued her was the magnificent specimen of man across the street. A sense of emptiness filled her. Mixing pleasure and business would only end up a disaster. “Dammit.” She whispered dejectedly.

“What gives? It’s like you suddenly lost your mojo.” Nettie’s brow furrowed as she examined Jorja. “You okay?”

Jorja squeezed one of Nettie’s hands. “I think my system is unsettled from the combination of a too much wine, yoga before breakfast, and a day of decadent pampering in less than eighteen hours.”

“When you put it that way, I guess we’ve put our bodies through a lot. So, another quiet movie night it is, after dinner.”

Back at the condo, they struggled with Granddad’s doors once again—getting in was always easier than getting out—and stumbled ungraciously from the truck. The women carefully extracted the vintage pottery from the truck’s bed and carried it into the converted space, where Nettie gave it a place of honor next to the french doors leading out to the patio and garden, where Jorja had envisioned it.

Then they changed clothes and headed to Beugy’s.

Rake stood in the dark corner of the poolroom nursing a beer and making progress with his roast beef sandwich. He contemplated Jorja Ogden, surprised to see her wolfing down half of a fried whole chicken, pickles, and sweet onions. Where in that slim, curvy body did she put it? She was with Nettie Shay—Levi’s girl. His best friend was serious about the perky blonde.

Jorja lounged in her chair, easily blending into the Ulen vibe. Her clothes were a marked contrast to the sexy get-up she had worn to the ranch. Her long, shapely legs extended under the table. Legs any hot-blooded man could appreciate, God knows he sure as hell did. Tonight, cowboy boots replaced the ridiculous heels, and her exquisite form was dressed in loose, frayed denim cut-offs and a clingy top displaying plenty of sun-kissed skin, stirring his imagination. A messy updo secured her long chestnut hair. It looked soft, tantalizing. What would it be like to wrap the thick tresses around his hand as he kissed her breathless? He wanted to know in the worst way.

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