Page 61 of Mustang Summer

“Wondering what you’re doing this weekend.”Ugh, even the woman’s voice was sexy.

“Working.”

“You’re always working.But you and I both know you take a night off once in a while.”

Josie almost swallowed her tongue.These two had a history.

How did she feel about that?Sure, she was a little raw from getting cheated on, but her and Gage were history and she still had to interact with him.But Brock didn’t know she worked with her ex.She slowed her steps, needed to see how this was going to play out.

“So, whaddya say?”the woman continued “We grab a bite Friday night and hang out?”

“No, thank you.”

Josie suppressed a chortle.Only Brock would give a woman a simple turn down.She sidled around the scorned woman and twined her hand around Brock’s bicep.

He filed his magazine back in place.“Nice to see you again,” he told the girl he’d just shut down and started for the door.

The poor girl looked horribly embarrassed.Josie resisted a smug grin as Brock towed her out of the store.His replies had all sounded programmed and from what she knew of him, they probably were.

They settled back into his truck and he took off back for his house.

Josie stared out the window, but something about the whole drugstore scenario bothered her.Why?Brock had been asked out by a gorgeous woman, one he may have hooked up with before, and he’d said no.

She mulled it over as they passed fields that were slowly turning golden brown and fields with giant sunflower heads swiveling to track the sun.Signs of the big storm showed in areas; trees were downed and sections of the crops were flattened, but overall, they looked healthy.Her talk with Brock earlier snaked through her thoughts.

Ah, that was what bugged her.“Did you think of telling her you had a girlfriend?”

“Why would I need to?”One arm was slung over the steering wheel, accentuating his broad shoulders.His black hair curled around the rim of his hat.Brock was hot and it wasn’t going to be the last time he was propositioned by someone.

Why would I need to?Josie’s initial reaction was to be offended, but she had to get over that.He’d said no to Friday night with the sexy nurse because he wasn’t interested in her.

“I’d feel better if women knew you were taken.So if any more try to ask you out…”

He nodded in understanding.“Tell them I have a girlfriend.”

“I know it’s not necessary, but it’d make me feel better.”Although…she thought of Camilla—it might make some girls try harder.

But Brock wasn’t Gage.

“I don’t know why she wanted a date.”Brock parked in front of his house.“She called me an insensitive prick who had no idea how to treat a woman before she broke up with me.”

“Sounds like she was the insensitive prick.”

Brock sighed and adjusted his hat.“I don’t want to talk about her anymore.”

Josie smiled.Things were over between her and Gage, but she didn’t want to discuss him or how it ended.“I don’t, either.Open the windows to get a breeze through here and let’s make out.”

Chapter12

Mr.Blackwell helped Brock load the Shelby onto the flatbed trailer hitched to Brock’s truck.Brock would’ve preferred to do it himself, butRespect your elderswas another of his mom’s sayings.Follow their direction, don’t argue with them—yes, Brock, even if you’re right.Just remember, you might not be as right as you think.

Mr.Blackwell knew his car, though.Brock appreciated the constant commentary of everything he’d done to the car over the years.

He checked over all the fastenings, but as he got closer to the driver’s door, Josie stayed him with a hand on his arm.

He was about to ask what was wrong, when she inclined her head toward Mr.Blackwell.

The old man was staring at the Shelby mounted on the trailer.His eyes were shiny and he held his weathered hat over his heart.

---