Page 6 of 40 and (So Over) Fixing It
“My nephew just came in from California.”
“Oh?” A sense of dread crept from her belly to her throat.
“Yeah, nice young man.” Rich was about the only person who would equate Erin withyoung.Even her in-laws had gotten past that stage. “He doesn’t really know anybody around here. Maybe I could set you up with him this weekend, get you to show him around town?”
Lily shot Erin a sympathetic look just beneath Rich’s radar. Let’s face it, if you were anold maid, like Erin and her friends had long been considered—all being single, or at least formerly single—people were always trying to hook them up with someone, thinking they needed something more than what they already had in their lives. Or her life, since Lily and Claire were now firmly attached. That old-fashioned perception that being single and in her forties made her an old maid never seemed to go away. At least she didn’t have any cats or they’d be calling her the crazy cat lady.
Well, there was a barn cat that visited on occasion, but that old tom really belonged to her in-laws.
She mustered up her most appreciative smile. “I appreciate that, Rich, but I’m really busy with the project at the resort…”
“All work and no play,” he pointed out.
They really did see her as a boring old maid, didn’t they?
Erin tried to laugh it off. “That’s very true. Unfortunately my play will have to wait until we get farther along in this project. But I appreciate the thought.”
“Besides—” Lily gave Rich her best, brightest politician’s smile. Erin narrowed her eyes, suspicion sparking. “Erin’s new boyfriend won’t want to share her.”
An awkward pause followed Lily’s words. Erin could see the battle in Rich’s eyes—he wanted desperately to know who said boyfriend was, either because he was just nosy or to have the privilege of sharing the latest juicy bit of town gossip. He also wanted Erin to hook up with his nephew. The two needs duked it out as she watched, but the need for gossip won out. “Boyfriend?”
“Oh yes,” Lily said before Erin could correct Rich’s mistaken impression. “He’s such a playboy, but he’s fallen hard for our Erin.” She reached across the table and patted Erin’s hand indulgently. “We just love him for her.”
Big Rich didn’t look like he was about to give up. “Well…” He drew the word out with obvious reluctance. “What was his name, you say?”
Rich was out at the farm enough he’d recognize the name if they gave it to him. Erin shot Lily a don’t-take-this-too-far glance. “Oh, no one you know.”
The stubble along Rich’s jaw made a raspy sound as he scrubbed a hand on it. “Maybe you can point him out to me. Y’all will be at the pub on Thursday, right?”
It was their weekly ritual, but Erin was now thinking about skipping it. “Uh…”
Lily jumped into the gap. “We will, although we’re not sure if Erin’s boyfriend can make it. He’s so busy.”
“Sounds like you two are a pair,” Rich said, disapproval pulling the edges of his mouth down. What was it with people criticizing her work ethic lately? “Maybe we’ll see you there.” Another awkward pause settled over them while the big man stood there beside the table, seeming to be searching for something else to say, but then he nodded. “Okay. Enjoy the drinks!”
They assured him they would, and he headed back toward the kitchen.
Lily shook her head. “First Clay and then Willard and now Big Rich’s nephew. How many men are you going to turn down this week?”
“As many as it takes for everyone to leave me alone.”
Lily eyed her. “Yeah, you might be a lost cause.” She winked. “After all, if you won’t date Clayton, I don’t think there’s anybody else that could possibly spark your interest.”
Erin groaned as Adrian arrived with their plates. “Eat. Then you can smother me in wedding talk.” And hopefully forget about throwing Clayton her way.
“Oh, you’re asking for it now!” Lily launched into a discussion about her latest decisions on the catering for her Christmas Day wedding, and Erin sat back with a sigh of relief. Finally, someone else’s love life to discuss. Hers was fine, thank you very much. When was everyone going to accept that?
Of course, that didn’t stop her from a little daydreaming when Lily moved on to tales of her wedding dress and the matching ribbons on her and JD’s cake.
ChapterThree
“Dad,” Thad called from the back where he was strapped into the seat opposite Carter, “can we stop for an apple pie?”
Carter glanced at the golden arches outside his window as they swept past. “Nope. You had a shake with your chicken nuggets two hours ago, right after we left the airport. That’s plenty of dessert.”
“Are you sure?” That wheedle only ten-year-olds could perfect sneaked into his son’s voice. “I don’t remember a shake. I think I had apple juice.”
Thad said the wordsapple juicelike he’d sayrancid milk. He hated apple juice.
