Page 10 of 40 and Flashing (the Scotsman)
Something like disappointment—but not disappointment; she wasn’t disappointed—sank in her chest. “So you don’t have to remember the names of the gobs of young females who throw themselves at you?”
“Partly. Women here don’t enjoy being called a ‘hen.’”
If she’d had a drink, she would have spit it out. “‘Hen’?”
“Mmm.”
She had to admit she didn’t want to be called aheneither. Staring back at Gavin, she noticed the amusement looked good on him. Maybe that was why he seemed to prefer that emotion to any other. It took the years off, even as she guess he was slightly older than her, in his late forties or so.
“But did ya know ‘lass’ doesn’t only mean ‘young girl,’” he was saying. “It also means ‘sweetheart.’”
“So you’re using a generic endearment.” Was that worse or better?
Did she see color rising in his cheeks? “I’m commentin’ on the sweetness I know is you, Scarlett.” His amber-colored eyes took on a shine. “I have seen it, after all.”
Her cheeks turned hot in an instant. He certainly had.
Rich was busy seating another couple, thank goodness, so Adrian brought their drinks over. He gave Scarlett a wink. “Who’s your friend?”
Before she could say,Carter’s friend,Gavin had his hand out. “Blackwood. Groomsman.”
“Oh.” The young man shook Gavin’s hand with enthusiasm. “Nice to meet you. I’m Adrian. My mom, Maria, runs the coffee shop.”
“Now I have heard bonnie things about her coffee.”
Adrian’s eyes lit up. “She’s the best. And her coffee’s good too,” he teased.
“Maria is the best,” Scarlett agreed.
Taking out his order pad, Adrian asked, “What can I get you two to eat?”
They gave their orders and sipped their drinks as they waited for the food to arrive. Watching Gavin gaze around the room, Scarlett couldn’t help wondering why the man didn’t have anything better to do. So she asked him.
“Don’t you have wedding stuff going on? Where are the guys?”Why are you wasting an afternoon chasing me down about a book ending instead of spending it with your friends?
He gave her that lopsided grin. “With their fiancées and girlfriends.” He laughed. “I knew comin’ in that they’d all be occupied. I didn’t realize I’d find someone fascinatin’ to help me pass the time.” He tipped his beer toward her.
She tried hard not to blush. The man made her blush far too much as it was.
“So what is there to do around here besides eat Mexican food and read yer books? Not that I don’ want to read more of yer books, but for some reason the author won’t tell me what’s happenin’ next.” He gave her what she hoped was a mock glare.
“It’s not personal,” Scarlett protested.
“On the contrary, it feels very personal.” He waggled his brows at her.
“You’re a big flirt. You know that, right?”
His eyes went wide. “Me? I have never heard that before, no.”
“Liar.”
Gavin chuckled. “Al’right, I have heard it before. What can I say? I might be Scottish, but my mam must’ve kissed the Blarney Stone while she was pregnant with me.”
“More like you traveled over to Ireland and kissed it yourself.”
His smile said he’d never tell. “So, things to do?”
“At Christmastime there’s plenty to do. Black Wolf’s Bluff may be small, but they definitely get into the spirit. There’s a craft fair with local artists at the community center, cookie decorating at Claire’s bakery, hot chocolate at the coffee shop, sleigh rides, Santa visits at various stores, Christmas services at every church in town—of which there are many. This is the South, after all.”
