Page 87 of Brewbies
“Thank God,” Caryn said. “After decades of playing hostess, therapist, homemaker, decorator, nurse, muse, chauffeur, and wardrobe consultant, I must admit that it’s rather refreshing.”
Darby could scarcely argue with that logic.
“I’ll talk to Roy,” Caryn said in a measured tone. “But I will need a favor in return.”
By the time this was over, Darby was going to owe the whole county.
“And that would be?”
Caryn stared into her condensation-kissed glass as if it were the Oracle of Delphi. “Once upon a time, Ethan had plans for the land you bought.” When her eyes lifted to Darby’s, they almost looked sad. “I’d like to know what those plans were.”
Darby hesitated for approximately a millisecond before holding out her hand. “Caryn Townsend, you have a deal.”
EIGHTEEN
Heat Exchanger
EQUIPMENT USED TO HEAT THE MIX RAPIDLY
Ethan arrivedat the Cirque du Café at precisely 6:56 p.m., so he sat in his truck for exactly five minutes fucking around on his phone.
At 7:01 p.m., he got out and walked into the shadows of the old oak grove past which her trailer sat dark, except for the lights glowing behind the drawn curtains. Even the strings of patio lights had been turned off in deference to the sexy, slapdash circus behind it.
When he knocked on her door, she took as much time to answer as if she lived in a five-story mansion.
Not that he knew what that was like.
He would have thought of something amazing to say if she wasn’t standing there looking like a desperate housewife circa 1949, except for the pink hair and sex-kitten makeup.
Her turquoise polka-dot dress made her look like a birthday present waiting to be unwrapped.
Ethan opened his mouth to tell her so, but she beat him to it.
“LavenderandAfrican daisies? Is this a peace bouquet?” She snatched the carefully wrapped flowers and buried her entire face in them before taking a huge whiff. “Come on in, I’m just freshening up. I didn’t expect you early.”
He scowled and checked his watch. “I’m not early. I’m a minute…two minutes late,” he amended as the dial flipped over.
“Oh my God, you’re the cutest. Follow me.” She bustled in, laying the flowers on the counter on the way to the back hall.
“It’s the bouquet I thought looked most like it belonged to you,” he confessed as the entire Airstream tilted slightly to accommodate his weight. “I only know lavender because the color and flower match.”
A smile toyed with the corners of her pink mouth as she applied gloss in her tiny hallway that doubled as an armoire. “Maybe you’re the kind of guy who just knows things. Listens to intuition.”
Christ, he’d already dicked this woman down several times—hell, a few hours ago in the very spot he stood—so why were his palms sweating like this was his first date ever? “Nah. I’m your regular, oblivious, straight white male who can’t tell his ass from a hole in the ground.”
The smile appeared in full force, accompanied by a wink that did something funny to his insides. “It’s okay. I’d know your ass anywhere,” she teased. “Between you and me, we’ll keep track.”
“Don’t flirt with me inside your trailer,” he grumbled.
She looked over from where she teased her curls into a victory roll. “Why not?”
“Because we’re not having sex tonight.”
She froze mid-stick with a bobby pin, and skewered him with her glare. “Excuse me?”
It was Ethan’s turn to smirk. “I hope you’re wearing a chastity belt, because my hands, mouth, and other parts are staying north of the waist.”
Her pout was enough to shake his resolve, but instead of arguing, she said, “Okay, then. I’ll be right back.” Ethan didn’t think he’d made a face until she clarified, “I have to put on panties.”
