Page 24 of So Right
“Sure. Let me know when you want to set up a meeting. We’ll have things we want to discuss with them first. I want to understand what they plan to do—how invasive they’ll be. That sort of thing.”
“Of course. Crystal is setting that up, but I’ll make sure she gets in touch with you.”
He handed the phone back to her. “Thanks.”
“No, thankyou.” She stashed her phone in her pocket and gave him a warm smile. “We appreciate you being so cool about this.”
It wasn’t hard. He wanted to help. “What can I say, your passion for this project is contagious.”
She laughed, and they continued along the trail for a few minutes.
He decided to pursue his curiosity about her. “So, uh, why’d you decide to come with me today?” He watched her body language to see if it would tell him anything.
She kept her gaze trained straight ahead. “My friends keep saying I should get out more, and they’re right. And who better to get me away from work than another workaholic.”
“I can’t argue with your logic.”
“So tell me about your family,” she said, perhaps deflecting the topic to something safer. “You said you were happy to move to California, and yet you came back and started a business with your brothers. And don’t you live with Jamie?”
“Uh, yeah.” He adjusted his sunglasses over the bridge of his nose. “We’ll see how much longer I can take it. I don’t think I’m meant to have a roommate.”
“I get you.”
“But your grandma is staying with you. How’s that going?”
“It’s fine, to be honest. But she’s moving out today. She’s going to stay in an apartment at the Archers’.”
“Over the garage,” he said. “I’m familiar with it. Is she relocating to Ribbon Ridge?”
“She hasn’t said, but I think she might be considering it. Can I tell you a secret?” She’d lowered her voice despite the fact that they were alone in the forest. “Maybe it isn’t a secret, but it’s sure…weird.”
He slowed and angled toward her, anxious to hear this now. “What?”
“When she first got here last week, she came to the pub, and she met George. They totally flirted with each other, and I’m pretty sure she’s been over there to see him every day. Well, every day that he was there. He was gone once, and she was so disappointed. I think they might even be texting each other.”
Luke howled with laughter. “How is that weird? That’sawesome.”
“Easy for you to say. She isn’t your grandma!”
“No, but George is like everyone’s grandpa. Or crazy uncle. Some sort of relative. He’s quite beloved in Ribbon Ridge.”
She sipped from the hydration pack. “Oh, believe me, I know. He’s so nice to everyone, what’s not to love? But he’s different with my grandma. I think helikesher.”
Luke couldn’t help smiling. “God, I hope so. I’d love to see him settle down.”
The trail narrowed for a few dozen yards, and Kelsey moved in front of him. “He’s never been married?”
“Not that any of us know.” Luke tried not to stare at her backside, but it was damned hard. Thankfully, no one could see him checking her out. “He was a strict military man for years—in the Marines. Then I think he was actually in some sort of intelligence position.”
She glanced back over her shoulder, and he jerked his gaze up. “Wow. I didn’t realize. He doesn’t talk about that too much.”
“No, he doesn’t. He’s pretty tight with Rob Archer, so I’ve heard a few things from Hayden.” The trail widened again, and he quickened his pace to come abreast of her. “Now I’m going to be on the lookout for how George behaves next time I’m in the pub. Maybe I’ll ask him about his love life.”
“No! You can’t do that.” She reached out and grabbed his forearm briefly. Her touch jolted through him like a rocket blasting off. Damn. “Forget I said anything.”
“I wouldn’t say anything,” he said, his arm still thrumming from her touch.
“Hold up for a sec.” She stopped and pulled the pack off, then set it at her feet, letting it lean against her ankle. Grasping the hem of her pullover, she whisked it up over her head. The garment tried to take her base layer—a pale blue tee—along with it, which exposed the slightly curved plane of her abdomen. Again, he tried not to fixate on her, but damn it was getting harder and harder.
