Page 45 of Bachelor Remedy

“Sound good?”

“You have no idea. Well, that’s not true, because you obviously figured it out.”

“Well, you pretty much told me.” Tag flashed her a grin. “And I’ll admit to paying attention when I’m interested.”

Yikes. What a perfect thing to say. Already this was the best date she’d ever had.

The pickup veered onto the road leading up to the Faraway Inn while Tag explained that his sister Shay had asked him to pick up some parts for one of the inn’s hot tub pumps while he was in Glacier City. Ally understood completely. It was standard procedure when you grew up in a remote place to run errands and shop for family and friends whenever you headed to the city.

“This won’t take long.” He pulled the pickup into a visitor space in the lot.

They walked inside and turned down the first hallway. An office door was open and female voices and laughter drifted toward them. Tag strode in without knocking. Ally followed. Conversation halted. Three pairs of curious-sister eyes fixed on them—Shay’s, Hannah’s and Iris’s.

Hannah seemed to recover the quickest. “Hey, Tag. Ally, hi!”

“You guys know Ally,” Tag said, with a gentle touch to her elbow. “Obviously.”

Shay’s eyes narrowed. “Are you two here…” She gestured between them. “Together?” Then she focused on Ally and asked in a cool tone, “Or is there something I can help you with, Ally?”

Tag answered for them both, “If by together you’re trying to ask if Ally and I are on a social outing the answer is yes.”

Shay opened her mouth to speak, then closed it in a tight-lipped scowl.

Ally felt encouraged by the reactions of the other two women; Hannah appeared happily surprised while Iris’s knowing smile gave the impression she was downright thrilled.

Hannah said, “Ally, I’m glad you’re here. I was going to stop by and talk to you today. It’s working! Between the tea and the acupuncture, I haven’t felt this good in so long. Not ever, I think—definitely not since the accident. Thank you.”

Tag swiveled his head to look at her, adding another pair of curious eyes to the mix.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help, but truly, I’m just the messenger.” Ally had given Hannah the name of an acupuncturist she knew who had a practice in Glacier City. And the tea was an herbal mix her grandfather made that helped with inflammation. Normally she wouldn’t pass it on, but her grandfather had given her permission, and she’d explained to Hannah that it was only something she’d do for family or friends.

Hannah asked, “Um, did someone else call you, by any chance? She’s sort of a friend of a friend.”

“She stopped by.”

“Already? Well, that’s good, but I was going to ask you first if it was okay.”

Ally gave her an encouraging smile she hoped conveyed more than she could say. “It’s fine. It was nice to meet her.”

“Awesome.” Hannah’s face split with a wide grin. “I hope you can help her, too.”

Shay stood. “Tag, I’ll show you the part I need so you guys can get going on your…outing.”

* * *

TAG FOLLOWED SHAY out of the office, trying not to feel concerned by the conversation he’d just witnessed. They walked through the inn until they exited out a set of doors. They kept going across the property to an outbuilding that housed supplies and tools.

Inside, Shay flipped on the lights and then whirled toward him, her face radiating tension and anger. “Are you dating her?”

“I’m going on a date with Ally, yes. And simultaneously doing a favor for my sister.”

Shay dipped her head and pinched the bridge of her nose for a few seconds before accosting him with another scowl. “How much do you like her?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know yet. This is our first date.”

That answer seemed to appease her, even though she was obviously under the mistaken impression that he hadn’t formed an opinion yet when the fact was that he just didn’t know how hard he’d fallen.

“Good. There’s still time. How old is she?”

“Why does that matter?” Why was he being defensive when he had his own concerns about the age difference?

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