The Taming of the Bachelor (2 page)

“That pretty much sums it up.”

“And if I wasn’t nice, and McKenna’s best friend...?”

“I would have been all over you like white on rice.”

“Tell me you’re not driving tonight. You’re in no condition to get behind a steering wheel.”

“Not driving. Staying at the Graff.”

“Good.”

“See? That’s what I mean. You’re perfect.”

“I think Reese needs to cut you off.”

“It’s not the liquor. It’s you. I’ve thought you were pretty near perfect from the moment you arrived in Marietta.” She’d moved to Montana about the same time he’d returned to Marietta and she’d arrived looking like the California girl she was—slim, tan, fit, with long blonde hair, high cheekbones, great mouth. He wasn’t surprised when he found out she was from Orange County. She radiated sunshine.

In the past year she’d cut her hair, taking it up to her shoulders, and her tan had faded, but she still exuded warmth. Light. Confidence. And confidence was so damn sexy. In his mind, she was by far the most intriguing woman in Marietta, and he’d kept the information to himself, until now, but he was leaving and even though he wasn’t the right one for her, he wanted her to know she mattered.

That she was special. Maybe even his dream girl.

She’d bonded with McKenna not long after arriving in Marietta. They both had kids in the same preschool class and they began getting Addison and TJ together for play dates outside of preschool and then the moms just liked hanging out together. They were both single, working moms and they formed their own little community, watching out for each other’s kids, helping with childcare, errands, or shopping when one was in a pinch.

He’d admired how resourceful they were, and glad they had each other, but it meant he had to keep his distance. “What are you drinking?” he asked her.

“Nothing yet. What about you?”

“Whiskey.”

Her nose wrinkled. “Is it good?”

“I don’t think whiskey can be bad.”

She laughed. “Will you even remember this conversation tomorrow?”

“Absolutely. I’m buzzed, not drunk.” His gaze dropped from her eyes to her mouth, and the bow shaped upper lip. Such a soft, full kissable mouth. He wondered who kissed that mouth. Wondered if she ever dated. McKenna said Paige didn’t see anyone, that she wasn’t ‘there’ yet, because she was still grieving her husband, Lewis, a man Trey and Troy had gone to school with.

“And maybe I wouldn’t have told you I thought you were sexier than hell if I was completely sober, but I won’t regret telling you tomorrow. I’ll be glad. There’s no one in Marietta I like better.” He grimaced. “Now maybe I’ll regret that tomorrow.”

She smiled and shook her head. “I won’t tell anyone.”

It was hard to stay focused when she smiled like that. She looked pretty damn irresistible. He had to remind himself why he couldn’t kiss her. Why he’d kept his distance these past few years.

He wasn’t what she wanted. Wasn’t what she needed. He deliberately avoided single moms. Not just Paige, but all single moms. Kids were a complication he couldn’t do.

Dillon lifted his whiskey. “So what are you doing here, on a Friday night? You don’t strike me as a Grey’s girl.”

“What’s a Grey’s girl?”

He nodded to the laughing young women in the back hanging around the cowboys playing pool. “That.”

Paige glanced over her shoulder to study the girls with their short short skirts, tight low-cut tops, and calf-hugging boots. “They’re young, but cute,” she said.

He shrugged. “If you like that sort of thing.”

She looked at the girls again. “What’s wrong with them?”

“They’re hungry.”

“Hungry for....?”

“Attention. A husband.”

“Ah.” Her lips pursed, expression amused. “You’re not looking to get married.”

“Nope.”

“Nope ever....or nope, not right now?”

“Just...nope. Not on my agenda, nor anytime soon on the horizon.”

“What is on your agenda, then?”

“Getting out of Dodge.”

“Is that happening soon?”

“Tuesday.” He’d had his fill of the ranch, small town living, and fresh-faced wholesome Montana girls who ached for marriage and babies. He didn’t want to be too blunt in front of Paige because she was a mom, and from all appearances, a really good mom, but kids weren’t part of his plan.

He loved his nieces and nephews, but he’d inherited his father’s DNA, along with his father’s impatience and selfishness. He’d never be warm enough, or good enough, to be a father. He’d never be able to put his children first, not the way children needed to be put first. So years ago he decided he wouldn’t have kids, and he hadn’t wavered in that decision.

“Tuesday,” she repeated. “As in, four days from now?”

He nodded.

Her brow furrowed. “Where are you going?”

“Austin.”

“Why?”

“Work.”

“Is it ranch related?”

“No. Trey’s got the ranch pretty well in hand. I’m going back to my company and what I do best—bioengineering.”

The brown brows lifted. “I had no idea that was your background.”

“Why should you? I’ve spent the past three years ranching, shooting pool, and drinking.” The corner of his mouth curled, even as his gut tightened. No one knew how difficult the past three years had been. While most men his age were building their futures and fortunes, he’d been living on the ranch trying to stay sane.

“You’re going to be missed.”

“I doubt that.”

“Come on. Your brothers and their families adore you. You’re TJ’s favorite uncle. He talks about you nonstop.”

He felt a twinge of remorse, then swiftly suppressed it. He couldn’t afford to be sentimental, or lose sight of his goal. Life was hard. He had to be stronger, allowing no room. for indecision or weakness. “So what’s that?” he asked, as Reese approached and slid an envelope across the counter to Paige.

“Extra tickets for the Bachelor Auction. We sold out at the diner and I wanted to have a few more for tomorrow, just in case someone else wants one.” She slipped the envelope into her purse. “Which reminds me, why aren’t you participating in the auction? You could have brought in some serious money, and I know you’re friendly with Molly Dekker.”

“I’d agreed initially, but once things firmed up with Tutro, there was no way I could fulfill the bid requirements so I had to back out.”

“You don’t intend to come back?”

“Not often. At least, not in the beginning. There is going to be too much to do the first couple of months.”

“So you won’t be here tomorrow night for the auction?”

“I will. I’ve promised Reese I’ll pitch in behind the bar. I think he’s got me pouring drinks tomorrow night upstairs.”

“That’s good. That’ll make the girls happy. Quite a few of them bought tickets just to see you.”

“You’re making that up.”

“No. I heard them myself, talking at the diner.”

“Maybe you heard wrong.”

“I’m pretty sure I heard right. Dillon Sheenan. Six foot four, black hair, green eyes—”

“Not green. Brown.”

She leaned forward, stared intently into his eyes. “Not brown. But not green, either. More...gold.”

“Gold?”

“Amber.”

“Amber?”

She smiled and a dimple flashed. “Not a fan of amber, either? How about whiskey? You do like whiskey. Is that better?”

“As long as you don’t let my brothers hear you.” He couldn’t help smiling as his gaze skimmed her face, taking in that soft mouth, the pink flush in her cheeks, the bright blue eyes. She really was everything he shouldn’t want.

Nice girl.

Single mom.

Sister-in-law’s best friend.

But Paige was also the one woman who’d somehow managed to get under his skin. Good thing he was leaving town Tuesday. When she smiled at him like that, eyes crinkling at the corners, lips curving, he couldn’t focus on anything but her.

Making her smile. Hearing her laugh.

She was the kind of woman who deserved a really good husband, a husband who’d protect her, and spoil her, and make sure she was happy. Troy and Trey had gone to school with Lewis and they’d said he was a good person and he’d grown into an even better man. But then Lewis died in a climbing accident, leaving Paige to raise their two young kids on her own.

Dillon understood accidents happened. Brock’s first wife had died when their twins were just six months old, but that didn’t make tragedies any easier. He’d heard bits and pieces through the grapevine and he knew Paige struggled sometimes, trying to make ends meet. According to McKenna, Paige’s Victorian was a money pit, too, and the endless repairs wouldn’t be so bad if she had a husband who was handy with tools, but she didn’t. Nor did she have a clue.

He drained what was left of the whiskey and signaled to Reese he wanted another drink.

Reese pointed to Paige. Paige shook her head—she didn’t want anything to drink, and she had the tickets. “I should go,” she said, sounding reluctant. “Rescue the kids.”

“Where are they?”

“With your brother.”

He laughed. “Trey’s got them?”

She nodded. “McKenna offered to take them since I had to work tonight and then she ended up booking a Valentine’s boudoir session.” She paused, eyes gleaming. “You know what this is. Sexy girlfriend photos in lingerie.”

“Ah.”

Her eyes danced and her lips curved, dimple flashing. “Have any of your girlfriends done that for you?”

Her smile and the dimple were his undoing. She deserved someone who would give her the sun and the moon and all the stars between.

So easy to like her. So hard to resist her. She wasn’t a girl, but a woman, and that’s what appealed to him.

Thank God he had self-control because she was absolutely, one hundred percent off-limits.

Paige grabbed her purse and slid off the stool. “See you tomorrow night?”

He nodded and stood. “Where are you parked?”

“Right out front.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

“No. I’m literally right out the front door. Open door, there’s my car. It’s brightly lit. But I appreciate the offer. Very chivalrous.” She smiled at him then, a wide easy smile that scrunched her nose and put fine creases at her eyes. “Night.”

“Night. Drive safe.”

“Always.”

And then she was gone, buttoning up her coat and giving him a quick wave as she headed for the door.

Crazy, he thought, watching her walk out of Grey’s, how even on a dark frigid Montana night Paige glowed golden, all honey and sunlight.

He would miss her when he returned to Austin, but at the same time, it’d be good to go to a big city with lots of women...lots of possibilities. Maybe once in Austin he’d meet someone new and then he could finally let this silly crush on Paige go.

As the heavy wood door shut behind her, he turned around and sat back down on his stool and discovered a neat shot of tequila waiting for him.

He frowned at the shot glass and then looked over at Reese on the other side of the counter. “Who is this from?” he asked.

“Me.”

“Why?”

“It’s my sympathy and goodbye gift rolled into one.”

“Sympathy?”

“You’ve carried a torch for her for so damn long.”

Dillon cleared his throat. “And the goodbye part?”

“I heard you say you were leaving Tuesday.” Reese set the cocktails and pints of beer on the counter for the cocktail waitress and then wiping his hands on a towel, walked towards Dillon. “Is that this Tuesday?”

“Yeah.”

“And the ranch?”

“Trey’s got it well in hand.”

“Good enough.”

Reese poured himself a tequila and they tossed them back together.

P
aige picked up a sleepy Addison and Tyler from Trey and McKenna’s big new stacked stone and log house that was part of a new subdivision of equally big, handsome, custom homes on the east side of Highway 89. Each parcel in the gated community was three quarters of an acre, with the homes laid out on curving cul-de-sacs, creating a neighborly feel.

Five members of McKenna’s family had been murdered when she was thirteen on her family’s ranch in Paradise Valley and McKenna craved the safety of town, which is why she and Trey had bought the house in Copper Mountain Heights. The gated community definitely made her feel safer with their private round the clock security detail, but for Paige, it was a hassle trying to come and go, always having to check in with the guards at the huge gate.

While owning a new house would be less stressful, Paige loved her turn of the century Victorian on Bramble Lane.

Well, loved and hated the Victorian as the house needed constant repairs, but it
was
a piece of Montana history and also within walking distance to Crawford Park, the library, downtown businesses, along with the fairgrounds for the Copper Mountain rodeo each September.

In California she’d had to drive everywhere and one of the perks of living on Bramble was that she could walk to work and her kids could walk to school—as long as they went with some of the older kids since Tyler tended to get lost in his head and forget about his younger sister, and cars, and icy sidewalks...

Thank goodness seven-year-old Addison had a good head on her shoulders. She was far better at keeping track of Tyler, and keeping him out of danger, than the other way around.