Have Gown, Need Groom by Rita Herron Page A

up for their missing mother.
    Mimi pointed to her little red sports car. “Now get in or I’m going to phone Dad—”
    “All right, I’m coming.” Hannah climbed in the car, forcing thoughts of her own life on hold as she contemplated Mimi’s cropped top and the expanse of smooth stomach the tiny garment revealed. “So, how are you and Joey getting along?”
    Mimi sprinted to the driver’s seat, flashing her long legs as she slipped onto the cushy leather. “Okay, but he’s been acting a little strange lately. Working day and night.”
    Hannah buckled her seat belt, bracing herself as Mimi streaked from the driveway, peeling rubber. “It is a busy time of year. Maybe he’s saving to buy you a nice present for Christmas.”
    Mimi brightened at the possibility and revved up the engine. “Maybe I’ll have to show him this belly-dancing costume I want. I need it to rehearse for a part I’m auditioning for. Did you know they’re going to be filming a new soap in Atlanta?”
    Hannah rolled her eyes. “No, I didn’t know.”
    “Yeah, it’s called Scandalous. Anyway, I have a present for Joey tonight. I’m going to surprise him with some whipped cream and strawberries.”
    “They do say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
    Mimi laughed. “You’re so old-fashioned, sis. There are other ways to a man’s heart. Just use your imagination.”
    Hannah bit down on her lip and stifled a comeback. She did have an imagination. In fact, her fantasies had caused major problems lately—but unfortunately all her dreams had to do with the sexy man who worked for her dad.
    Realizing she’d allowed her mind to wander again, she closed her eyes, trying to remember some of the relaxation techniques from the book. Problem was, so far none of them had worked. She thought of the advice her college speech teacher had given her— before speaking in front of a group or before an interview, calm your nerves by picturing whoever you’re talking to in their underwear.
    Only, Jake in his underwear was the last image she needed in her mind—and it did nothing to calm her nerves.

    J AKE SPOTTED two of Wiley’s daughters arriving in Mimi’s little red sports car and gulped. While Mimi definitely exuded sex appeal with that mass of curly burnt-copper hair and mile-long legs, something about her quiet, subdued sister crawled inside him and twisted every male nerve ending in his body. A deeper kind of innate beauty that wasn’t boisterous or showy radiated from Hannah’s delicate frame. He could almost see that honey-colored hair fanned out across his pillow, could almost feel the soft pressure of her rose-tipped lips as she allowed him to sip at her mouth….
    “Young man, are you listening to me?” Leopard-skin-clad and statuesque, Berta Simpson held out a pudgy hand and tried to stuff a fifty-dollar bill in his hand. “You know I’ve been eyeing this little baby all week. I have to have her today. Now, let’s make a deal.”
    Jake tried to ignore Hannah as she emerged from the sports car, and forced himself to focus on his customer. Thankfully he didn’t have to make a living selling cars or he’d be homeless. He definitely didn’t have the charisma Wiley possessed.
    “I’m sorry, Mrs. Simpson, but I can’t accept a bribe—tip for helping you. I’ve given you Wiley’s bottom price.” Annoyance etched itself on her chubby face. He didn’t want to cheat the lady, but a fifty-dollar tip wouldn’t cut the mustard with his boss if Wiley discovered Jake had shaved another ten thousand off the price. Some people wanted everything for nothing.
    He simply wanted to solve this case and get the hell out of Sugar Hill. Too much hominess, small-town life, family stuff to suit his tastes. He needed to be back in the city where he could lose himself in the anonymity of the crowd.
    Buster, one of Wiley’s other salesmen, pulled the gate shut. Although normally they remained opened until nine, Wiley had