from precipitation to low temperatures being broken this year, I wouldn’t doubt anything.” He took a drink of water. “You might want to see if you can reserve plows for late that night, as well, in case we get snow during the party. I don’t need to find beds for two hundred guests my opening night.”
“Nor would we want anything to force the committee to back out of the commitment to Whispering Pines at this late date,” Tara said in a sultry voice. Tara explained how the celebration had evolved to honor Whispering Pine’s historical status in the community. Lisa’s quick retort included facts about the ranch even he’d forgotten.
Not to be outdone, Tara tried to counter with another fact, and got it all wrong.
Not missing the subtle threats Tara had tossed into the conversation, Adam interrupted them. “And the caterers are bringing the food out...”
“At four,” Tara finished for him, ignoring the young woman refilling their drinks. “I’ve ordered my gown from the boutique on Columbine, but I’ll need your size to order a tux. Would you like me to bring it out for you that morning?”
“I’m sure you’ll have enough to do. I’ll make the arrangements,” he said. He felt as if the temperature in the room had gone up twenty degrees. He could almost hear the innuendo Tara had given Lisa on the phone. If he didn’t know better, her remarks could leave people believing he was practically a married man. He shuddered to think it.
He heard Lisa whisper to the waitress and Adam nodded his thanks to the young lady as she set his plate in front of him, grateful for her prompt service. Tara went through the party hors d’oeuvres menu for at least the fifteenth time. “Did something change since last time we discussed the menu?”
Tara looked back at her notes while Adam took another bite of lasagna. “No, why?”
“I thought I must have missed a change. It sounds like you have everything under control, Tara. I’m sure the event will be a huge success.”
Lisa ate her ravioli marinara without meeting his gaze. What in the world must she be thinking?
Tara took a bite of shrimp and linguini. “Lisa,” she said with a clump of food in her cheek, “are you planning to stay for the masquerade ball?”
Surprised, Lisa forced her bite down before attempting an answer. “I haven’t quite decided yet, but you’re making it quite inviting. It sounds like a perfect conclusion...”
Adam nudged her knee with his.
Taking a sip of water, she paused the just long enough to nudge him back. “To my visit,” Lisa continued. “I wouldn’t miss being here to support such dear friends as the MacIntyres.”
Adam couldn’t get out of here fast enough. If he didn’t, who knew what the two women would come up with next? He asked for their bills, and excused himself and Lisa as soon as she indicated she was ready.
Obviously caught off guard by his quick departure, Tara hadn’t finished eating. “Adam, will next week, same time, work to finalize plans?”
Shaking his head, Adam declined. “I have a lot of last-minute details at the ranch to oversee from here on out. Call if there are changes.”
Tara looked at him, then Lisa, with a look of revenge. He moved his hand to
Lisa’s waist to escort the drifter away from Tara’s lethal glare.
He didn’t relax until the restaurant doors closed behind them.
It took Lisa all of two seconds to react. “You...” she began, spinning around to scold him.
He lowered his face close to hers. “Deserve every rotten thing you could say about me, but after we’re out of her view, please. And try not to look as if everything I said was a fabrication. I do still have to work with the woman for two more weeks.”
Lisa’s smile was one of triumph, pure and simple. She could easily have fed him to the wolves, and right now he couldn’t wait to find out why she hadn’t.
He unlocked her door and helped her inside. She started to protest again, but he raised his
“Nor would we want anything to force the committee to back out of the commitment to Whispering Pines at this late date,” Tara said in a sultry voice. Tara explained how the celebration had evolved to honor Whispering Pine’s historical status in the community. Lisa’s quick retort included facts about the ranch even he’d forgotten.
Not to be outdone, Tara tried to counter with another fact, and got it all wrong.
Not missing the subtle threats Tara had tossed into the conversation, Adam interrupted them. “And the caterers are bringing the food out...”
“At four,” Tara finished for him, ignoring the young woman refilling their drinks. “I’ve ordered my gown from the boutique on Columbine, but I’ll need your size to order a tux. Would you like me to bring it out for you that morning?”
“I’m sure you’ll have enough to do. I’ll make the arrangements,” he said. He felt as if the temperature in the room had gone up twenty degrees. He could almost hear the innuendo Tara had given Lisa on the phone. If he didn’t know better, her remarks could leave people believing he was practically a married man. He shuddered to think it.
He heard Lisa whisper to the waitress and Adam nodded his thanks to the young lady as she set his plate in front of him, grateful for her prompt service. Tara went through the party hors d’oeuvres menu for at least the fifteenth time. “Did something change since last time we discussed the menu?”
Tara looked back at her notes while Adam took another bite of lasagna. “No, why?”
“I thought I must have missed a change. It sounds like you have everything under control, Tara. I’m sure the event will be a huge success.”
Lisa ate her ravioli marinara without meeting his gaze. What in the world must she be thinking?
Tara took a bite of shrimp and linguini. “Lisa,” she said with a clump of food in her cheek, “are you planning to stay for the masquerade ball?”
Surprised, Lisa forced her bite down before attempting an answer. “I haven’t quite decided yet, but you’re making it quite inviting. It sounds like a perfect conclusion...”
Adam nudged her knee with his.
Taking a sip of water, she paused the just long enough to nudge him back. “To my visit,” Lisa continued. “I wouldn’t miss being here to support such dear friends as the MacIntyres.”
Adam couldn’t get out of here fast enough. If he didn’t, who knew what the two women would come up with next? He asked for their bills, and excused himself and Lisa as soon as she indicated she was ready.
Obviously caught off guard by his quick departure, Tara hadn’t finished eating. “Adam, will next week, same time, work to finalize plans?”
Shaking his head, Adam declined. “I have a lot of last-minute details at the ranch to oversee from here on out. Call if there are changes.”
Tara looked at him, then Lisa, with a look of revenge. He moved his hand to
Lisa’s waist to escort the drifter away from Tara’s lethal glare.
He didn’t relax until the restaurant doors closed behind them.
It took Lisa all of two seconds to react. “You...” she began, spinning around to scold him.
He lowered his face close to hers. “Deserve every rotten thing you could say about me, but after we’re out of her view, please. And try not to look as if everything I said was a fabrication. I do still have to work with the woman for two more weeks.”
Lisa’s smile was one of triumph, pure and simple. She could easily have fed him to the wolves, and right now he couldn’t wait to find out why she hadn’t.
He unlocked her door and helped her inside. She started to protest again, but he raised his
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