by Lori Wilde
That got to her. Leigh spun around. “Aflutter? You’re out of your mind. And for the record, I didn’t miss you.”
Again, he ignored her response and continued on, “Well, darlin’, I’m glad to hear you’re no longer mad about that misunderstanding we had. You know, I was tempted to take you up on your offer of hot sex, but I didn’t like being used like that.”
Leigh looked like a pressure cooker about to explode.
“I completely understand, Jared,” he said softly in the female voice. “I should have realized it was unfair of me to ask you out for the sole purpose of making my brothers mad. I’ll have to think of a way to make it up to you. Maybe I could make you dinner one night. Or help you decorate your house. Or, I know, I could make that hot sex offer again, but this time because I want you, not because I want to shake up the good folks of Honey.”
Leigh jumped out of her chair, knocking it over in her haste. “In your dreams, hayseed.”
Then she walked away. Actually, she stomped away. And every person in the room turned to stare at him.
Yeah, he was back in Honey all right. And it looked like his feather-ruffling days weren’t completely behind him after all.
The toasts were over, so people were wandering around again. Leigh finally found her brothers Chase and Nathan standing by the bar. Their wives, Megan and Emma, were across the room talking to a group of ladies, so for the moment, Leigh had the boys to herself. Good, because the three of them needed to have a little family chat.
“Hey, kiddo, great wedding wasn’t it?” Chase asked.
She wasted no time. “Why is Jared here?”
Nathan shrugged. “Who else could Trent ask when Joe got sick? We had to find someone who was the right size for the tux. I asked Jared, and he said he didn’t mind helping out. He’s a nice guy.”
Nice? Nice?
“You’re kidding, right? You don’t like Jared. None of you have ever liked him,” she pointed out.
Chase patted her on the shoulder. “Calm down. That’s in the past. When he first moved back to town, he stopped by and talked to each of us. I don’t think we made it easy on him, but he showed a lot of gumption and toughed it out. The man wants to settle here in Honey and help the town. I think we all need to give him a second chance. Nathan, Trent and I have agreed we’d do what we could to help him.”
Openmouthed, Leigh stared at her oldest brother, unable to believe what he was saying. For the first time in memory, she was at a complete loss for words. Something was definitely wrong. These couldn’t be her brothers. They had to be alien clones. Her brothers wouldn’t act this way.
When she finally recovered from the shock of hearing Chase call Jared nice, she sputtered, “So just like that—” She snapped her fingers “—you now like Jared where for years and years you couldn’t stand him.”
Chase glanced at Nathan, then they both nodded.
“Pretty much,” Chase admitted. “But you have to realize, we took to disliking Jared when we all were in high school. We’re adults now. Might as well bury old hatchets.”
This was unbelievable. She looked at Nathan, the most logical one of the whole Barrett family.
“A few months ago, you went out of your way to warn me against Jared. You said he was all wrong for me.”
“He was. He was a rodeo rider, and we knew he’d pack up and leave town at the drop of a hat, which he did. But now he’s back and trying to start a business. Got to admire a man who helps his parents out by paying top dollar to buy their failing ranch so they can retire to Florida. And he’s set out to build a profitable business here, which will definitely be good for Honey.”
Nathan took a couple of glasses of champagne from the bartender, then said, “You should try to be nice to him, Leigh. Jared’s actually a good guy. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
Before she could answer, Emma and Megan walked up, and Leigh watched both of her brothers kiss their wives.
“Hi, Leigh,” Megan said, giving her a smile. “Wasn’t the ceremony wonderful? Erin and Trent seem so much in love.” She beamed at Chase. “Looks like all the Barrett men have found love.”
“You should give it a try,” Chase told Leigh. “It might help with your disposition.”
“Hardeharhar,” Leigh said. “My disposition is just fine, thank you very much. And I have no intention of falling in love, not when I finally have some breathing room now that you boys have your own lives to worry about.”
“Suit yourself,” Chase said, slipping one arm around Megan’s waist. “But you don’t know what you’re missing.”
Yeah, she did. She’d be missing out on having another person keeping tabs on her day and night. Her brothers had done enough spying to last her a lifetime. Freedom stretched out before her, and she wasn’t about to give it up.
Deciding she’d gotten nowhere with her brothers, she said goodbye and wandered the room, looking for someone to take her mind off Jared Kendrick. The dancing had started, which would definitely take her mind off the man. She loved to dance, and since practically everyone in town had come to the wedding, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a willing partner.
She didn’t have to look for long. Within minutes, she spotted Billy Joe Tate, a guy she’d dated a couple of times over the years. Billy didn’t get her heart racing the way Jar—er, some men did, but he was a nice guy.
She tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, Billy. Feel like dancing? They’re playing our song.”
At that particular moment, the band was playing a rather poor version of “Proud Mary.”
Billy turned and smiled at her. “Hey, Leigh. This is our song? I didn’t know we had a song. Well, except maybe the high school’s anthem. You know, ‘Go Mighty Panthers, pride and joy of our town. We’re always there for you, even when...um, something is something something.’” He scratched his head. “Guess I don’t remember all the words.”
Leigh snagged his hand. Yep, Billy Joe Tate was exactly what she needed to get her mind off what’s-his-name. When they reached the dance floor, she threw herself into the dance heart and soul, feeling free and alive and too happy for words. Gone were the pressures of the day. Gone were any worries. It was just the music, running through her body, feeding her soul.
When the band finished, they immediately started a slow song. Leigh reluctantly came to a halt and turned toward Billy. But his arms weren’t the ones that circled her waist, and it certainly wasn’t Billy’s body she brushed against on the crowded dance floor.
“Where’s Billy?” she asked Jared, none too happy to find herself dancing with him but deciding not to make another scene at her brother’s wedding.
“His cell phone rang while you were dancing. I think he tried to tell you, but you were kinda lost in your own world. A few minutes ago, he wandered off to talk on the phone.” His brown eyes twinkled with mischief. “I figured since you were out on the floor all by yourself, I’d come to your rescue.”
“My rescue? What exactly do you think you’re rescuing me from? Do you see any danger here?”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t.” Annoyed by his attitude, a devious idea popped into her head. She placed her hands on his chest and waited until they got bumped again by other couples. Then she softly undid a few buttons on his vest. He was in for a surprise when this dance ended. A big surprise.
“From now on, Kendrick, don’t do me any favors. I’m all grown up. I can take care of myself.”
“For starters, I figured this was the only way you’d ever dance with me. Plus, I didn’t want you to be embarrassed when you realized your dance partner had left,” he said, swaying them to the soft, seductive music. “I thought I could do something nice for you.”
Leigh didn’t know what to make of his answer. Frankly, it surprised her. Was he serious? Was he really trying to be nice?
She didn’t know what to think anymore.
But the one thing she was sure of was that he was dead wrong abou
t her. She wouldn’t have been embarrassed.
Of course, she couldn’t say the same thing for him. She bit back a smile, thinking about Jared redoing his vest in front of the crowd once the song ended.
“I don’t get embarrassed,” she assured him. “I’m not ashamed of the way I am. I know you think I only went out with you to upset my brothers, but that’s not true.”
At his doubtful look, she relented a tad. “Okay, getting my brothers riled up was a side benefit, but I went out with you because I’d always wanted to go out with you.”
“So you could have sex with me,” he said.
“Yeah, well, is that such a crime? You’ve always been wild. So what’s the big deal? I didn’t think guys got all huffy about stuff like this.”
“So I wasn’t the first guy you went out with solely for the purpose of having sex?”
She sighed. “Okay, yes, you were. But, Jared, it’s not like you care. I know what you’re like.”
“How is that possible, Leigh? Up until our first date, we hadn’t said ten words to each other in all the years we’ve lived in the same town. Did you consult a crystal ball with questions about me?”
Jeez, she hated this. He was making some really good points. She hadn’t considered it from his side. Maybe she shouldn’t have assumed just because he was majorly cute that all he was interested in was getting lucky.
“Fine. I apologize,” she said, but she didn’t really like doing it. “I shouldn’t have thought that just because you chase women all the time that you’d be interested in no-strings sex. How foolish of me.”
“Was that an apology or an accusation?”
She laughed. “Kendrick, just settle for it, okay? And we’ll agree to try to get along.”
“Not much of a truce, but I guess I can live with it. Who knows? Maybe we can be friends,” he said, his body warm against hers as they kept time with the music.
She’d give him this—he was a great dancer. And he smelled like heaven. So much so that it took a couple of seconds for his words to penetrate her lust-filled brain.
Friends? He wanted them to be friends?
“I’m not sure that’s possible,” she admitted.
“Sure it is. Just give it a try.” He twirled them a little, causing Leigh to hold him tighter. “I apologize for messing up your plans last summer.”
Plans. Right. That reminded her. Maybe she needed to rethink the whole undone vest thing now that they’d come to a hazy agreement. She might not be ready to be friends with this man, but maybe she shouldn’t leave him on the dance floor with his clothes undone.
Too bad that thinking of any sort was proving difficult at this particular moment. Her hormones were having a field day being held this close to Jared. Being in his arms felt amazingly good.
When they got bumped yet again, he pulled her even closer. Leaning down so she could hear him, he said, “I’m glad we had this chance to talk. I’m back now, and for lots of reasons, things didn’t work out between us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get along. I really am settling here for good. I’d like to know you’re on my side. I’d like to know you’re my friend.”
Leigh looked up into his devastatingly handsome face. There was the word again—friends. He wanted them to be friends. She was the type who generally got along with everyone, so surely she could find a way to get along with Jared. Everyone else in her family seemed to be getting along with him just fine these days.
So maybe a truce was the only logical thing to do. He skimmed the fingers of one hand slowly down her back to her waist, and she barely managed not to sigh. Friends. Was it possible to be friends with a man like Jared Kendrick? More importantly, was it possible to be friends with a man who’d repeatedly said “no” when you’d thrown yourself at him?
Um, she had to think about that one.
“I guess I can stop being mad at you,” she relented. “Or at least I can try to stop being mad at you. I can’t promise miracles.”
“Ah, Leigh, but I’d like more. I’d like us to be people who help each other out in times of need.”
Something in the way he said that made her frown. “When would we ever need to help each other?”
He leaned down until his lips were next to her left ear, then he whispered, “How about now? I’ll rezip your dress if you refasten my vest.”
2
She was going to end up blind, Leigh decided as she squinted against the brilliant sun flooding in through the window in the office of Gavin Monroe, principal of Honey High School. Why on earth did Gavin insist on having his desk situated so his back was to the window? She couldn’t see a blasted thing.
“Leigh, I asked you to stop by today for a couple of reasons. First, I think you’re doing a great job with your student teaching assignment. The kids love you, and your fellow teachers have nothing but wonderful things to say about you.”
Mentally Leigh did a little happy dance. Yippee. About time she got some good news. Ever since the wedding reception a little over a week ago, she’d been feeling out of sorts. Could have something to do with Jared besting her on the dance floor, but she doubted it. She was enough of a good sport to give him credit for that one.
No, the reason she’d felt mopey was that she’d been undeniably turned on during their dance—the one where he’d talked about being friends. It was happening all over again. She wanted Jared, but he didn’t want her.
Talk about pathetic. She needed to find some sort of anti-Jared potion before she saw him again. Something that would make it so she could stand next to him without wanting to strip him naked and throw him on the floor.
Maybe the local drugstore had something. Hmm, probably not. Probably the only thing that would help was to avoid him completely.
That shouldn’t be too hard. He lived out of town. She worked long hours. There was no reason for them to see each other again.
And now, judging from all the compliments Gavin was tossing her way, she was about to have a major pick-me-up. She could practically guess what Gavin’s next words were going to be—he was going to ask her to join the staff fulltime starting next year. After all those years of college, she’d finally get to be a teacher at Honey High School.
“Thank you so much for the compliments, Principal Monroe,” she said in her best teacher voice. Since Gavin was only thirty-five, the same age as her oldest brother, Chase, and they’d grown up together, it felt weird being so formal with him. She still clearly remembered him helping out at his family’s drugstore and blushing like mad every time a good-looking girl walked in.
But hey, if Gavin wanted everyone to call him Principal Monroe, then that’s what she’d call him.
Heck, she was willing to call him Santa Claus, if that was what he wanted. Anything to get the job.
Gavin smiled, obviously enjoying delivering the good news. “Since you’ve done such a good job, and you really fit in here at Honey High, I’d like...” His words trailed off and his attention focused on something behind her.
Leigh leaned forward. Yes? Yes? Hello. She looked over her shoulder. What was he staring at? The picture of his wife? The clock? What?
Turning back to face him, she tried to verbally nudge him forward. “Yes, Principal Monroe?”
He blinked. “Sorry. I didn’t realize it was so late.”
This was getting annoying. Leigh slapped a smile on her face and said, “I’m sure our meeting is almost over. You were saying, you’d like...?”
Gavin nodded and thankfully directed his attention back to her. “Leigh, I’d like to offer you a job as—”
“Yes,” she blurted.
He smiled. “So you knew what I was going to ask? I guess the school grapevine is working overtime. Well, I’m glad you know, and I’m glad you said yes.”
“Frankly, I’m thrilled. This is something I’ve wanted for a long time.” Boy was it ever. A fulltime teaching job at Honey High. Life didn’t get much sweeter than this.
Before she could say anything else, the do
or to Gavin’s office opened behind her and Leigh heard someone walk in.
“Sorry I’m late.”
The deep male voice drifted over Leigh’s shoulders. Oh, no. No, no, no. What was Jared doing here? He had no business being here. How was she supposed to avoid him if he kept appearing places he shouldn’t be?
She tipped her head and looked at him. He gave her a quick wink, then walked around and sat in the chair next to her. Darn his hide; he looked gorgeous as usual. He had on jeans and a black T-shirt and looked less like a rodeo rider than a midnight fantasy.
Just great. This could not be happening. Not again. Stunned, she stared at him, but he looked at Gavin instead. Before she could say anything, Jared held one hand up and shielded his eyes.
“Whoa, that sun sure is bright. I think I may lose my eyesight,” Jared said. “Gav, mind lowering the blinds so Leigh and I can see?”
Gav? He called the principal Gav?
Apparently so, since Gavin immediately apologized and quickly closed the blinds. “Sorry about that, Jared.”
“No problem.” Jared grinned at Leigh. “So, what do you think? Did Gav explain the plan? Are you on board with everything?”
What did she think? Was she on board? If they were swapping questions, she had a good one—what was he doing here?
“So what do you think?” Jared prompted again.
She stared at him. “About what?”
“The job.” Jared looked at Gavin and raised one brow. As much as she hated to notice, Leigh didn’t miss how the sunlight still seeping in around the blind slats made his dark brown hair shine. Jared had great hair. Soft and just long enough to give him a wild look.
Blinking, she brought her attention back to the conversation. She had to stop thinking about him that way. “Yes, I accepted the job,” she said.
“Really?” Jared grinned at her. “Good. It should be fun.”
Gavin leaned back in his chair. “Leigh’s a great asset to the school. She already knew about the job when she got here, and she didn’t hesitate a bit in accepting.”