“Pulling you into this mess.”
He waved off her concern. “Don’t worry about it. Doesn’t take a lot of arm-twisting to get me to come eat some pizza.”
She sat back against her side of the booth. “Figured you were more of a classic meat-and-potatoes kind of guy.”
“Wouldn’t argue with that either, but you get used to eating what’s fast on the road. Burgers, fries, pizza.”
“Heart attack waiting to happen.”
“I think my mom agrees with you. I’ve noticed a lot of vegetables on my plate since I moved home.”
“So you’re King of the Green Bean now?”
“Among other things. Let’s just say this will be a treat.”
Devon lowered her gaze just as their teenage waitress slid menus in front of them.
“What kind of pizza do you like?” he asked Devon.
“Pretty much anything. I’d say no to anchovies, but no need since I’m almost certain an anchovy has never crossed the city limits of Blue Falls.”
“I’d say that’s a safe bet.”
When she insisted that she truly didn’t care what kind of pizza they got, he went for a classic pepperoni.
When the waitress left, he leaned his forearms on the table. “So what did your mom do that prompted the quick call?”
“Showed up at my shop to chastise me for being rude to her and Steven.”
“Pot, meet kettle.”
“Exactly,” she said as if relieved she’d finally found someone who understood where she was coming from.
“Has she always been on your case like this?”
Devon laced her fingers together atop the table, and for a moment he thought she might not answer.
“Unfortunately, yes. Not always about whom I should date, but there was always something.”
He realized this was a bit of a heavy conversation for a first date, even if it was all an act. Still, it didn’t seem forced at all.
“Why did you stay here?”
“In Blue Falls?”
He nodded.
“I’ve asked myself that I don’t know how many times, but the short answer is that I love it here, always have, and I hated the idea of leaving my friends.”
He thought she must really like the town and her friends to put up with her mother trying to run her life, but he didn’t say it.
“I always thought you’d go off to a big city somewhere and do something like cure cancer or become a bestselling writer.”
She looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.
“What would make you think I’d do either of those things?”
“You were so good at school, in every subject. Blowing the curves for everyone.”
When Devon lowered her gaze to the tabletop, he realized how that must have sounded.
“Which wasn’t your fault. The rest of us just should have studied more.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind that I was a bookworm. I still am. Being a nerd is cool now, don’t you know?”
She said the words, but he wasn’t sure there wasn’t some hurt there anyway.
“Did your mom make you study a lot?”
“She expected good grades, but...let’s just say that kids who aren’t popular often retreat into books. It’s our happy place.”
It was a strange thought, her being unpopular while also being probably the wealthiest kid at their school. He guessed it shouldn’t be so surprising. Some of the happiest people he’d ever met probably hadn’t had ten bucks in their pocket. Still, the faded memories of her from high school—shy, withdrawn, bookish—made him wonder if she’d been unhappy. If books were her happy place, did that mean the real world was the opposite?
“I’m sorry if I was ever a jerk to you in school.”
She looked up at him and shook her head. “You weren’t. Can’t say the same for your girlfriend, though.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Devon’s eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise, as if she hadn’t intended to voice her thoughts out loud.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “That was rude.”
“Not at all. In fact, I agree with you. I was just too stupid to realize it until about a year into our marriage. I stuck it out another year, hoping in vain I hadn’t been so wrong about her.”
“What happened?”
“You mean besides the fact that once we left high school and she was no longer the center of attention, she couldn’t handle it and blamed me?”
“Oh, ouch.”
He shrugged. “We were young and dumb.”
“Where is she now?”
“Last I heard, she was in California. Every time I see her mom in town, I do my best to steer clear.”
“She’s mad at you?”
“I’d rather not find out.”
“Sounds like we both have locals we need to put GPS trackers on.”
Cole laughed. “Not a bad idea. Maybe I’ll put one on my mom while we’re at it.”
“But your mom is so sweet.”
“And just as determined to find me a wife. Been down that road twice, not going to try for a third.”
Devon nodded but didn’t say anything. What was there to say? It was just nice to talk to a woman who actually understood where he was coming from. This whole fake-dating thing might be just what he needed. Who better to convince his mom that he was done with matrimony than a woman she liked and respected? One she obviously hoped he might make wife number three.
* * *
THERE WAS NO doubt in Cole’s voice whatsoever when he said he was done with marriage. Despite the fact that this date wasn’t real and Devon knew there was no future with someone like Cole, she couldn’t help the feeling of sadness that filled her at his proclamation. Cole Davis seemed like a good guy, a hard worker, someone who took a hit to his life plan and forged a different path, not to mention he was as sexy as the summer solstice was long. The fact that he’d sworn off a chance at happily ever after at such a young age was a damn shame.
“So, what happened with your second wife?”
“It didn’t work out.”
The tightening of Cole’s features and the way he looked away from her and across the restaurant told her this was one topic he wasn’t interested in pursuing. Which of course made her intensely curious. But if he didn’t want to talk about it, she’d respect that. There were certainly things in her life that she’d rather leave in the past, as well.
Their pizza arrived, momentarily interrupting their conversation. It distracted Cole long enough for her to hide any thoughts she might have had regarding him, her and a walk down the aisle. That was crazy anyway. Helping each other out was one thing. Letting herself imagine it turning into something deep and meaningful was quite another.
“What about you?” Cole asked as he pulled a large slice of pizza onto his plate. “You want to get married and have kids someday?”
“I’m not opposed to it, but Mr. Right hasn’t come along yet.” She would not wonder if Cole could turn into that Mr. Right. Hard to achieve a happily-ever-after when one of the parties didn’t believe those existed. Not that he’d want to be with her even if he hadn’t sworn off marriage.
“You believe in that kind of thing, that there’s a Mr. Right out there for you?”
She shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. At the moment, I’m more interested in this pizza and making sure my mom thinks our little farce is the beginning of a long and beautiful romance.”
Devon made sure to smile and add some dramatic effect to her words so Cole wouldn’t guess that at least part of her wouldn’t mind seeing where a real relationship might take them.
The conversation veered away from their respective views on holy matrimony and into a discussion about what he was working on
.
“It’s amazing,” she said, thinking of the look she’d gotten at the horse statue in progress. “My brain just isn’t wired that way, to be able to see something beautiful and artistic made out of something that is neither. Ella Garcia has the same ability you do.”
“Everybody’s good at something different. Most people can’t do what you do.”
“But they could if they tried. If you gave me ten pieces of scrap metal, you know what I’d do with them?”
“Take them to the dump?”
“Recycling, and probably cut myself and get tetanus in the process.”
By the time they’d finished eating all the pizza they wanted and she’d convinced him to take the leftovers home with him, Devon had relaxed from her initial nervousness. Cole was oddly easy to talk to. She knew plenty of guys, and would consider several friends, but none would fall into the category of close friends, not like her and Mandy. She wondered if maybe their charade would lead to a true friendship between her and Cole. Despite being attracted to him, she found she liked the idea.
She instinctively started to pull her wallet from her purse.
“Put that back,” Cole said. “We’re supposed to be on a date, remember?”
“Plenty of people go Dutch on dates.”
“You think that will convince your mom we’re a couple?”
“Oh fine, go and make a good point.”
The smile that spread across Cole’s face made her insides do a little zingy thing that wasn’t wise if she wanted to keep on the path to friendship and nothing more.
Cole tossed enough money on the table for the bill and tip. “Come on, little lady. Let’s blow this joint.”
She snorted at his affected drawl.
“Nice,” he said, teasing her about her reaction.
“What do you expect when you sound like a really bad character from an old movie?”
“Now, that’s no way to talk if you want a second date.”
Before she could respond, Cole draped his arm around her shoulders and pointed them toward the exit. It was all Devon could do not to melt from the blast of desire that hit her. Not good, not good at all.
Cole leaned close to her ear. “I’m doing all the work here.”
With her heart pounding, she wrapped her arm around his waist. Oh heavens, he felt as good as he looked and smelled. The man was solid muscle. At least it felt that way. A fast-motion parade of what she’d like to do with him raced through her head.
“You okay?” he asked.
Get it together, Devon, before he figures out you’re having a difficult time acting as if his touch isn’t affecting you.
“Yeah. Just ate too much.”
“You ate two pieces of pizza.”
“They’re big pieces.” Which was true, but less of a reason for why she limited herself than her determination not to return to the overweight teen she’d hidden under her voluminous clothes.
On their way out, they met Elissa and Pete Kayne. Elissa wasn’t able to hide her surprise at seeing them together, and Devon fought the urge to step away from Cole and admit her subterfuge. But then the thought of her mother crowing that she’d been right and forcing an introduction to yet another man in whom Devon had no interest had her gripping Cole a little tighter.
“Well, this is new,” Elissa said. “My aunt is losing her touch as unofficial town matchmaker if people are managing to get together all on their own.”
The look Elissa gave Devon promised more questions whenever the guys weren’t around.
Devon really hadn’t thought about how their lie would grow out in all directions like a spiderweb. She just hoped she didn’t get stuck in it with no way to pull herself back to safety.
After a bit of chitchat, Pete held the door open for Elissa. Cole, his arm still draped casually around Devon’s shoulders, escorted her to her car. She had the craziest thought that he might kiss her goodbye, but he most likely wasn’t willing to go that far with their charade.
When they reached her car, Cole removed his arm from her shoulders. She missed the warm weight, the bit of intimacy she liked more than she should. As she dug for her keys in the bottom of her purse, Cole crossed his arms and leaned back against her car.
“Think we got enough people talking that your mom will buy it?”
“It’s Blue Falls. Chances are pretty good. I’m surprised my phone isn’t ringing already.”
“At least you don’t have to face your mom’s eager questions when you get home.”
“Your mom wants us to get together for real?”
“I think she’d be overjoyed. That’s why you need to be the one to reaffirm with her that we’re just friends. Hopefully she’ll listen to you.”
Though Devon didn’t think it would take much for her to get on board with Barbara’s thoughts, it was nice to hear Cole refer to them as friends. Totally separate from her attraction, she liked being around him and wouldn’t mind being able to hang out even after their trickery was over.
Or could they just keep on pretending forever?
She shook her head at that thought, knowing her friends and neighbors and parents too well. If she and Cole went too long without taking things to the next level, without a ring appearing on her finger, people would wonder and ask questions, ones she wouldn’t be able to answer without coming clean or telling more lies.
“Don’t worry. I’ll hold up my end of the bargain.”
“Okay, good night, then.” He pushed away from the car.
“Good night.”
She wanted to watch him walk toward his truck, drink in the sight without him noticing, but that wasn’t conducive to reminding herself that they weren’t a real couple. She slipped into her car and headed toward home. For the first time in she-couldn’t-remember-how-long, she wasn’t looking forward to the quiet that would greet her when she got there.
Chapter Five
When Devon arrived at work the next morning, she dreaded walking in the door. She’d venture a guess that there was a fifty-fifty shot her mother would be waiting for her again. But it wasn’t her mom who met her when she stepped inside A Good Yarn. It was Cole’s.
“Good morning, Barbara,” she said, glancing at Mandy, who was refilling some of the soap bins. “What can we do for you?”
“I had to come to town for some groceries and thought I’d stop in to see how your date went last night.”
Devon rounded the counter and stowed her purse away. “You didn’t ask Cole?”
“I did. Guys aren’t much for details.”
“Not much to say. We ate pizza, talked about high school some. We went home.”
Barbara sighed, causing Devon to remember her promise to Cole.
“You know we’re just pretending, right?”
“So you don’t like Cole?”
“I like him fine. He’s a nice guy.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Devon momentarily tripped over her own tongue as she tried to force out another lie. Those things had a way of multiplying.
“We’re just friends.”
The gleam in Barbara’s eyes told Devon the older woman had noticed how Devon had faltered in her answer. Allowing his mom to hope wasn’t what Devon had promised to deliver for him.
“Barbara, I know Cole has told you this, but he’s not interested in a serious relationship. And I can’t blame him. He’s been burned twice. Can’t say I’d be thinking any differently in his shoes.”
“People say those types of things until they find the right person.”
“Well, if that happens, then you both can be pleasantly surprised.”
“Fine, I’ll stop pushing.”
“Thank you.”
“Moving on to a different topic, I’d lik
e to ask you a favor.”
“Okay,” Devon said, admittedly with some hesitance.
“I’d like a different set of eyes to help me figure out how to set up my quilts for the Arts and Crafts Trail. Cole might have a lot of talents, but staging and decorating are not among them.”
Devon wasn’t convinced this wasn’t just another tactic to get her and Cole together, but how could she say no? She liked Barbara, and they both wanted the trail to be a success for everyone involved.
“Sure. How about tomorrow afternoon?”
“Perfect. I’ll bake cookies so we can have some snacks while we ponder.”
Devon barely had time to take a breath after Barbara left before Mandy was standing across from her, staring at her expectantly.
“What?”
“Okay, really, how did the nondate date go? I want more details than you gave her.”
“Honestly, we ate some pizza, talked and then we left.”
“Now, see, I ran into Elissa this morning, and she tells a different story.”
Devon sank onto her stool, wondering just how big this snowball was going to get as it raced down the mountain. And if it was going to run right over her and bury her alive.
“He put his arm around my shoulders as we left, just a little extra visual for the gossips to take back to Mom.”
“Uh-huh,” Mandy said, not sounding convinced that Devon was telling the whole story. Well, she wasn’t, was she? “And did you touch him back?”
“What are we, fourteen?”
“This is way more fun than anything we talked about at fourteen. Though, come to think of it, there might have been some hormonal pining away for Cole Davis back then, as well.”
“I’m not pining away for Cole.”
“Did you pawn your libido or something?”
“Mandy Richardson, why are you pushing this?”
The teasing fell away as Mandy braced her hands against the counter. “Because I heard something in your voice when you were defending Cole to your mom.”
“I don’t like how she looks down on good, hardworking people. You know that.”
“I get that, and it’s admirable. But it was more than that. You forget how long we’ve been friends, how well I know you. And I can tell there’s more going on than just a bit of drama to fool your mom.”
COWBOY TAKES A WIFE, THE Page 5