by Ava Miles
The more he learned, the more he liked.
It pissed him off he’d have to break her heart.
Chapter 6
Meredith dragged her feet as Jill pulled her along Main Street. Her sister was taking her on her first dating expedition, rather like a fishing expedition, but not for anything cold-blooded.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
Snapping her fingers in front of Meredith’s face, Jill said, “Sure you are, Mermaid. We’re taking a male shopping tour for potential Nora Roberts-type heroes. I did some research based on the books in my collection, and I came up with some perfect places for us to look for your dream man.”
Meredith smoothed her hands down the navy top and tan skirt they’d picked out for her to wear. “That’s pretty logical.”
Jill waved a hand. “It’s simple. You’re back in town. We’re reintroducing you. Hell, it’s been twelve years since you’ve lived here. A lot has changed.”
As Meredith surveyed Main Street, she could only agree. Dare had more high-end stores with cutesy names than she remembered. Within one block, she spied three new businesses: Posh Ice Day Spa, which had a glowing chartreuse door; Rugged Trail Sporting Goods; and With Sprouts, a trendy-looking vegetarian restaurant. Containers filled with orange, purple, and yellow chrysanthemums lined the sidewalks, and new parking meters took money from sparkling 4x4s and hybrids.
“Town’s doing well.” She nodded to a college student who smiled as he walked by.
“Yes, lots of new blood beyond the university. Baby boomer retirees have been coming here and opening up small businesses. Dare caters to a healthy ski crowd now that Aspen has become so crazy expensive. It’s insane. You can’t have an affordable meal there anymore. Ticks me off. But it’s been great for the coffee shop.”
Meredith patted her sister on the back as they walked past the old-school Barber Shop where their father always got his hair trimmed. She was delighted to see it hadn’t been run out of town. “I’m so proud of you, Jill.”
“Say no more. I’ll mist up.”
“So, where to?”
Jill flung up the end of her neon green scarf, letting the wind take it. It streamed behind her, fluttering along in time with her long red hair. “Guess.”
Meredith traced the bottom of her bustier for courage. She could do this. “Where?”
Jill pointed across the street. “Smith’s Hardware. Old man Smith’s turned it over to Wayne. He might just be your Bradley Vane.”
Meredith slowed her pace. “But he was a big weenie in school.”
Jill dragged her toward the store. “Wasn’t there some story about an ugly duckling?”
“She was a woman.”
The bell pealed as her sister opened the door. Chemicals and wood competed to make her eyes tear up.
“How about the frog prince? He was a man.”
The sound of shuffling boots cut their conversation short. “I’d recognize that red hair anywhere. Meredith, I’d heard you were back. Still hale and hearty, I see.”
Wayne’s old joke fell flat. How many times had she heard that one growing up?
“Hale and hearty indeed.” She grimaced. “Good to see you, Wayne.”
He was mostly bald, save for a few dark squiggles he was using as a comb-over. He was two inches shorter than Meredith and probably weighed ten pounds less. She’d crush him in his sleep if she rolled over in bed. The terrifying image made her eye twitch. She elbowed Jill in the stomach as she stepped forward to shake the guy’s hand. He hadn’t changed a bit. He was still a weenie.
Jillie was going to die.
She pasted a polite smile on her face as she listened to Wayne’s story about why he’d taken over the store. His dad’s hemorrhoids had gotten too painful. Yuck!
Bradley Vane, her ass.
Fifteen minutes later, she bought a hammer and followed her sister out of the store.
“Where are the nails?” Jill sputtered between giggles. She leaned against the wall and belly laughed.
“I don’t need nails. I’m planning on using it on your head!” she said, pulling it from the bag.
“Oh, you should see your face!”
“I could kill you,” Meredith muttered without heat. Then she started laughing too, her sister’s glee contagious.
“You all right, Jill? That woman isn’t threatening you with that hammer, is she?”
Meredith dropped her weapon hand and spun. A hunky officer leaned across the passenger seat of his Eagle County Sheriff’s SUV, the window wide open. He had the whole Nora hero look nailed down, that was for sure. She thought of Nate Burke from Northern Lights.
“No, Larry.” Jill dug her elbow into Meredith’s ribs. “She’s my sister.”
“Larry Barlow. Deputy Sheriff.” He tipped his finger to his forehead in some type of a guy greeting. “I heard you were back in town. Welcome.”
The hammer felt conspicuous, so she stuffed it back in the bag, paper ruffling. “I’m Meredith.”
“Don’t take that hammer to your sister this early,” he said, his face breaking into a broad grin. “You haven’t been here long enough for it to be self defense, but if you need some advice on how to get away with clocking her, let me know.”
His sense of humor had an edge, but he wasn’t hard on the eyes. “That’d be great, Larry,” she replied. At least Jill had picked one winner.
“See you around, Meredith, Jill.” He sped off into the slow stream of cars.
Jill made a play for the hammer. “Gimme the weapon.”
Yanking it back, Meredith said, “No.” She won the tussle and shoved it into her oversized purse. “This is a reminder of what happens to you if you pull that kind of shit again.”
Jill bit her lip. “Okay, but I had to do it. First, I needed a good laugh. Second, it was part of my diabolical strategy as your pimp.”
She knocked her sister in the arm with her fist. “Stop saying that.”
Jill spun around, trailing the scarf like a flamenco dancer. “I figured after seeing Wayne, everyone would look better.”
Meredith sidled around a dog tied to a lamppost. “You’re right. No one could be worse than Wayne. I won’t date men who weigh less than me, Jill. I have my principles.”
Jill knelt down to pet the brown and white bulldog, who rolled onto his stomach, begging for more. “I could probably find a few more weenies to torment you, but with that hammer, I’ll think twice. So what did you think of the deputy?”
“Kinda cute,” Meredith said with a shrug.
“He’s more than cute. You’re only torturing me over Wayne. In that uniform, he could cuff me and do a full body search.”
Meredith’s mouth dropped as a man stepped outside and reached for the dog leash wrapped around the lamppost.
“Well, that’s nice to know, Jill. Do you prefer the police get-up or dress whites?”
“In your dreams, McConnell,” Jill ground out, causing the dog to growl.
“Hi Brian,” Meredith said, the wind cooling her hot cheeks. She’d have to remember she couldn’t have spicy conversations on the street here like she did in New York. There was no anonymity.
“Hey, Mermaid.” He kissed her cheek. “Heard you were home. Good to see you.” He tugged the dog’s leash when it lurched at an approaching poodle. “No, Mutt.”
“You named your dog, Mutt?” Jill asked. “I’m surprised you can handle the responsibility of having a dog.”
Meredith fiddled with her coat. Where had that come from? Jill and Brian had been best friends growing up. He’d left town eight years ago, but Meredith had figured they must have stayed in touch. Now that she thought about it, though, Jill hadn’t said much when she’d asked about him, just saying he was off in New York. Clearly, there’d been some sort of a falling out.
He shrugged a shoulder that was a hell of a lot more muscular than when Meredith had seen him last. Brian McConnell looked good, from his worn jeans to his white T-shirt. And his thick brown hair stil
l had enough of a curl to make it both casual and sexy.
“So what are you doing now?” Meredith asked, her eyes on Jill, whose body resembled a block of ice.
“He’s a meat slave at The Chop House,” Jill sneered, tugging on her scarf.
“I’m the sous chef. I actually just got back from New York, too. I’m sorry we never met up while we were both there, but my schedule was insane.” Brian thrust the leash into Meredith’s hand suddenly. He grabbed her sister’s chiffon scarf, untangling it from her neck. “Makes me think of the dance of the seven veils.”
“You’re a total pig.” Jill kicked at his shins.
He danced out of the way, but didn’t let go of her scarf, tugging at it playfully. “Then she opens her mouth and makes me think about nooses. Aren’t you ever going to be nice to me again?”
She dug her fist into his stomach. “No.”
He dropped the scarf like it was a hot plate. “Fine!”
Meredith handed him the dog leash when he turned back, unsure what to say or do. It was like being caught in someone else’s couple’s counseling session.
“Good to see you, Mere. I need to run before Frisky over there decides to punch me in the nuts. See you ‘round.” He set off with his lumbering bulldog.
“Carnivore,” Jill called.
Brian turned his head and grinned. “Hippie.”
When he disappeared around the corner, Meredith grabbed Jill’s shoulders. “What the hell was that all about?”
Jill shrugged free. Her hands pressed against her tummy as she took in a few deep breaths. Meredith watched in fascination.
“I am calm. I am at peace. He cannot affect me,” she chanted.
“Jill, what’s going on?”
“We had a big falling out after high school graduation.” Her eyes popped open, revealing despair. “After being friends forever, he finally asked me out. I thought he was getting serious. We were both going to school in Denver. I asked him to be my first. He turned me down, and then hooked up with Kelly Kimple. If that’s not bad enough, he’d hidden the fact that he’d been accepted into The Culinary Institute of America and planned to attend. He broke my heart. Now he’s going to pay.”
Jill took off like a missile, and Meredith had to run to catch up to her. “You never told me all this.”
“You were off somewhere when it happened,” her sister said, flicking a hand in the air as if dismissing the memory. “And I was embarrassed. I leaned on Jemma. She’s forgiven Brian. I haven’t. It doesn’t matter now.”
“But you’re still pissed. And acting really out of character.”
Jill loved everybody, and everybody loved Jill. It was practically a rule of the universe.
“Don’t worry. I don’t run into him too often. He’s only been back for a month.”
Meredith pulled her to a halt. “I’m sorry he hurt you.”
Jill kicked at the sidewalk, refusing to meet her eyes. “I tried to get over him. I even went as far as getting it on with Freddie Pilpipper, a hot-looking skier who was really pathetic in the sack. I never knew a man could have such great equipment without knowing what to do with it.”
What to say? Even though they talked frequently, she was out of practice with the big stuff. “Guys suck.”
Jill sputtered out a laugh. “Yes, they do.”
“Kinda odd, leaving New York’s restaurant scene and coming back to Dare to work at The Chop House.”
“Yeah, Jemma and I wondered, but he hasn’t said. Besides, I don’t care.”
“Okay then, let’s go and have some cinnamon rolls at Kemstead’s Bakery and forget the search for my dream man for a while.”
The spontaneous hug rocked her back on her heels. “I’m so glad you’re here, Mere.”
From the corner of her eye, Meredith caught sight of Mutt lurching out from around the corner. She repressed a frown. Why would a man hover around the corner after a run-in with his former best friend?
Jill squeezed her tighter, and Meredith returned the embrace, the wind rushing over her face.
Who the hell could account for what a man was thinking anyway?
Chapter 7
Tanner was dreaming up ways to murder Sommerville without being put in jail. Coming out of what his GPS called Sardine Canyon—aptly named—he surveyed Dare Valley. Fall had broken out across the land, and crayon-colored trees made the jagged peaks of the mountains look like they’d caught fire. Knuckles white from veering to avoid some stupid ass deer that had tried to cross the two-lane highway, Tanner read the town’s population sign. Only twenty thousand people? Holy shit. He couldn’t live here. He needed the city, the chaos.
Something plopped on his windshield, leaving a white stain. He grimaced and looked up at eleven o’clock. The eagle’s majesty should have given him pause, but he didn’t need some damn bird splatting his SUV, although it might be a common occurrence in Eagle County. He cursed at the sky and hit his window washing button.
Nature. What the hell did people see in it? Too much space, too few people, and too many dumb animals waiting to careen into your car or drop a load on your windshield. He liked National Geographic just fine, thank you, but its proper place was in a school classroom or on a coffee table.
His phone rang. He plugged in one earbud, keeping watch for other dumb-ass animals that might want to put natural selection to the test.
“Hello.”
“So, you’re on the way to Dare,” Sommerville said. “What do you think so far?”
Tanner cursed under his breath. It had only taken the son of a bitch two days to find his number. “I don’t like you keeping tabs on me.”
“Don’t growl, McBride. I have a personal interest in this story. I told you I wanted updates.”
“I’m only just arriving in town. I was going to call.” And tell him to go straight to hell. Or so he fantasized.
“That’s good to hear. I don’t want to have to exert any more undue influence to secure your cooperation. Did you read the file on Meredith?”
He turned right when the smooth voice from his GPS instructed. The road led east of the downtown area. “Yes, it was quite thorough.” He’d included everything down to her favorite flowers—yellow roses.
“What’s your plan for approaching her?”
Too bad Tanner had a good signal, or he would have happily blamed a dropped call on this Beyond Fucking Egypt—BFE—town. The road rose up the mountain. He passed private driveways among the foothills, and through the blur of trees, he caught sight of a few McMansions.
“I don’t know yet. I need to get the lay of the land. See where she hangs out. If I push too hard, she’ll be onto me.”
“You’ll be okay. She won’t see this coming. She’s pretty trusting. You’ll simply be another interested male in a limited meat market.”
He slowed when the GPS alerted him to an approaching left turn. He veered onto a gravel road, the crunch under the tires making him slow down. Aspens and assorted conifers crowded together on both sides. The boughs waved in welcome. The narrow road opened up to showcase a killer house.
“Holy shit.”
“Are you finally there?”
Was the guy tracking his GPS? Hell, it was why his friends never used it overseas. It made it too easy for the bad guys to target you. He wouldn’t put it past Sommerville.
Tanner pulled into the circular driveway and stepped out. The sunlight reflected off the squeaky clean massive windows. The cool air carried a pine scent combined with the smell of the damp loamy soil.
“I’m here.”
“I know you’re pissed, but I hope the accommodations will soften the edge. What do you think?”
He studied the trendy cabin—if it could even be called that. It reminded him more of the natural architecture of Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright. Gray stone and natural wood converged into a two-story dwelling recessed into the forest. It was secluded and quiet. Tanner instantly disliked it.
“Not my style.”
“Well it beats where you’ve been staying. You’ll get used to it.”
Did the man ever listen? “Look, I’m here. I’ll start working and get back to you.”
“I want an update every three days.”
“Don’t micromanage me, Sommerville.”
“All right. Every week.”
Tanner popped the trunk. Rustling in the nearby trees made him swivel his head. He stared into the eyes of a frozen deer before it bounded away. Great. They were everywhere.
Maybe he’d buy a gun.
“Give me two weeks before I make my first report. I’ll have a lot to do with my new faculty position.”
School started next week. He was going to teach. He couldn’t fucking believe it. His old professors would laugh themselves blue. He’d been the student who couldn’t wait to leave the classroom and do something.
“Fine, but you’re not there for school. It’s only a cover. You’re there to make Meredith fall in love with you and stop her story. Making a move on her quickly is key. I had her in bed in a month. If you give her—or any woman—too much time to think, they drag their feet.”
So you drag them off to bed? Tanner pulled out his suitcases and started for the house. This man had no respect for women. Since his dad had shared Sommerville’s philosophy before he’d taken off, Tanner had a real aversion to the female-equals-fuck mentality.
“The realtor left the key under the mat,” Sommerville told him.
He turned his head at the sound of a barking dog. The animal was just ten feet away from him. It looked like a Labrador and sheltie mix, its coat streaked with gold and brown, its head on the small side. He didn’t see a collar, so he shooed it away. He was not picking up a stray dog. He’d never been tied down by an animal before, and this detour was not going to rob him of his freedom. Dammit.
“Quit fooling around. Did you hear me?”
“Yes.” Did the man have a camera planted somewhere too? He’d have to check.
“Okay, get going then. The sooner you make her fall for you, break her heart, and stop the article—the trifecta—the sooner you resume your life. Are you sure you won’t reconsider returning to our former agreement after you’re done up there?”