The Playboy (Chandler Brothers 2)

Blood rushed to Kendall’s head as she sat up, but the dizziness quickly subsided. Too bad the rush left by Rick’s visit hadn’t disappeared as easily. “Who’s Charlotte?”

Pam walked in front of her so she could meet Kendall’s gaze, then perched her hands on her hips. “Just how well do you know your boyfriend?”

“Well enough. Why?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Because Charlotte is Rick’s sister-in-law. She’s the first woman in this town to nab a Chandler man. And I’d think you would know that.”

Kendall swallowed a groan. Rick’s car had been parked outside her guest house through most of his days off. He’d arrived at six in the morning and stayed past ten most nights. They’d scrubbed, cleaned, and given everyone the impression they were new lovers, so head over heels for one another, they couldn’t bring themselves to give up their private time just yet. And lovers quickly learned intimate details about one another, including details about their families. Too bad she and Rick hadn’t taken that into account before letting Kendall loose on her own.

“You were holed up in that house for days on end, but you obviously didn’t spend much time talking.” Pam grinned, giving Kendall the solution she needed.

Latching on to Pam’s suggestiveness, Kendall nodded. “We spent enough time together to learn plenty.” She wiggled her eyebrows provocatively. “But I just spaced for a second. Of course I knew which Charlotte you meant.”

Pam eyed her as if she didn’t believe a word and she was right. “Okay, well, if Charlotte isn’t interested, just come ask me again and we’ll work something out.”

“I’ll do that.” Next time she saw Rick, she’d ask him about his sister-in-law, what she was like and if she’d be willing to consider taking in jewelry on consignment. “Thanks for the suggestion.”

Pam led Kendall back to the chair and began combing out her now blond hair. “Like it?”

She gave Pam a truthful smile. “Very much.”

“Good. Now let’s cut!” Pam lifted the scissors and started snipping.

* * *

Rick kicked his chair back at his desk and fired off a rubber band at the bridal picture again. But this time, it wasn’t the bride he was pissed at, it was himself. When he’d concocted his plan to make the town and his mother think he and Kendall were together, he’d screwed up. Twice. He’d never meant to duplicate Kendall’s painful recent past and he sure as hell had never meant to isolate her in the process. He’d never given the possibility a thought.

Then again he’d never taken women’s personalities into account. He’d seen Lisa in the back of the salon and knew she had to be behind the cold reception Kendall had been given. Lisa had probably gotten everyone to treat her as the outsider who’d taken one bachelor off the list of available men in a small town.

“Messages.” Felicia slapped a small stack of pink paper in front of him.

Rick glanced up at the petite brunette. She’d had her share of relationships with men and she had many women friends. Maybe she could offer insight into the thinking of the females in this town and why they’d be out to ostracize a perfect stranger. “What is it with women?”

“You’re asking me?” Felicia settled into a metal chair beside his desk. “I thought you had written the book on the fairer sex.”

He leaned back in his seat and folded his arms behind his head. “I never claimed to understand the female psyche.”

“Lance says the same thing,” she said, speaking of her current steady. “So is your new girlfriend giving you fits already?” she asked, a knowing twinkle in her eye.

Actually, Kendall wasn’t the problem, he was. He wanted to ease her transition to town, make her happy and comfortable here—something he’d never given a thought to with other women who came and went from his life. Kendall, with her pink, now who-knew-what color hair and her sunny attitude, had gotten under his skin.

“That’s okay, you don’t have to answer,” Felicia said. “But if she’s making you work hard instead of falling at your feet, I can’t wait to meet her.”

Meet her. Maybe that was the solution. Let people meet and know Kendall, as he was coming to know her. Felicia had just given him his solution. He’d let Kendall meet his friends and family, people who’d like her and who she’d like in return. She’d be more comfortable in town once she had allies on her side. No one in town would challenge the Chandlers when they came out in force.

He jumped up and hugged his dispatcher. “You’re a genius, Felicia.”

“Genius, huh? I don’t know what I said, but I ought to tease you more often. Did I mention I want a raise?” She let out a good-natured laugh.

“I’ll put in a good word to the chief.” He winked and grabbed for the phone.