Fools (Licking Thicket 3) - Page 60
I clambered out of the cubby and strode across the office to poke that jerk in the center of his silk tie. “Hands off.”
A few seconds too late, I remembered Tucker’s complaints about my possessive, jealous act. “I mean,” I hedged. “He’s… Hands off because he’s…” I glanced at Tuck, who had an eyebrow raised and a curl of amusement at the edge of his lips. Still. I’d promised not to tell anyone about us. “He’s a strong, independent man who can make decisions for himself,” I finished lamely. “And who deserves respect,” I added peevishly for good measure.
Carter’s nostrils flared with suppressed laughter as he looked between me and the hidey-hole. “’Bout time you came busting out of the closet.”
Okay, now that was funny. But I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a laugh.
“State your business,” I said, crossing my arms in front of my chest while forgetting the partial sandwich in my hand. I went ahead and shoved it into my shirt pocket.
“I came to tell Tucker the head of internal medicine at Vanderbilt is coming through town tomorrow on his way to visit family somewhere, and he wants to have lunch with us.”
“With me?” I asked, only because it took my brain a hot second to catch up.
Tucker’s eyes dropped to the floor.
“Never mind,” I muttered.
“Not quite,” Carter said with a smirk. “Pretty sure Dr. Petersmith isn’t interested in a quick sub at a stand-up deli with a farmhand.”
Tucker’s eyes narrowed in anger, but I jumped in before he could defend me. “Yeah, fine. Sorry I asked. I’ll leave you to it, then. The dairy nutritionist is coming to consult with me about feed. Don’t wanna be late.”
I turned to grab my duffle bag when I heard Tuck ask Carter to wait outside for a minute. When the door closed behind him, Tucker eyeballed me. “You just can’t help yourself, can you? I’ve never seen you act so possessive about anything in your life as you do about me.”
I walked over and wrapped my arms around him. “I’m sorry. Except… I’m not really. But I’m sorry you’re upset. I don’t like that.”
His arms wrapped around my back. “Why did you hide? Everyone knows we’re friends. Friends have lunch together.”
I pulled back and kissed him. “I panicked. But I’m good now. See you tonight? But can we stay at the farm because… just because.”
His palm cupped my cheek. “Because Bernie misses you?”
“What? No. Bernie? Pfft. She’s fine outside in the pen.” As if she’d spent more than two nights outside in her whole life. I stepped back, looked around, and gathered up my things. “It’s… the paint colors. I still want to get your help on that.”
Tuck gave me a knowing smile. “See you tonight, then. But if it’s okay with you, maybe we can let Bernadette stay in the house tonight. Just this one time?”
He had such pretty eyes, even when they were giving me a hard time. I kissed him again for good measure. “Well, I mean, if you want to spoil the livestock, that’s on you.”
I left his office in such a daze, I forgot Jenn was out there.
“Dunn! What were you doing back there all this time?”
I could have sworn I caught Vienna’s brain gears turning at warp speed. “Who, me? I was just… having lunch with a friend. Like friends do. Friends have lunch together.”
Vienna snorted which wasn’t very ladylike. And then Jenn acted like we were still dating. Which also wasn’t very ladylike.
“We going out on Friday night?” she asked with a big smile.
My eyes flashed to Vienna for help, but I could see that was a wasted effort. “But… remember about the free trial? We just had the conversation.”
Jenn studied a deep red fingernail. “I remember us talking about plans for the Entwinin’, but we didn’t say anything firm about this weekend. I’ve been real bored and lonely lately. We haven’t hung out in forever.”
Did she mean… hanging out as friends?
I kinda felt bad for her. Being lonely was never fun.
I swallowed. “Can’t this weekend, but I hear Jaybird Proud could use some company. He’s a real dab hand at makin’ Entwinin’ wreaths too. He practices all year on account of his grandpa.”
Who said my mama was the only matchmaker in the family?
She pursed her lips and tapped the fingernail against her chin. “Jaybird washes cars for a living down at the Suds Barn.”
“Ain’t nothing wrong with physical work,” I said, a little too quick. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a giant brown streak of something awful on my work pants. Maybe I should have changed after morning chores.
She was all smiles and cleavage. “Of course not, Dunn. I just meant… he can hardly afford to take me to the new place out on the highway for dinner, and you can.”
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