just for a moment, and he ignored it for the greater good. “If you fall in love with one of the fine gentlemen I’ve brought to BC, I would call that a happy ending.”
“You’re an ass, Ty Spurlock.”
He was honestly mystified. “It’s no different than a blind date, if you think about it. You’ve been on a blind date before, haven’t you?”
“Yes, but—”
“You’d participate in a bachelorette auction for charity, right? We do those events here every year. The Best Man’s Fork run, the Bridesmaids Creek swim—”
“Am I going to the highest bidder?” she asked, and Ty recognized a warning tone in her voice, which he actually didn’t want to hear. He moved quickly to soothe her and ameliorate any damage.
“Now, Jade, as one of Bridesmaids Creek’s most generous supporters, you deserve nothing but the best. And I’ve brought my very best to BC. That being said, if you don’t like the fellows, don’t go out with them. Sam, Squint and Frog will find other ladies to chat with.” Ty tipped his hat, hoped he’d moved off the hot seat, and headed toward his truck with a sigh of relief.
Jade got in the passenger side before he’d even situated himself in the driver’s seat. “And what about you? I noticed you left your name off the bachelor offerings.”
“I’m not eligible.” He started his truck, backing up. “If you’re riding with me, buckle up. If not, advise me where I may drop you off. You wouldn’t want to keep Sam waiting, I would presume.”
She gave him a decidedly annoyed eyeing. “You really are a jackass, aren’t you?”
“So they say. You coming?”
Jade leaned back, buckled her seat belt. “I’m not done telling you off.”
“Fine by me. We ride together, but you may not like the destination.” He glanced at her, ridiculously happy to have Jade in his truck—and happy as hell that she wasn’t back at The Wedding Diner being romanced by Sam.
Which was kind of bad, because Sam had only been doing what he’d come to BC to do: find a wife. Or at least that’s what Ty had told Sam and the guys they wanted: a wife, and a chance to have a family, become dads. Ty had promised them that BC was ripe, full-to-bursting ripe, with ladies who would leap at the chance to run to the altar.
He sighed. “So what’s the topic?”
“Topic?”
He looked at her long, slim legs in Wranglers, the dangerous look in her eyes. Curves in all the right places. Was pretty certain his libido was starting to smoke. “The topic you’re in my truck to discuss.”
“Let’s start with your Plan.”
“Everybody has to have one, little lady. Otherwise nothing ever gets done.” He rolled down his window, happy to smell fresh country air, be driving a truck in the greatest little town on earth, and have the most dynamite sexy redhead he knew glaring at him from the safety of her seat belt. “You have a problem with plans?”
“The Plan. The Plan that seems to start with you bringing bachelors to town, getting them married, and then you skittering off like a cockroach.”
“I see no problem with that plan. Sounds like all the holes are filled.” He frowned. “Maybe a slight quibble with the cockroach part. Don’t think I ever saw myself in that role.” Ty brightened. “You could rephrase it as Ty rides off into the sunset, leaving behind a grateful town. A veritable hero, and the townspeople cheered their thanks.”
“Ass,” she murmured under her breath.
“Hero.”
“Okay, but say someone decides you’re the catch of the day before you go—”
“Riding off like a hero.”
“Skittering off like—”
“It is understood by all,” he interrupted quickly, before she could bring up the roach bit again, because in the mood she apparently was in, she was going to get around to saying something about how roaches got squished under female boots, “that I’ve never been a marrying man. This has never even been questioned.”
“Ah, the happy, footloose, untamed cowboy.”
“Exactly,” he said, pleased now that they understood each other perfectly.
“Which is why you interrupted my lunch with Sam.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t think Sam’s the man for me. Obviously.”
“Well,” Ty said, uncomfortably acknowledging that what she’d said held the ring of truth, “there are better options.”
“And who would those better options be? Because quite frankly, Sam suits me.”
“How?”
“He’s nice. He’s gentle. He says what he means. Unlike some people, who are full of baloney.”
Ty supposed she meant him. She certainly had that you’re-the-guy-full-of-baloney tone in her voice. “I take it you’re not happy I interrupted your lunch.”
“Face it, Ty, you’ve always been something of a showboat.”
“You mean I live life large.” He sneaked another glance at her shapely body, red-hot from the flaming topknot of hair to her boots. “I remember when you and I used to play with our friends all day in the fields. Ball, chase, Red Rover—if it was a game, we knew it.” He sighed. “I miss those days sometimes.” He didn’t understand how his best friend had grown up to be such a siren. Jade had him tied in knots he wasn’t sure could be undone, except maybe by some kind of spell. Or his absence. “I’ll be leaving soon,” he said, reaching for the easiest knot to untie.
“Good,” she said pleasantly.
His lips twisted of their own accord. “Guess that means no going-away party.” Or kiss, for that matter.
“I wish you the best of luck. I hope you make it through BUD/S. You’ve worked hard enough to get there.”
He turned his head at the soft, earnest note to her voice, surprised. “I believe you mean that.”
“With all my heart.” She opened the door when he stopped at the last crosshatch of road at the town’s edge. “See you around, Ty.”
“You can’t get out here.” They were a good two miles from the main drag. He didn’t want her to leave, anyway. He’d been enjoying having her in his truck, even though he sensed she had something urgent on her mind.
“I’ll be fine. Sam followed us.”
She waved, closed the door, and as she headed to the truck behind his, which was indeed Sam Barr’s vehicle, Ty’s last glimpse of Jade was her sweet fanny as she got on the running board and scooted up into the passenger seat. He blinked, stunned by how fast he’d lost
