Denver. Booked a room at the Bunk and Grub.”
Naomi looked over at the table where Pam and the newcomer sat. “Does Pam normally go out to dinner with her B and B guests?”
“No, she does not.” Emmett smoothed his mustache. “Far as I know, it’s never happened before.”
Luke could see Emmett was seething with jealousy and was doing his best to keep a lid on his feelings. “Is he on vacation?”
“No, he’s been in contact with both Pam and Tyler Keller, Josie’s sister-in-law.” Emmett looked over at Naomi. “I don’t know if your folks told you that the town hired Tyler a while back as a special-events planner to bring in more business. She’s been doing a great job.”
“I think Mom and Dad said something about it. And I certainly see the results in the increased tourist trade. So this guy is connected to an event?”
Emmett nodded. “Something to do with special preparations for the Fourth of July celebration. All very hush-hush. They want to surprise the good people of Shoshone.”
“Well, then.” Luke sat back in his chair. “It’s only a business dinner. He’ll be around until everything’s set up, and then he’ll leave. No big deal, right?”
Emmett scowled at him. “It wouldn’t be if I hadn’t seen the way he looked at Pam, like she was a helping of his favorite dessert.”
“That’s understandable.” Naomi seemed to be trying to soothe the troubled waters, too. “She’s a beautiful woman. But there’s no way she’d prefer a citified dandy like him to you, Emmett. She probably went to dinner with him to be polite.”
“I’d be willing to believe that if she hadn’t flirted with him right under my damned nose.”
Naomi smiled. “Emmett, that’s the oldest trick in the book. She’s trying to make you jealous. Everybody knows how you feel about her. And she’s made no secret about how she feels about you, too. Why not end the suspense and propose to her?”
“Can’t bring myself to do it. Doesn’t seem right when she has so much and I have so little.”
“Love?” Naomi asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Emmett snorted. “’Course not. Money’s the problem, not love.”
Luke checked on Pam and Clifford’s table. “Then you’re leaving the door open for the likes of him. I agree with Naomi. I’m sure Pam would rather have you than that character. But she might be tired of waiting for you to get over this hang-up.”
Emmett muttered something that could have been a curse.
“I have an idea.” Luke tucked his napkin beside his plate. “Go over and ask Pam to dance. Stake your claim.”
The light of battle lit Emmett’s blue eyes as he pushed back his chair. “All right, I will. That sonofabitch probably can’t dance a lick.”
Luke grinned. “If he could, he wouldn’t dress like a peacock.”
“That was brilliant,” Naomi murmured as they watched Emmett amble over to the table.
“Let’s hope it works.” Luke thought it might. He hadn’t spent his adult life romancing women without learning a thing or two. Pam looked surprised, but she left her chair and walked to the dance floor with Emmett.
Luke pushed back his chair. “That’s our cue. Dance with me, Naomi Perkins.”
Laughing, she took the hand he offered and soon he had her right where he wanted her, in his arms. He’d had a hunch that she’d be a good dancer. He thanked the series of coincidences that had given him the opportunity to dance with Naomi. What a joy.
Her breath was warm in his ear as she twirled with him on the polished floor. “Did you talk Emmett into dancing for his sake or yours?”
“I figured it would help us both out.” He spun her around. “I couldn’t leave here tonight without at least one dance.”
She brushed a quick kiss on his cheek. “I knew you had more hidden talents.”
“Anything I have is yours for the taking.” He moved her smoothly across the floor in a spirited two-step.
“I’m taking it.”
“When?”
“I’ll be up on my platform by ten in the morning. After that, it’s up to you.”
He twirled her under his arm. “Are you sure we can’t manage something tonight?”
“Positive. You’re going home with Emmett and I’m sleeping in my parents’ house.”
He brought her in close for one precious second. His heart hammered so loudly he could barely hear the music. “I want you so much.”
“I want you, too.” Her cheeks were flushed. “And I will have you. And you’ll have me. Tomorrow.”
The music ended, and he held her close. “Promise you’ll think about me when you’re lying alone tonight.”
She gazed up at him, her lips parted as she breathed quickly, recovering from the exertion of the dance. “Only if you’ll promise to think about me.”
“That’s an easy promise.”
“I think I should leave now.” She eased out of his arms. “See you tomorrow.”
He watched her go and fought the urge to follow her outside for one last kiss.
“That was a good idea you had.” Emmett came over and clapped him on the shoulder. “We dance great together, and I don’t think she’ll be flirting with that Clifford guy so much now. Thanks, son.”
“You’re welcome. Ready to go home?”
“Yeah. I made my statement.” He reached for his wallet and tossed some bills on the table. “Let’s leave.”
Back in Emmett’s truck, they rode in silence for a couple of miles. But finally Luke decided he needed to clear the air. “I know you’re worried about me getting involved with Naomi.”
Emmett blew out a breath. “I wouldn’t be, except you keep talking about leaving. I wish you’d rethink that, Luke. Frankly, I’ve never quite understood it.”
“I have more things to see and do. Too long in one place and I get restless, wondering what’s on the other side of the hill. When you start getting attached is when you’re reluctant to leave, and then you slowly settle into your rut.”
“I suppose you think I’m in a rut, then.”
“From my vantage point, yes, but if you’re happy, that’s all that matters. I was born a wanderer, just like my dad.”
Emmett slowed down so that a family of raccoons could cross the road. “So he travels all over the place, too?”
“Nope.
