Page 33 of Moonlit Colorado

I turned to face him, forcing a smile. “Yep. You’re right, sorry.” I nearly fumbled the microphone, and it let out a high-pitched screech that had everyone cringing. I swore I saw Dane laughing from the corner of my eye.

“Hi everyone, welcome! The game tonight benefits the new Silver Ridge Children’s Toy Library, so please don’t forget your donations.” I picked up the donation jar to start it passing around. “And I know you’re all as excited as I am that our very own Chief Landry will be reading out the numbers tonight, so let’s give him a round of applause.”

Relax, I told myself.Dane isn’t staring at you.

Ugh, he was staring at me.

I tried to focus on the bingo game, but it was nearly impossible. Whispers spread from the corner where Dane was sitting and talking quietly to the grandmas around him. They fussed over him, giggling at whatever he was saying. Couldn’t he turn that charm off for a few minutes? Did he need that much attention?

When it was time for a break, I bustled around at the front table and tried to look busy. But then a shadow fell over me, and a deep voice said, “Evening, Ms. O’Neal.”

I glanced up into steel-gray eyes. I composed my face into a polite smile. “Hello.”

Dane held out the donation jar. “I was told to return this to you.”

“Thanks.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat. The donation jar nearly slipped from my hands, and it plunked roughly on the table, bills jostling inside. “I didn’t know bingo was your thing.”

“I didn’t either. But Dixie invited me, and when I heard you were in charge, that sealed the deal. I wanted to see you.”

Oh lordy. Heat flooded my face.

Why was I like this? If there had been a vaccine against Dane Knightly’s charms, I would’ve been first in line for the injection.

Teller stepped over and hovered protectively at my side. “Knightly, right? We haven’t met yet. Chief Landry.”

“Good to meet you, Chief. I’ve heard about you from Ashford.”

Teller grunted. “Likewise. Enjoying bingo?”

“Sure. I’m mostly here for Grace, though. I have a favor to ask her.”

I opened my mouth, but Teller spoke before I could. “She’s a bit busy at the moment.”

“I’m a patient man. I can wait until later.”

“She might have other plans. I’d be happy to chat with you instead. Let you know how we do things around here.”

Okay, this was ridiculous. Dane and Teller were eyeing each other, puffing their chests, and talking about me like I wasn’t even here. They were throwing off so much testosterone it was hard to breathe.

“We can talk after bingo,” I said to Dane, resting my hand on Teller’s arm and trying to nudge him back.Stand down.

Dane’s eyes zeroed in on the spot where I was touching Teller. “Works for me.”

I let out a breath when Dane returned to his seat.

Teller leaned in to speak quietly in my ear. “Are you having any issues with him? You seemed uncomfortable. Like I said, some wealthy men think they can have everything they see. I know he’s your brother’s friend, but if you need me to have a chat with Knightly about boundaries?—”

“No. Dane is alright. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”

“I thought you said earlier that you were fine.”

“Iam, and I would love if you stopped interrogating me and called some bingo numbers.”

Teller raised a skeptical eyebrow.

As we resumed the bingo game, my mind went back to the favor Dane had mentioned. Did it have something to do with Ashford? Maybe Dane wanted to buy a nice gift for Ashford and Emma’s wedding and needed my advice.

Teller seemed to have the routine down, so I grabbed the donation jar to count out the funds. There were the usual small bills and a couple of checks. But I stopped when I pulled out a folded stack of crisp bills.

---