Page 54 of The Sweetest Thing
He’d spent the better part of last night making a long list of all the reasons this was a bad idea. They didn’t like each other, they were industry rivals and, of course, she had broken his heart into a million pieces. And yet, one look, one touch and some damn electrified current snapped between them.
She’d probably deny it. Tansy was Tansy. But...she had kissed him. And she didn’t seem sorry about it. Neither was he.
Still, one kiss shouldn’t have him making lists or reading into anything. She wanted him. He wanted her. That was all there was to it.
He blew out a slow breath and stared up at the blue sky overhead.Moving on.
He was done here. After a quick cleanup, he could head back to Honey and the mile-long list of things he had to do there. He wasn’t even supposed to be here. But when his part-time employee had called in sick, a rare event, Dane had no choice but to step in. It hadn’t been all bad. Business had been good and if he hadn’t been here, Annie and Will wouldn’t have met Thor but Dane shook his head. Tansy got a big kick out of that.Yeah, right. He dumped his trash and glanced at Tansy again. Annie’s momhadwanted him to thank her... He’d best get to it.
He was almost at her side when he realized Tansy wasn’t talking to her aunt. This woman was too young, maybe a few years older than Tansy—and she was pushing a baby stroller. But she must be family, since her resemblance to Magnolia Hill was uncanny.
“Dane Knudson.” The voice was loud and so close he jumped—almost tripping over his own feet.
He turned to find sisters Ida Popplewell and Uma Bumgartner, and their friend Corliss Ogden. “Ladies. Good afternoon.”
“It is, it is, indeed.” Ida nodded.
“Couldn’t ask for nicer weather.” Uma Bumgartner shielded her eyes. “How were sales?”
“All sold out.” He rubbed his hands together. “About to pack up and head home.”
“I’m glad we caught you, then.” Corliss stepped forward, her mile-high hair listing slightly to the left. “You know Willadeene and Violet brought lunch out to you-all yesterday? At the barn painting.”
Dane nodded. “The cookies were good.”
“It’s my recipe.” Corliss grinned. “Of course, they were.”
Dane chuckled.
“But, to the point, we were wondering if you saw something...” Uma broke off and glanced at Ida.
“Were Violet and Willadeene snapping at one another?” Corliss pushed her thick-rimmed glasses up her nose. “Willadeene’s madder than a wet cat and Violet’s not speaking to her.”
“Corliss,” Ida hissed.
“What?” Corliss shrugged. “It’s true. What did I say?”
Dane chuckled again. “They were fine when they got there and, as far as I could tell, they were fine when they left.” Which, according to the extreme disappointment on their faces, wasn’t what they wanted to hear.
“I told you we should ask Tansy.” Corliss sighed.
“Have you seen her?” Ida asked. “Tansy, I mean.”
“I did.” He nodded. “Earlier.” Something about Tansy’s interaction with the red-haired woman said they wouldn’t appreciate any interruption. Or, given the audience, speculation. Knowing this group, there’d be all sorts of speculation. Tansy had helped him with Annie, he’d try to steer these lovely ladies as far from Tansy as possible.We can call today even.
“Oh.” Uma smiled. “How nice.” She elbowed Ida.
Ida nodded. “Isn’t it, though?”
That’s not helping, either.
Suddenly, Corliss Ogden pitched forward. Her arms pinwheeled but Dane stepped in and caught her before she face-planted in the dirt path at their feet.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” It was the red-haired woman, her stroller the cause of Corliss’s near fall. “I didn’t see you.”
“It’s fine, child.” Corliss assured her. “I don’t mind being scooped up by a big, strong man once in a while.”
The red-haired woman smiled, slightly, but her gaze darted beyond them. “I am sorry. If you’ll excuse me.” She moved on.
