Page 6 of Puppy Love & Snowflake Kisses
Thathadn’tgonewell.
Not at all.
Parker didn’t intend for things to get confrontational with Belle. He’d merely been trying to help her out with her tail light. She’d certainly taken it the wrong way.
She didn’t even seem thankful that all he did was give her a warning to get it fixed. He could have just as easily fined her. It wasn’t like this was the first time he’d pulled her over.
Belle had a lead foot in her red Jeep. Although her speeding hadn’t been in downtown, it was still illegal to speed on the outskirts of town.
He sighed. At last, his shift was over. Now he could go home and spend some time in his woodshop. He was finishing a wooden bench for his mother to put in her foyer. It was going to be a Christmas present.
First, he needed a cup of coffee. He stepped into Kringle Cup Café. He ordered a large coffee with milk. It would get him through a couple hours of staining.
On his way out of the coffeeshop, he heard someone call out his name. He turned and looked around. That was when he spotted his younger brother Michael. His brother waved him over to the table, where he was sitting alone.
Not in any particular rush to get home, Parker walked over and took a seat. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Waiting for Candi to get done at Purr ’n Woof. We’re supposed to go do a little Christmas shopping.”
Parker arched a brow. “You two are getting serious?”
Without hesitation, Michael nodded. “I guess when you know it’s right, it is.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Maybe you should think about getting serious with someone.” Michael’s gaze prodded him.
Parker shook his head. “I don’t think so. Besides, who would I get involved with in this small town?”
“How about the one woman who has been getting under your skin since we were kids?”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about.” The words came rushing out much faster than he’d intended. The truth of the matter was that he knew exactly who his brother was talking about—Belle Sinclair. The beautiful woman who always knew how to push his buttons.
But his brother had it all wrong. They rubbed each other the wrong way, even when he was trying to help her out. There was no way they could go out on a date much less have a serious relationship. The thought was laughable. So, then, why wasn’t he laughing?
He gave himself a mental shake, removing the thought of him getting involved with Belle. That wasn’t going to happen. Not a chance.
An amused look came over Michael’s face. “When you start denying things so vehemently, I know you’re lying. The question I have is: are you lying to me or to yourself?”
“I’m not lying.” His voice wasn’t as firm as he would have liked it to be.
A grin came over Michael’s face. “Uh-huh. And is that why you pulled Belle over again and wrote her another ticket?”
Parker’s frown deepened. “How do you know?”
“Because you pulled her over in the middle of town. You know this place loves gossip. And each time you pull Belle over, the tongues wag. They can’t decide if you hate her or if you’re in love.”
“What? I’m not in love with her.” His voice rose in volume. When he glanced around, everyone was staring at them. Heat rushed up his neck and settled in his face. He made a point to keep his voice low. “Stop with this Belle stuff.”
Michael looked at him with amusement dancing in his eyes. “Then, why don’t you get yourself a date? It might stop the gossip. Then again, it might start new gossip.”
Parker shook his head and waved off his brother from continuing. “Just stop. I’m done with dating. I’m fine being a bachelor.”
Michael arched a brow, as though contemplating his words. “All right. But how about you try to be Belle’s friend. If you give her a chance, you’d find out that she’s really nice.”
He wanted his brother to stop talking about Belle. “And why would I want to do that?”
Michael let out a laugh. “The fact you have to ask me says it all. Just find a way to strike a truce with the woman. I’m sure she would appreciate it more than you pulling her over every chance you get.”
