AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The tingles,” Bo added with a wistfulness that was uncharacteristic of her.
“Oh yeah,” Mikki agreed. “And that tightness in your stomach because you’re so happy and in love that you’re terrified it’s all fake or worse, not returned.”
I listened with half an ear because my heart beat so loudly it drowned out everything else. Because my hands shook too badly to take a drink without drawing attention to it. Because my mind didn’t want to accept the conclusions that had already be drawn.
I spent the rest of the night thinking of their words while trying very hard not to think about them. But two oversized margaritas had my thinking a little fuzzy, allowing thoughts of Rafe and his smile, his laugh, his gorgeous face and capable hands, to invade my mind. By the time I said my goodbyes, I was in a full blown panic.
And when I got home and saw the big sexy package waiting for me on the doorstep, I felt it. The tingles. The tightness in my gut. “Crap, they were right,” I whispered under my breath as I took in Rafe’s smiling face.
I was in love with Rafe Montgomery.Rafe“Looking for someone?” Nate Callahan clapped me on the back with a wide, knowing grin.
I shook off his shoulder, ready to pummel the next person who asked me that damn question. “Nope, just scoping out the place.” Not that there was much to actually scope out. It was the Black Thumb which hadn’t changed in about twenty years so there wasn’t much to scope out but there was no way in hell I would tell Nate or anyone else that I was wondering where in the hell Janey was. This was her night as much as it was for anyone but Tulip herself and an hour into the night, she was nowhere to be found.
“Really?” I could hear the laugh in his voice and instead of responding, I took a long pull of a brown ale. “Because everyone has noticed that you’re watching the door like there’s a warrant out for your arrest.” His quiet laughter was the only thing that could have pulled my gaze from the door.
“No idea what you’re talking about,” I told him easily and took another pull from my bottle.
“Then I shouldn’t tell you that Mikki’s running late because Janey made a last minute stop in the store for something to wear.” I tried hard but my eyebrows betrayed me and Nate laughed again. “That’s what I thought. What’s got you so worried?”
“I’m not worried,” I said easily, refusing to put what I was feeling into words.
“Good because here come the matchmakers my friend and you,” he clapped me on the back again with a sympathetic smile, “are on your own. Later.”
“You wouldn’t.” But Nate was already backing away, gesturing like he was saying something important.
“I would. In fact, I’m already gone.” He turned on his heels and disappeared into the thick throng of people who’d showed up to celebrate the release of the infamous Hometown Heroes charity calendar, which was to say that all of Tulip had turned up along with plenty of people from outside of Tulip.
So far the night appeared to be a success, and Janey should be here enjoying it. Instead, she was late and I was five seconds away from being ambushed.
“Chief Montgomery, I have someone I’d like you to meet.” Eddy stood before me wearing a tiger print athletic suit that somehow made her small frame seem bigger and more menacing. Her lipstick was bright red with a requisite amount on her teeth, which I chose to ignore, and curved into a knowing grin.
“Good evening Eddy. Any friend of yours,” I began but she cut me off.
“Could be a potential love match for you.” Her smile was so bright and so proud she didn’t notice the dark look that crossed my face.
“That’s doubtful but tonight is about charity and helping out Tulip, so introduce me to your friend.”
“Don’t be so sure,” she said and wagged a finger at me. “This is Tonya Roberts, she’s a corporate attorney in Dallas.”
Tonya stepped forward with a blinding white smile on her face that was only eclipsed by her in your face cleavage and bright red hair. “Rafe, Eddy has told me so much about you but her description didn’t do you justice.” Just to make sure she made her point, Tonya shoved her chest in my face and stood close enough that her perfume damn near choked me.
“Well she didn’t tell me anything about you Tonya, but it’s nice to meet you.” I stuck a hand out for her to take, a bland smile on my face. “Thanks for coming out tonight to support the town.”
Her smile slipped just a little but she wasn’t deterred. Not yet. “If you want to grab a table in the corner, I’ll be happy to tell you all about me.”
