His brows furrowed in concentration as he wiped the blood from her face. His green eyes held tiny flecks of gold, making them almost sparkle. He had the most mesmerizing eyes. Paul Newman, never-forget kind, except in green instead of blue. Her breath caught in her chest. She couldn’t think. Oh dear. No man had ever sent such a warm rush of pleasure pulsing through her before. Not even during sex.
“You need medical attention. Your nose isreallyswollen.”
His words obliterating her sexual feel-good haze, she leaned forward, kept a smile on her face, and whispered, “Stop saying how swollen my nose is. I’ll deal with it later. Right now, I need to do my job.” Then she straightened and announced, “I’m fine, everyone. If I wasn’t, I’d say so. Now let’s get this party back on track and toast the happy couple.”
She placed her empty bottle in the tub and selected another. This one she opened before handing it to him. “Pour. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Hey, Zane,” came Ty’s voice again from the dance floor, “everyone okay back there? You about got that champagne poured?”
McKenna froze. Zane? While that wasn’t a common name, it wouldn’t be unheard of for two men named Zane to be in attendance tonight.
Right, and if you believe that then you’ve got less brains than God gave a fruit fly.
“Don’t get your britches in a knot, Ty. We’ll be ready for the toast in a minute,” Zane replied.
No, she couldn’t have done what it appeared she had—assumed her boss’s grandson was temporary hired help, ordered him around, and spilled champagne all over him.
This man couldn’t be Ginny’s grandson, the video game designer from Los Angeles, because nothing about this man said California. He was all Texas, including Wrangler jeans, a crisp black western shirt, a silver oval belt buckle with Texas written in the center, and freshly polished cowboy boots.
Despite the evidence, she had to be certain. “You’re not Ginny’s grandson Zane, are you?”
“The one and only.” He tipped an imaginary cowboy hat in deference. “Good to meet you. I assume you’re Ginny’s assistant, McKenna?”
She swallowed her groan and nodded. “I’m so sorry for assuming you were staff. Granted, it was an honest mistake.” She pinched her lips together, fearing she’d start rambling.
“Understandable,” Zane said and nodded toward the champagne flutes. “Let’s get this crowd a drink before they rush the table.”
McKenna smiled at the guests assembled around them. “I appreciate everyone’s patience.” She scanned the room for wait staff. Where was everyone they’d hired tonight? She leaned closer to Zane. “Guests don’t pour drinks. I’ll find other help.”
“I’m here and willing. No need to keep everyone waiting.”
Conceding his point, she nodded, and made a mental note to introduce herself properly later. A second apology for her assumption wouldn’t hurt either.
A minute later, when they’d finished filling glasses, McKenna motioned guests forward while she and Zane stepped aside. When everyone was served, Zane grabbed two glasses and held one out to her. She accepted the flute and smiled, ready to toast the happy couple, though she wouldn’t drink. Alcohol on the job, even a small sip, was a rule she never broke.
“Everyone’s set, Ty,” Zane called out. “Go ahead with your speech, but don’t make it too long-winded.”
“Would I do that?” Ty shot back.
“Yes,” responded a chorus of voices.
“Tough crowd,” Ty groused and asked AJ and Grace to join him. “When the FBI sent AJ to Wishing to ferret out the forged government documents floating around the county, they did us a huge favor. Not only did he take care of that problem, but we got the best chief of police we could ask for.”
Cheers and hear hears erupted.
“Then Cassie asked Grace to manage the Bluebonnet Inn, and she literally ran into AJ.”
“Dang if she didn’t total my truck,” AJ grumbled.
“Only because it was pretty much worthless,” Grace countered.
Ty turned to the couple. “Can I continue with memorializing your love for each other?”
The crowd laughed, and McKenna joined in, envious of the genuine affection between the couple and the best man.
“We’re glad fate brought them here and threw them together.” Ty raised his glass, as did everyone. “Here’s to Grace and AJ. May you be as blessed in your marriage as we have been since you two moved to town.”
Everyone cheered again, clinked glasses, and wished AJ and Grace all the best. The DJ started the music again and guests returned to the dance floor.
