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“What’ll it be this time?”
“Same thing. A cosmo, I think.”
Chad chuckled under his breath. Those girly drinks did nothing for him. His brothers favored scotch and bourbon, but Chad was a beer man all the way. “One cosmo for the lady,” he told the bartender, “and another Fat Tire for me.” Chad threw a twenty on the counter. “Keep the change.”
“So tell me more about the infamous McCray brothers,” Amber said. “I’ve heard lots, but being new here, I’m not sure what’s gossip and innuendo and what’s truth.”
Chad let out a boisterous laugh. “Honey, it’s all gossip here in Bakersville. It’s a small town, and everybody knows everybody else’s business. What exactly have you heard?”
“Just that you all are the richest men in town, owners of the largest ranch. And you all love the ladies.” Her sweet lips curved in to a flirtatious grin.
“Honey, my big brothers are both married. Lovesick as they come.”
“Oh? Are they as fine looking as you are, Chad?”
“Some say finer.” Chad winked. “Dallas, he’s the oldest, is married to Annie, the vet here in town. They have twin girls, Sylvie and Laurie, named after their grandmas. And Zach, he’s the middle brother, is married to a sweet little girl we’ve known since we were kids. He and Dusty have a four-year-old boy, Sean.”
“And your parents? They still around?”
“My pa died nearly ten years ago and my ma just last year.”
“Goodness. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
“It’s okay, honey. My ma had aggressive breast cancer. By the time she was diagnosed, the docs only gave her a year to live. She made it two. We consider that good fortune.”
“Wow.” Amber took a sip of the cocktail the bartender set in front of her. “I’m real sorry. That’s tough.”
“It was, but we’re fine. We’re muddling through. My brothers have their families, and they take good care of me.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, I can crash with them when I need some family time. Mostly I hang at my own place, though. And speaking of my place”—he took her hand and rubbed his calloused thumb over her smooth manicured fingers—“I’ve got the makings for more cosmos there. And the sweetest black lab you’d ever want to meet.”
“Oh, I love dogs,” Amber gushed.
“Marnie’d love to meet you, honey,” he said, circling his thumb in her palm. A little hand massage always sent the right message.
“You have remarkable hands,” Amber said, closing her eyes. “Ever think of going into the nail business?” She let out a girlish giggle.
“Can’t say I have, honey,” Chad said. “My ranch keeps me pretty darn busy.”
“Mmm. Well, you sure know how to give a good hand massage. Come by the shop sometime, and I’ll return the favor. No charge.”
“I’ve got a better idea.” He dropped her hand and ran his fingers up the smooth silk or her arms and shoulders.
“What’s that?”
“How about you give me that massage tonight?” He leaned over and kissed her lips lightly. “At my place.”
“You are just one sweet-talking cowboy, aren’t you, Chad McCray?”
“Is that a yes?”
“What must you think of me? Barely in town a month and going home with a man I hardly know.”
“I think we’re attracted to each other. What’s wrong with that? As for barely knowing me—” He trailed his lips to her ear and nipped her lobe. “I guarantee you by morning we’ll know each other a whole heckuva lot better.”
She shuddered under his mouth, and he smiled against her cheek. Bingo.
