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Kendall laughed. “We’ve got a couple of teenagers who are totally crushing on Shane. He’s so uncomfortable.”
“Not used to being objectified? Close your eyes.”
Kendall did as directed. “He’s not a fan of big crowds. Especially when there’s a surplus of females. He’s gone out on the trails with a couple of the husbands, but other than that, he likes to stay in the background.”
“Is he shy?”
“No, more like antisocial. His nickname is Oscar for a reason.”
“And you’re in love with him?”
“Afraid so.”
“I know I said he’s your match, and it’s obvious he is—somehow. But he doesn’t sound like your type.”
“I know. He really isn’t. But I love that he’s so gruff. It’s even better when I manage to get him to laugh or smile.”
“If you say so.”
The conversation dropped as Bells hit her hair with the dryer and followed up with the curling iron. She swept the mass of curls over her shoulder, leaving one side sleek.
A fat brush distributing powder over her cheeks was the last step.
“Okay, now I don’t want you to say anything. Just put the dress on.”
“Oh, God. What did you bring?”
Bells looked down at her more than ample chest. “Well, not one of mine, obviously.”
Kendall snorted.
“Now don’t get all uppity. I got a ridiculous deal on it. Not many people in Winchester Falls are a size puny like you are.”
Bells was a bit on the lush side, but she embraced her body. She liked being a bombshell and used every inch of her God-given curves to make men beg. And they usually did.
Kendall opened the first bag and found a slinky teal number.
“That one’s mine.”
Thank God. She was sure that would just fall around her like a tent. Kendall went to the next bag and unzipped. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
NINETEEN
Shane smoothedhis hand down the buttons of his white dress shirt. The house was teeming with people, some guests and some friends from town. He recognized people from his trips into the lumber store, market, and diner.
Lily had nagged him and threatened to drag his butt over to the house if he didn’t make an appearance. Because it was good business, for both Avery Furniture and the Heron, he agreed to at least show up for a few minutes.
He forced himself not to roll his eyes when the two girls started giggling and watching his every move from the porch. For Christ’s sake, he was way too old for them. He slipped in the open back door and grazed at the assorted appetizers table.
He snagged a beer from one of the tubs under the table and snicked the top off for a long sip only to choke.
Kendall came around the corner, a wineglass in her hand and miles of pale flesh on display. One shoulder was completely bare. Some sort of shimmery dress draped across her chest and arms. It was like liquid silver over smoke. The dangerous part was the skirt that molded her hips and stopped a good five inches above her goddamn knees.
Her legs were bare, and strappy black mile-high heels tightened her calves. She’d done something to her face. Her dark eyes looked like aged bourbon, and her lips were slick with gloss.
She was so fucking beautiful she made his brain slow to a stop. She held out her hands to someone and leaned up to give him a kiss.
That Brandon guy.
