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He nearly ran into her. She had her coat in her hands.
“Please don’t leave. I’m sorry…”
“Always the inquisitive reporter,” she said bitingly.
“No, I was merely concerned.”
“You don’t know me. How can you be concerned about me?”
He shrugged. “Beats me, but there you have it. If you don’t want to talk about it, ignore my question, but please come back to the table? Mitch isn’t happy with me.”
“I’m tired, and I’m not in the mood…”
“But I’m sure you’re hungry?” He took the coat from her hands. “Let me put this away again. Come and eat, please.”
Holding his breath, he waited for her to nod before he moved to put the coat back. As they walked back to the table, he had a hard time not staring at her. Dressed in figure-hugging pants and a soft pink sweater, she was a sight to behold, and he itched to take down the tight bun and run his fingers through her hair…
Cussing softly, he followed her to the table. His heart was beating like a runaway train, his mouth was dry, and he couldn’t for the life of him look away from her.
Man, he hadn’t been prepared for someone like her.
*
Vivian quickly walkedback to the table. She felt like a four-year-old who’d just had a tantrum but was forced to go back and eat at the dinner table.
Mitch got up as they neared the table and put his hand at her back. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Just hungry.”
“Say the word, and we can leave,” her brother said beneath his breath. “Did he say something to upset you?”
She shook her head and quickly pulled out her chair. Aiden was there before her, though, and their hands met. Electricity crackled. She pulled hers back quickly and sat down. Whatwasthat? Not something that had ever happened to her.
Aiden sat down, as well. Closer to her than before, if she wasn’t mistaken. Her body hummed.
Seriously—she didn’t need this on top of everything else.
After the waiter had taken their orders, it was quiet around the table until Aiden cleared his throat. “Aunt Janice, you’ve told me about the copper they found around here way back when, but there are no mining activities at present as far as I can see?”
Clearly relieved at the change of topic, his aunt nodded. “The copper was more like fool’s gold, and in less than ten years, all copper mining ceased. By 1899, many folks had left, but the ones who stayed behind were joined by European immigrants, and they put down roots, raised cattle, and worked the land.”
“And today”—Annie smiled—“Marietta is a thriving community of ranchers, cattlemen, and commercial enterprises. We moved here from Sacramento…” Annie continued.
Vivian gave her a kick under the table, but smiling, her sister ignored her. “A bustling, vibrant city, so moving to a small town, where everybody seems to be fascinated by your every move, has been challenging, to say the least.” Annie smiled. “And, of course, the cold is quite something to get used to.” And ignoring Vivian’s stare, Annie blithely continued to tell everyone around the table why they’d decided to move to Marietta.
Fortunately, at that point, the waiter brought their food, and Annie was forced to stop talking. Relieved, Vivian picked up her knife and fork. Maybe if she were doing something, she wouldn’t be so overwhelmingly aware of Aiden’s body heat next to her, or the subtle scent of bergamot and citrus seeping into every pore of her body, driving her crazy.
As soon as everyone had their food, Aiden looked at Annie. “So, why Montana?”
Annie’s smile slipped slightly. “Is that the reporter asking questions for a story or the godson visiting his aunt?”
Aiden grimaced and held up his hands. “I’m trying and apparently not succeeding, in making conversation. You don’t have to answer me.”
“Sorry,” Annie said, darting a look at Vivian. “Vivian had a very bad experience with reporters…”
“Not something we will be discussing right now,” Vivian interrupted. “Janice, how did it go with the preparations for the ball this morning?”
*
