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He didn’t have anything to worry about, he reassured himself. He liked his women soft and curvy, and Ellen did not fit that description. He guessed she had nice breasts—at least they looked nice under her clothes. And he’d seen her in a pair of shorts, so he knew she had great legs. But she was lean and sinewy, not voluptuous and soft like Jennifer, who’d probably been the most feminine woman he’d ever met, with her long hair, pink lip gloss, thick eyelashes and fake fingernails—something Ellen would never be able to wear doing the work she did.
Ellen seemed far more quick-witted, which appealed to him, but she was also a sharp-tongued, belligerent little pixie. Because of their unique situation, she was off-limits to him, anyway.
“Hello?”
Veronica had answered.
“Hey, it’s Hendrix.”
Veronica’s voice grew softer, huskier. “I’m glad you called.”
He shifted his hands on the wheel, wondering if he wouldn’t be better off heading home to watch a movie. But then he thought of Ellen again in that damn robe and forged ahead. “I was wondering if you’d like to grab a drink.”
“Tonight?”
“If you’re available.”
“I’d love to, but I’m babysitting for my brother and sister-in-law. They’re out for the evening.”
“No problem,” he said, more relieved than disappointed. “We’ll try another time.”
“What are you doing tomorrow?” she asked before he could end the call.
Tomorrow was Sunday. He wasn’t sure it would be convincing if he claimed he was working. “I have a few projects around the house.”
“Do you think you’d have time to visit Talulah’s Dessert Diner with me? I’ve heard great things about it, but I haven’t had a chance to check it out. We could meet there and have a slice of cake and a cup of coffee...”
He’d tried some of Talulah’s baked goods and found them to be the best he’d ever tasted, so his level of interest went up significantly. “Sure. What time?”
“Would afternoon be okay? That’d give you the morning to get a good start on whatever you’re hoping to accomplish. I’m thinking...two?”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you there.”
When he hung up, he didn’t regret calling. He could continue to be lonely and miss the companionship he’d had with Jennifer, or he could attempt to move on and find another relationship to fill the void she’d left. After all, there was more to life than work. This particular relationship might not turn out to be the best fit, but he’d be giving it a chance. Finding a woman he enjoyed spending time with required effort and risk.
Stuart called as he pulled into his own driveway.
He hit the Talk button. “Hey, Stu.”
“Lynn and I were thinking about driving over to Billings to visit her friend Pamela tomorrow, but Leo doesn’t like riding in the car for that long. We were hoping we could leave him with you. Would you mind?”
Hendrix had just agreed to meet Veronica. But having Leo along would make the date even more casual, which could translate into making it more comfortable, as well. “It’s a possibility. I need to check with a friend I’m having coffee with. But even if it’s okay with her to bring Leo, there’d be more treats in his future. We’re going to Talulah’s Dessert Diner. Lynn won’t be happy about that, but if I take him there, I won’t try to tell him he can’t have cake.”
“I don’t blame you. He wouldn’t be happy about that. Just a sec.” Hendrix heard Stuart say something to Lynn before coming back on the phone. “She said it’s nice of you to be willing to help out, and he can start his diet again on Monday.”
“No problem. Tell him we’re going to get some of Talulah’s chocolate cake tomorrow. It’ll make his day.”
“It’s okay to tell him? You haven’t checked with whoever you’re meeting...”
“If she’s not cool with it, I’ll reschedule with her and take Leo, anyway.”
“You must not be overly excited to see her,” his uncle joked.
That he was merely trying to distract himself from whatever weirdness had come over him at Ellen’s door was nothing he planned to confide in anyone, least of all her father. “I doubt she’ll mind. It’s Veronica, who works at Master’s Insurance, so she’s met Leo before. He was with me when I renewed our policy. Besides, it’s the first time we’ve ever gotten together socially. It’s nothing serious.”
“Well, you’re not getting any younger...”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.
