Chapter Three

Gail’s head spun as she lay in bed trying to sleep. It had been whirling since Scott made his heart-stopping announcement.

If he sold the company, what would happen to her and her coworkers? Would a new owner keep everyone on, or clean house and start fresh with new personnel?

If he wasn’t her boss any more, she could go out with him with no qualms. An enticing idea—more than enticing—but it wasn’t like anything could come of it. She’d never see Scott again when he returned to his big city.

Yeah. ’Cause that was the important thing to focus on right now. Her almost love-life instead of the possibility of losing her job.

What if Scott changed his mind about selling and just shut down the company? Or would some large, commercial corporation swoop in and absorb the small operation into its corporate umbrella?

She liked working for a small business in a small town. Would she quit if it came down to scenario B? Or were they already on C? Gad.

She needed to come up with a plan of her own. A plan to save the job she loved. What if she could convince Scott small town life wasn’t so bad? Better question, how could she convince him small town life wasn’t so bad?

****

Sandy Allen leaned closer to Gail and whispered, “It might just be the pregnancy hormones talking, but our new boss is really, really hot.” She rubbed her rounded belly and fanned herself.

Gail studied the man in question as he shuffled some papers on the table at the front of the conference room. A hot flash of her own swept through her. “It’s not the pregnancy hormones.”

“I didn’t think so. You know, I heard he’s single. Maybe you should try to hook up with him.”

“Yeah, right. His league and my league are like light years apart.” Gail shifted in her seat. Was anyone listening in on their conversation? Since the meeting hadn’t started yet, unintelligible whispers filled the room. Everyone seemed immersed in their own conversations.

“So what? Look at him.”

Scott cleared his throat and addressed his employees. “Thanks for taking a bit of time from your day to meet with me.”

The room stilled.

“I want to thank you for your patience since I’ve taken over here. I’ve been sequestered in my office trying to get a handle on things and learn as much as I can about this company. I know we’re all still strangers for the most part, but I hope to get to know you better as I plan for the future of Thompson and Sons.”

Why bother to get to know people if he was planning to sell? Had he changed his mind? Hope stirred inside Gail.

“Over the next couple of weeks I’d like to meet with each of you to talk about your role at the company. Nothing too formal, so not to worry.” He smiled. Gail’s heart went pitter pat. “Outside of that, if you have any questions or concerns about how things are going under the new leadership, my door is always open. I know this was a sudden change for everyone, and we haven’t had a lot of time to debrief.” He pushed his hands in his pockets causing the material to stretch enticingly across very male anatomy. “I’ll be in touch about those individual meetings, and in the meantime, I’ll try not to hide in my office all day anymore.”

When the meeting adjourned, Gail made her way back to her desk wondering if Scott would confide his plans about the possible sale to anyone else during their meetings. He’d told her to keep it in confidence, but surely he’d run it by someone else in the company besides the receptionist, right? One of the senior accountants perhaps?

Then again, he hadn’t told Gail the receptionist about his plan; he’d told the woman he wanted to ask out to dinner his plan. Although he claimed their after-work coffee was a business meeting, a more personal tone had definitely sneaked in. Especially while they were holding hands.

And speaking of a more personal tone…a miniature tan teddy bear with a red ribbon around its neck sat in Gail’s desk chair. A small, white card dangled from the ribbon.

She picked up the bear and fingered its soft paw before flipping open the note.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

This teddy named Ted

Is just for you

Once again the bold scrawl and silly note made her smile. Where did he come up with this stuff?

She removed the note from the ribbon and tucked it in her purse. No telling if someone would get nosey. Ted went in a place of honor next to the flat screen monitor in the corner of her desk.

Her smiled lingered as she pressed the button to check voicemail. It had been a long time since anyone tried to convince her to be their Valentine. Boss or not, a small part of her, growing more tempted everyday, wanted to let him.

****

Had she found the bear yet?

Scott swiveled his chair. The view from the second-story window overlooked the clichéd Main Street of the small town complete with clock tower and corner square. It couldn’t have been more different than the jutting panorama of skyscrapers visible from his office in Manhattan.

Had it been wrong to tell Gail he was thinking of selling the company and going back? Would her knowing help or hurt his chances of taking her out on a real date? Not just coffee, but dinner at a nice restaurant.

He wanted to be honest with her. Lying or keeping things from the woman you wanted to date was no way to start a relationship. Even a short-term one. Which is the only thing it could be if he went back to New York.

But meanwhile there was nothing wrong with getting to know Gail better. Time for the next step in Operation Valentine. For that, he needed some expert help.

Scott punched in a number on his cell. “Hey, Sis, I delivered the candy hearts and the bear. What’s next?”

****

“Fancy meeting you here.”

The sparkling green eyes of Scott Callahan made Gail catch her breath. “What are you doing here?” Gad. Hadn’t they greeted each other the exact same way last time? And why was she suddenly making a habit of running into him at The Corral?

“Actually, I was hoping you would be here.”

“Scott…” He certainly was tenacious. Which wasn’t good for her waning willpower.

“Well at least we’re past all that Mr. Callahan stuff.” He nodded toward the empty chair across from her. “Mind if I join you?”

“Sure. I mean, I don’t mind. I’m just waiting for my cousin.”

“Ah, the meddler?” He slid onto the high chair. Although he’d traded in his business suit and tie for khakis and a polo shirt, he was still overdressed for The Corral. For some reason, though, he didn’t look out of place. Was it the small thrill of knowing he’d ventured there just for her?

“The one and only.” What would Amber say when she saw Scott sitting with Gail?

“What are you drinking tonight?”

Gail held up her almost-empty bottle. “It’s a beer night.”

Scott hailed a passing waitress and ordered another beer for her and a scotch and tonic for himself.

“Have you ever had a beer in your entire life?”

“Of course.”

She cocked her head to the side. “So let me ask you something. Hypothetically, if I said yes to dinner, where would you take me?”

“La Ristorante, a wonderful Italian restaurant with a fabulous wine list. White linen tablecloths. Tuxedoed waiters.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Sounds pretentious.”

“Me or the restaurant?”

Before Gail could reply, her cell phone chimed, signaling a text. Amber’s name popped up on the screen. “I’m sorry, I just want to check this. Amber was supposed to be here by now, maybe she’s letting me know she’s running late.”

“Go right ahead.”

Gail opened the text. When I came downstairs I saw you sitting with a hot guy. Niiiice. You know what they say, three’s a crowd. I want the scoop later. Or the morning after. A winking smiley face completed the message.

Subtle.

“Is everything okay?”

Gail tucked the phone in her back pocket. “Yeah. Something came up and Amber can’t make it.”

“Well then this must be my lucky night. I get you all to myself.”

He certainly wasn’t lacking in the charm department. “Looks like it.”

Pam set their drinks on the table. “Beer for you, Gail, and scotch and tonic for you, sir.”

“Pam. Scott Callahan. Scott’s new in town.” She made the introduction. No need to stand on formality at The Corral.

“Howdy.” While Scott pulled money out of his wallet, Pam turned to Gail. Nice, she mouthed.

Gail concurred, but hoped he hadn’t seen the silent exchange.

Scott raised his drink after she left. “Here’s to cousins who suddenly had something else to do.”

Gail clinked her bottle against his glass. “Thank you for the beer.”

“You’re welcome.” He gestured. “So you come here a lot?”

“All the time.” Ugh. She sounded like some pathetic bar fly.

“Why do you like it so much?” He didn’t sound judgmental, merely curious.

“The people are friendly. Everyone knows everyone. Even if you weren’t here when Amber canceled, I still would have found plenty of people to talk to.” No use mentioning Amber wouldn’t have canceled if Scott hadn’t been there. “I wouldn’t have felt weird being here by myself. It’s a nice place.” Couldn’t hurt to talk up any positive aspect of small town life.

A trio of cowboys walked by the table. One tipped his hat to Gail. Normally she’d check to see if they looked as nice going as they did coming, but tonight the dark haired executive sitting across from her was more than enough to claim her full attention. Who, they’d already established, had an ass so fine it didn’t matter it was covered in khaki instead of denim.

“Is it always this crowded?”

“Usually. Logan and Sharlie have made quite a success out of this place.” She took a sip of beer. “You know I’m actually surprised Logan was willing to close the bar for a private event last Friday.”

“I think originally the idea was to have the mixer upstairs in part of the restaurant, but so many people signed up they had to move it down here. In the long run, the bar did plenty of business. Think about all the people who were here looking for artificial courage the other night. I’m sure Logan’s bottom line didn’t take a hit at all.”

“I didn’t think about it like that.”

Scott shrugged. “It’s my job to think like that.”

Did he ever let loose, relax, and not think about work? “What did you do for fun in New York?” Would anything in a small town be able to compare?

If he thought the change of topic was odd, he didn’t let on. “I play golf.”

Boring. She’d sooner watch paint dry, but to each his own. Plus, it was definitely something he could do around here. If he decided not to sell the company and stayed.

“Would you care to dance?”

“Dance?” His turn to change the topic?

“I don’t know how to do any fancy line dancing stuff, but I do know a slow dancing song when I hear it.” He stood and held out his hand. “What do you say?”

“Okay.” What happened to her resolve to not date the boss? Drinks. Dancing. You couldn’t get much datier. Dare she hope for a good night kiss later?

Whoa. Another hot flash.

He led her onto the parquet floor where he guided her into the conventional dance position: one hand at her waist, the other holding hers. The subtle scent of his cologne wafted over her.

Gail ignored the curious stares. She could almost read the questions burning in the other dancers’ eyes as they studied the stranger in their midst.

“Everyone’s staring at you.” His whisper tickled her ear.

“Actually, everyone’s staring at you.”

“Great.” He glanced around. “So, these…cowboys…are your usual type?”

“You could say that.” Definitely her type, but she didn’t want to sound too enthusiastic.

Scott made a noncommittal sound in his throat as he guided her across the floor. He really wasn’t half bad at the whole dancing thing.

“Have you ever dated any of these guys from the bar?” His tone held an edgier than just casual curiosity note.

She tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “I’ve gone out with a few guys from the bar at one time or another.”

His glance slid over her head. “Recently?” He led her through another smooth turn.

“No, not really.”

They danced in silence for a few measures, which gave her time to appreciate the breadth of the masculine chest inches from her own. The spark of awareness spreading from their joined hands down her arm until her whole body tingled. The warm weight of his palm at her lower back.

“So, whatever came of those dates?”

Gail shrugged. “Nothing really.” She’d had a nice time with the guys she’d gone out with, but not one had led to a spark of something deeper. Lasting. “I’ve made some nice friendships.” Whoo hoo. Like that would keep her warm at night. Or keep the loneliness at bay.

“Interesting.” He sounded almost amused.

Was he making fun? She cocked an eyebrow. “How so?”

“Well, here you are, surrounded by all these men who are your type.” The air quotes around the words were obvious. “Yet you’ve never found anyone you wanted to stay in a relationship with. Maybe a cowboy really isn’t your type. Maybe”—his emerald eyes gleamed in the dim light—“you should give a different type a try. Like say, the president of an accounting firm.”