Ain't She Sweet (Seven Brides for Seven Mothers #2) - Whitney Dineen Page 0,44

to know.

“I’m the owner. My husband’s parents opened this lodge sixty years ago.” She nervously babbles, “They were newly married when they saw this piece of land and just had to have it. They started with a smaller building that they later added on to …”

She would have kept going but Syd interrupts, “I’d like to meet with your pastry chef and see for myself.”

“I don’t know how you can do that. Tara was called away on a family emergency. We don’t expect her back for at least a week.”

“That seems pretty convenient,” he grumbles.

“I’m sorry?” Ruby asks, making sure to sound offended. This man is calling her a liar, and while she technically is one, she doesn’t like being called out.

“I think I’ll stick around until your girl comes back,” he says like it’s a threat.

“It’s your money,” Gwen tells him. Before walking away, she adds, “Make sure to book some spa treatments and outdoor activities while you’re here. You might as well enjoy yourself while you wait.”

Ruby turns and hurries out of the restaurant. She needs to find Tara and let her know that Syd isn’t going anywhere.

James

Penny spent the whole night next door. I’m glad, because I know Tara can use the comfort, but I’m also a little bit jealous. The more I get to know Tara Heinz, the more I really like her.

We had a great talk last night. She’s so much more than just a pretty face with an ornery disposition. She’s funny and interesting, and we like a lot of the same things. I’m willing to bet I would have made a play for her long ago had she grown up in Spartan. Of course, had she grown up here, most of the guys in town would have made a play for her and my chances of catching her interest would have been slim.

I’m lying in bed thinking about our deal to pretend to be a couple when she knocks on the open door between our rooms. “I think Penny needs to go out.”

“Give me a minute to get dressed.” After Tara goes back to her room, I jump out of bed and pull my pants on. Then I grab a shirt on my way through the door to her room. Tara is delightfully mussed from sleep. My eyes go straight to her bare legs peeking out under an oversized t-shirt. They’re long and lean and everything I remember from her Sports Illustrated spreads.

Penny jumps up and down in greeting and I briefly fantasize about Tara doing the same. I have to redirect my thoughts before there’s no way to disguise my interest.

Tara avoids eye contact while mumbling, “Good morning.” Then she hurries into the bathroom and shuts the door.

I take Penny out into the hallway and run into my mom. “You’re in a hurry,” I say in lieu of a more traditional greeting. She was walking so fast she nearly ran me down.

“I just talked to that photographer Syd Byerly. He’s not leaving until he lays eyes on Tara.” She recites their conversation verbatim.

“Mom, Syd Byerly isn’t a photographer. He’s Romaine Choate’s manager.”

“Why in the world would he care where Tara is?” I fill her in on the name and subject matter of the rock star’s upcoming album.

“Poor girl. What is she going to do now?”

“She asked me to pretend to be her boyfriend. She thinks by talking to the real reporter in town she might be able to get Romaine to back off. She’s decided that letting the world know she’s moved on is the only hope she has of eventually shaking these people.”

My mom’s eyes pop open like a couple of saucers. “Really?”

She sounds a bit too excited about Tara’s plan. Then it occurs to me that my mom might have another agenda so, I explain, “We’re not a couple, Mom. I’m just helping her out. I’m helping myself out, too.” I tell her that Tara wants to sell our pictures to pay for my plumbing.

“What an interesting idea!” my mom gushes. “Let me know where and when the meeting is so I can help.” Then she asks, “The reporter she’s going to talk to isn’t named Rachel Perry, is it?”

“How did you know that?”

“I’ve been doing a little investigating on my own,” she tells me. “There’s a Rachel Perry staying here at the lodge in room two forty-two.”

“I guess it makes sense that they’re both staying here. There aren’t any other hotels in town. Hopefully, once we meet with Rachel,