True-Blue Cowboy - Vicki Lewis Thompson Page 0,42
go up to the attic and bring down my water jug before I start, though. I got distracted and left it there.”
“Want me to run up and get it?”
“No, thanks. I’ll do it.”
“Just don’t forget. Digging stones will be another sweaty job. Skipping lunch is one thing, but I don’t want you to get dehydrated.”
“I won’t. And water’s all I need for the time being.” He gave her a smile. “If I feel the urge for something else, I’ll come in and grab it.”
Her tongue made a quick swipe over her lower lip. “You do that.”
His breath hitched. She was better at this than he was. He’d better make tracks before she got a rise out of him. “If you two will excuse me, I’ll get started.”
“Great. Can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.”
“Me, either.” He headed for the door.
“Oh, Nick?”
“Yes, ma’am?” He turned.
“I think I left a roll of tape in the attic. Would you please look for it while you’re up there?”
A jolt of heat hit him in his privates. “Yes, ma’am. Will do.” Yeah, she was way better at this game.
Chapter Twenty
The minute Nick crossed the porch on his way to his truck, Fiona spun toward Eva and lowered her voice. “Something’s going on between you two. Don’t bother denying it. Sparks were flying just now.”
“Something’s going on.” She grinned. “I’ll tell you in a little bit. How about some virgin cider to take with us out to the porch?”
“I’d love it. I’m parched.” Fiona followed her into the kitchen. “I knew this would happen, but not so fast. How long has he been here?”
“Long enough.” She pulled two bottles of cider out of the fridge and handed one to Fiona.
“Obviously. You’re glowing.”
“I’m surprised I’m not levitating, too.”
“That good, huh?”
“Shh. He’s coming back through.” She raised her voice and called to him. “Don’t forget your water jug in the attic!”
“Thanks. I’ll get that next.”
“And my tape!”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m on it.” His booted feet carried him swiftly down the hall and out the back door.
Fiona glanced at her. “Why are you so fixated on that roll of tape?”
“I’m just teasing him.” She gestured with her cider bottle. “Let’s go sit out on the porch. Do you want to talk about the trunk first, or—”
“Are you kidding? I want to know what happened in the attic!”
Moments later, after Eva had given a redacted account of the incident, Fiona stared at her in amazement. “The smell of his sweat? That’s what put you over the edge?”
She shrugged. “What can I say? His raw, uncivilized body odor called to some primitive part of me and I couldn’t keep my hands off him for another second.”
“I smelled him a few minutes ago and I didn’t react that way.”
“It might have something to do with pheromones. It’s possible his are wildly attractive to me but not to you.”
“I don’t get it. You’ve been cutting his hair since March. Wouldn’t that pheromone thing have kicked in, even a little bit during his appointments?”
“I’ve thought about that. He’s always freshly shaved when he comes in and he uses some brand of pine-scented shaving lotion. It could have blocked his pheromones.”
“That could be why, then. And the salon is a fragrant place—shampoo, conditioner, hair dye, perms—the list goes on. Pheromones might not stand a chance. Did you notice anything different about him last night, without all the salon smells?”
“Well, yeah. After that dramatic ride, I saw him in a whole new light. Literally. When he walked me to the door, I suddenly realized he’s a very handsome guy.”
“Maybe the pheromones had a subtle influence on you even then.”
“Could be. I’m sure he got a little sweaty riding in. Oh, and then we line-danced twice.”
“I read one article that said pheromones are nature’s way of pointing you in the right direction.”
“This was more like a virtual shove. In the heat of that attic, the urge to grab him was overpowering.”
“Has this happened to you before?”
“God, no. I would have remembered.”
Fiona smiled.
“What?”
“Nothing.” She drained her cider bottle and stood. “Tell me about this wedding dress.”
Two hours later, Eva carried the cardboard box of Winifred’s sexy outfits out to Fiona’s truck. “I’m hoping Beth comes up with an idea for what to do with them.” She deposited the box on Fiona’s passenger seat.
“She might. It’s her specialty.” Fiona gave her a hug. “I’d tell you to have fun with Nick but that’s a foregone conclusion.”
Eva laughed. “I think so, too. I hope your date with Leo goes well.”
“It’ll