“That was decent of her. Personally, I would have told you to fuck off.”
Paul gave a reluctant smile. “If you weren’t causing my sister such hell, I think I could almost like you, Worth. Steven had a lot of great things to say about you.”
“Steven said great things about everyone. That’s the type of guy he was.”
“True. But there was something different in his voice when he spoke of you.” Paul looked out toward the busy dance floor then back to Jared. “He really idolized you.”
A sharp memory jabbed at Jared, reminded him of just how far he’d fallen. “Believe me, I’m nobody’s idol.”
“You don’t have to convince me.”
Another waitress approached their table, this time carrying a large plate of nachos. Once more, the waitress ignored Paul and focused her sole attention on Jared. “Thought you looked kinda hungry.”
Jared had to give the owner credit; only knockouts waited the tables. But while the plate of crispy chips and oozing cheese looked appetizing, especially considering what he’d been eating during this past week, he was fast realizing that coming into the Sawmill hadn’t been the escape he’d hoped for. Anonymity in a small town was unheard of. And that was before he factored in Jenny’s brother. “Thanks, but—”
“No buts.” She smiled and set the plate down on the table. “The Sawmill is famous for their nachos. It’s almost a law you have to try them before you leave.”
Jared knew he wouldn’t eat them. As soon as he could, he was outta here. But still, he reached for his wallet a third time. And once more he was told to put it away.
“They’re on the house. A welcome gift for Hidden Lake’s newest resident.”
Resident was a bit of a stretch. “I’m not planning on sticking around that long.”
“Our loss.” She crossed her hands in front of her stomach and cocked a hip out to the side. “Maybe after you and Paul get done talking, you’d like to dance.”
They both knew the offer was for more than just a dance. Jared had had more than his fair share of women in his day. It wasn’t something he was extremely proud of, but, then again, it wasn’t something he was ashamed of, either. The saying was true: a set of dress whites and gold wings could get you a bed anywhere. Anytime. And for years he’d taken what women had offered. And he liked to think he’d given back more than his fair share. But several years ago he’d realized he was never going to find what he was looking for between the sheets with a beautiful stranger.
Hell, he wasn’t even sure he knew what he was looking for.
“That’s a real nice offer,” he said to the stunning red-head, “but I have to be heading back soon.”
She tried for the pouty lip look. “Maybe next time.”
He nodded. “Yeah. Maybe.”
“That happen to you often?” Paul asked after the waitress had left.
“What?”
“Getting hit on every five minutes.” Paul grabbed a chip loaded with cheese. He popped it in his mouth and then wiped his hands off on his napkin. “Hell if I know what women see in you, but stay away from my sister. She might have told me to back off, but I’m not going far.”
“Is that a threat, Counselor?”
“Call it a warning.”
“Jenny can hold her own.”
“She’s not one of your usual groupies, Worth. I remember other things Steven told me about you, too, so don’t try to pull any of your stunts on her. She’s not accustomed to a player like you.”
“If you’re trying to insult me, you’ll have to do better than that.”
Paul stood. “Just remember what I said.”
Jared watched Paul walk away. Pain in the ass notwithstanding, he wondered if Jenny realized how lucky she was to have a brother who cared. For that matter, a family who cared.
She’s not accustomed to a player like you.
All week Jenny had been doing everything in her power to avoid him. She stayed away from the hangar, cooked those horrid meals when he was out running or out working. And she’d disappear up into her bedroom long before bedtime just to avoid spending time with him at night. Oh, she’d asked him to join her for dinner tonight, but that was only because she had her nephew as a buffer.
Everything he’d tried up to this point had failed. He thought again of his call with the realtor. Jared needed to turn up the heat where Jenny was concerned, and Paul had unknowingly given him the