“If Doc here gets a-friendly with the lovely Miss Obermacher, it’s going to make some waves for sure,” Cage said, putting up his hands when Doc shot him a what the hell look. “Hey, I’m not saying you shouldn’t. I’m just saying, we need to be prepared to deal with the fallout if you do.”
“It’s not like we haven’t dealt with it before.”
Mad Dog was right. They’d played out similar scenarios, inciting the ire of some locals before. First, when Smoke got involved with Sam. Then when Heff started seeing Sandy, and again with Mad Dog and Kate. Cage had had it easy with Bree, comparatively speaking, since she hadn’t been a Sumneyville resident, but even that had raised a few hackles.
“I’d also like to point out—and I think everyone here would agree—that in each case, it was totally worth it,” Heff said.
The others murmured agreement. That was all fine and good but also completely different from his current situation.
“Don’t you think you’re getting a little ahead of yourselves?” Doc asked. “I walked her out to her car. Big fucking deal.”
“Yeah, but we know that look,” Cage said, grinning. “You like her.”
What wasn’t there to like? She was an attractive, strong, intelligent woman. Not that he was going to tell them that and throw gasoline on the fire. Nor would he dignify their blatant fishing expedition by taking a bite of that bait they were dangling.
“I’m with Mad Dog,” Doc said. “My vote is to move forward with the orchard. Now, anything else? I’ve got shit to do.”
“No, I think that’s it,” Church said. He, like the others, was trying—unsuccessfully—not to smile.
Except Heff, of course. Heff was grinning like the master baiter he was.
Chapter Seven
Tina
“What’s his name?” Lottie Obermacher asked, peering over her spectacles at her granddaughter.
“What’s whose name?” Tina asked. She stopped absently stirring her bowl of hearty beef stew and reached for the buttery rolls.
These late Sunday afternoon dinners with her grandmother had become one of Tina’s favorite times of the week. Not only was Lottie a hoot, but she was also a good source of info.
“The young man who’s got you woolgathering.”
“I’m not woolgathering.”
The old woman snorted. “Don’t you lie to me, young lady. I might be old, but my nose is working just fine, and that manure you’re spreading is pretty pungent right about now.”
“He’s no one, really,” Tina said lightly. “Just a guy I met when I was at Sanctuary today.”
As expected, her grandmother leaned forward in her chair, her eyes clear and sharp. “What were you doing at Sanctuary?”
“Matt Winston wanted my opinion on whether or not the old orchard could be saved.”
“My grandfather started that orchard,” Lottie said, nodding wistfully. “I remember going there with him as a child. I imagine it’s gone to pot since the fire.”
“It was in bad shape,” Tina confirmed. “A few of the apple trees might be salvageable, but mostly, they’ll need to start fresh.”
“So, Matt Winston is the man on your mind?” Lottie mused. “I always did think he was a handsome young buck. Takes after his grandfather. That man inspired some lusty thoughts in many a young girl’s head, let me tell you. Including mine.”
“TMI, Gram.”
“Yes, well, I wasn’t always this old, you know. The body might be weak, but the spirit is still willing, if you know what I mean.”
“Yes, I know,” Tina said, unwilling to wade too deeply into those waters. “To answer your question, no, I wasn’t thinking of Matt, though I will admit, he probably inspires at least as many lusty thoughts as his grandfather did.”
“That’s my girl,” Lottie said approvingly. “But if it wasn’t him, who was it?”
“His name is Cole Watson, but he goes by Doc.”
“Dr. Watson. Cute. Proceed.”
“He’s one of the Sanctuary partners, but he told me he was a medic in the service. I’m guessing he was a Navy SEAL, like Matt.”
“Hmm,” Lottie hummed. “Tell me more.”
“There’s not much to tell. We only spoke for a few minutes.”
“And yet he seems to have made quite an impression on you.”
“He held my coat for me and opened my door.”
“A gentleman then.”
Yes, he is. “He told me he thought running the orchards was impressive.”
“It is, especially for you.”
But Doc didn’t know about that, and if Tina had her way, he never would. It was hard enough dealing with the misogynistic views still held by many in their small community. Sadly, most of the men she knew had trouble accepting the fact that a woman