“That won’t ever happen.”
“It will if you don’t learn how to relax, have fun and enjoy spending time with people you can trust. If you prefer, I can take time off and fly out and spend time with you in Santa Cruz.”
That was the last thing he wanted. Charm would drive him batty. “I’ll ask Regan about it today.”
“Good. Now about your match from the dating service. Do you want me to reschedule your time with her?”
He inhaled deeply. Maybe her not showing up was an omen. If he was honest with himself, he would admit he preferred meeting women the traditional way. “No. Please cancel my relationship with the service.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am.”
“All right. I’ll notify them to remove you as a client. Enjoy yourself. Love you. Bye.” Charm then clicked off the phone.
“You want me to join you at the château?” Regan asked Garth, speaking into her phone and trying to make sense of what he was saying.
“Yes, my original plans have changed and there’s no need for everything I had set up to go to waste, so I’m asking you.”
Regan could only reach one conclusion. For whatever reason, the woman who was supposed to join him was a no-show, and he was inviting her to be with him instead.
Should Regan be upset that she was being asked by default? First of all, she wasn’t really a default. He wouldn’t expect her to take the woman’s place per se. There was no doubt in her mind that he and the woman would have engaged in an affair. That would not be the case for him and Regan. He was merely being kind by inviting her to enjoy some of the things his date was not there to enjoy. Being in his bed would not be one of them.
Knowing how she felt about Garth, could she share space with him and enjoy his company, just like she would if the invitation had come from Jess, Cash, Sloan or Maverick? Garth was her boss; they weren’t. As the firstborn, Garth had been groomed to take Bart’s place one day, and lately, he hadn’t been as approachable as his siblings.
Since becoming his pilot, she could recognize his moods. Although he always exemplified a kind, caring and thoughtful demeanor toward her, she could tell when he was in a more serious state of mind versus a more relaxed one. She was well aware that his disposition was driven by whatever business deals he had on the table. Lately, she’d seen less of his relaxed mood.
She wanted to see more of it.
“Yes, Garth, I’ll join you at the château. Thanks for asking.”
“I know you wanted to spend a couple of days in LA with your friend. I’ll make sure you still get that time on the back end. While you’re visiting her, there’s a couple of guys I met while stationed there that I can look up. No problem.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t mind. It’s the least I can do to show my gratitude to you for keeping me from getting bored for two weeks. And I recall you mentioning on the flight here that you intended to do some shopping tomorrow. How about if I join you?”
Regan, who’d been about to take a sip of tea, nearly spilled it out of her cup. “You want to go shopping with me?”
“Sure. Why not? It’s not like I’m new to the shopping game. Remember I’m Charm’s oldest brother, and if Charm’s shopping antics haven’t driven me crazy, then I’m sure yours won’t, either.”
“Oh.”
“So when do you want me to pick you up from the hotel?”
“I’ll be packed and ready to leave whatever time you decide.”
“In that case, I’ll be there at ten in the morning, Regan.”
At exactly ten the next day, Regan watched Garth stride into the hotel’s lobby. Her heart skipped and then began to race when he saw her and gave her that Garth Outlaw smile. The one that made her feel all warm inside.
“Good morning, Regan. Are you ready?”
She wasn’t sure if she was. She hadn’t gotten much sleep last night, wondering if spending two weeks with him was a good idea. Being his pilot was temptation enough. But there was no way she could back out now without him questioning the reason she was doing so.
“Yes, Garth, I’m ready.”
“Need help with your luggage?”
“No, I’ve got this,” she said, taking hold of her luggage handle to walk beside him.
“Walker called before I left to come here. Guess what?”
She