Page 14 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
“Honey.” Gigi set down her wine and went back to Jess’s side, tipping up her chin so her long brunette hair fell down her back. When Jess pressed a kiss to her freckled nose, I felt a twinge of jealously. It wouldn’t be the last time that happened tonight.
It wasn’t an evil kind of jealousy, just one that stemmed from loneliness. I’d be the only single adult at dinner tonight. My friends had all found amazing men to share their lives with and I’d be sur
rounded by happy couples all evening.
Beautiful women, adored by tall, strong and handsome men.
Though none of the men were as gorgeous as Hunter.
It had been two days since I’d seen him by the vending machine. Two days and I still couldn’t get his image out of my head. It was crystal clear. I was actually grateful for the two-day reprieve. I’d been using that time to get over my embarrassment for turning into a blubbering teenager when we’d met. The next time I saw him, I was determined to come across like a normal woman.
Which would be a lot easier as of next week. My part-time summer housekeeper was starting next week and I was assigning her to Hunter’s room. It would be much easier to keep my cool the next time I saw him if I wasn’t changing his bed sheets every other day, wondering if he slept naked.
“Hey, are you feeling all right?” Gigi asked. “You look flushed.”
I looked up from the counter and smiled. “Just stressed about my to-do list,” I lied. Normally, Gigi would be the first I’d tell about sexy motel guests, but something about Hunter felt different. I wanted to keep him to myself, just for a while.
“Anything we can do to help?”
“No, I’ll get it all done. Thanks, though.”
“Coby should have a sleepover with Ben tonight,” she said. “You can drink some wine, let loose for a change. If you get tipsy, Jess can drive you home. Then tomorrow you could sleep in.”
Coby was an early riser and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept past six. Mornings had become our special time together since the evenings were always so packed with activity. But a lazy morning? Total freaking heaven. “You really wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not. We’d love to have him.”
“We still owe you for watching all the kids for our anniversary,” Jess said.
I did a happy clap. “Thanks, you guys! I could use a recharge before busy season.”
“Any time.” Gigi slid a full wineglass across the counter. “Cheers!”
“Woo-hoo! Cheers!” I took a healthy sip and then got started on my guacamole.
Two hours later, the kitchen was full of women drinking wine, the kids were chasing each other all over the farmhouse, and the men were congregated around the barbeque outside, drinking beer and grilling meat.
“What are you two whispering about?” Emmeline asked Sara and Gigi.
When their eyes landed on me, I knew I was in trouble.
“Oh, just an idea,” Sara said, brushing her strawberry-blond bangs to the side.
“Oh, no.” I’d seen this look before. These two were going to try and set me up on a blind date.
Again.
“Will you give her more wine?” Gigi asked Felicity.
I held out my glass, knowing I’d need every drop she poured to resist this assault. My friends had set me up with every eligible bachelor in the Jamison Valley. I’d learned that they were all eligible because they were all duds.
Emmeline was a kindergarten teacher at the school and had once arranged for me to have dinner with the music teacher. That guy picked his nose at dinner and ate his score as an appetizer.
Felicity was a real estate agent so any single man moving to Prescott not only had her help in purchasing a home, they also had her help in getting a date. The guy from Boise talked about his two cats during our entire meal, the guy from Casper stared at my breasts all night, and the guy from North Dakota only fucked brunettes—his exact words—but he’d promised to make an exception for me.
The only reason Sabrina hadn’t tried to set me up yet was because she was new to Prescott and was currently consumed with planning her and Beau’s wedding.
“So there’s this new doctor at the hospital,” Gigi started.
