Chapter Sixteen
“Don’t you think you were rough on Maggie?” Susan asked. “We’re friends. We should support each other.”
“But she’s seeing a married man,” Christina said. “People will get hurt, especially if he has children. Surely Maggie knows that?”
“Yeah, but are we sure Maggie and Connor aren’t together? They’ve both been disappearing a lot during the last month.”
“Greg told us to try Connor. Maybe we should ask Greg if he knows what’s going on.”
Susan shook her head. “I’m not asking Greg. I never liked the man when Maggie was going out with him. You ask him.”
Christina laughed and wrinkled her nose. “Ah-ah! Not me. We’re a pair of yellow-livered cowards.”
“Speak for yourself.” Susan tossed her head and sprang toward a vacant table, sliding into the seat seconds before two men.
“Coffee or tea or a cold drink?” Christina asked.
“I feel like a ginger beer.”
“Is there just the two of you?” the man asked. “Would you mind if we shared?” He was tall, dark and had a dimple when he smiled.
Never one to let a chance pass by, Susan returned his smile. “Sure. Grab a seat.”
His blond friend returned and grinned at Susan. “Thanks for sharing with us. It’s busy in here.” He slipped his arm around his friend’s waist as he spoke, and the dimpled cutie leaned into him. Gay.
Susan almost groaned aloud. It was true. All the good men were married or gay. Even if she made it through the initial rounds of theFarmer Seeks a Wifecompetition, there was no guarantee the men would meet her expectations. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?” she asked the men.
“Sure.” The man with the dimple ripped open a pack of sugar and stirred it into his coffee, knocking the teaspoon against the edge of the thick white china cup before he put it aside.
“Where do I find a man?”
“You’re asking us?” Blondie’s blue eyes narrowed as if he thought Susan was playing a game at his expense.
Christina arrived in time to hear Susan’s question. “We’re asking everyone,” she said. “Good men are hard to find. You both look happy. Where did you meet?”
“We went to school together,” Blondie said.
“We’re doomed,” Christina said in a dramatic voice. “No hope for us at all.”
“That guy’s checking you out,” Dimples said.
Connor. Susan frowned, wondering if Maggie was right and they were overreacting.
“That’s our friend, Connor,” Christina said, waving. “We’re here to visit one of our other friends.”
Connor strode over to them, ignoring the women who stared after him. Dressed in jeans faded in interesting places and a tight shirt, with dark hair and dazzling blue eyes, the man was a major hottie. It hadn’t gone to his head. Susan had always liked that about Connor.
“Where’s Maggie?” he asked, glancing around the crowded canteen.
“She went home. Said she’d see us all at work tomorrow.”
“I thought she’d want a ride home,” Connor said, frowning. “Julia was upset, and the nurse gave her something to help her sleep. I might go home too.” He lifted a hand and turned for the door. “See you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Connor,” Susan said.
“See you tomorrow,” Christina said.
“What’s wrong with him?” Dimples asked. “He looks straight.”
