Chapter Eight
With Christina’s help, Susan had taken a range of sexy pictures with her cell phone. While she was waiting at the domestic air terminal for the flight to Napier, the nearest city to Clare, she picked one at random—a shot of her legs clad in black stockings—added a text message and sent it to Tyler.
Her phone beeped almost immediately.
U expt me 2 concentr8 on cattle when my thohts r on yr sexy legs?
Quick texter.She grinned as their flight was announced. She switched off her phone and followed Jasmine, Lucy and the other passengers onto the plane.
Almost an hour later, nerves danced like marionettes in the pit of her belly, and the anxiety had nothing to do with the plane landing. She wanted to see Tyler so badly, feel his arms wrap around her, but with a cameraman trailing her, arranging a meeting would be tricky.
“I’m so nervous.” Jasmine’s oval face was pale, her blusher standing out in a curving sweep across her cheekbones. Her honey blonde hair lay in casual curls, framing and highlighting her neat features.
Jasmine’s insecurities spread like rumors, and the beginnings of panic stirred in Susan. When she realized her stupidity, she almost laughed aloud. No need for her to worry. She didn’t want Nolan. It was his younger brother she wanted to impress. “You’ll be fine. Think of this as a holiday. Even if things don’t work out with Nolan, this is a change from routine. An adventure, right?”
“I don’t understand you,” Lucy said. “You don’t seem to care. You say the most outrageous things in front of the camera and everyone loves you.”
Susan bit her bottom lip. She didn’t mean to release the brake on her tongue. There was something about Nolan that pushed her buttons and led her into freefall. Luckily, Tyler thought she was funny. He said his in-laws loved her, and the public seemed to like her too. Her blog and forum were popular. Even Jennifer had sent her an email of congratulations and approval. It seemed her notoriety was doing good things for the ratings.
“How about if we tell Nolan to share the naughty questions around?” Susan asked. “I’d be happy. Blushing and freckles is not a good combination.”
Lucy muttered something under her breath. The seat belt sign went out, and Lucy stood abruptly, her blonde ponytail swishing at the surge of motion as she jerked her hand luggage from the overhead locker.
“I really am sorry,” Susan said to Jasmine. “I don’t mean to hog the limelight.”
“Don’t be silly,” Jasmine said. “This is a competition and only one of us can win. I intend to grab every advantage and you should too. Every woman for herself.”
Susan grinned, but traces of guilt crept into her mind. Little did Jasmine know, but it was a two-woman race. Even if things didn’t work out with Tyler, she couldn’t see herself settling with Nolan. They were too different, and Nolan was right. Now that she’d discovered dancing, she couldn’t imagine herself leaving the city. She snorted inwardly. It had taken a reality show to make her see she belonged in the city.
Susan collected her bag with the others. Before she’d left, she’d gone to the art store and purchased the box of pastels she’d seen Tyler drool over plus a selection of water color paints, charcoal and a couple of small sketchpads. She figured he’d use the supplies eventually and it was something he’d really enjoy. She’d also included a soft toy—an owl that Julia said her son loved.
“There’s Nolan,” Lucy said and was off like a show horse, her blonde ponytail waving behind like a flag.
“What did I say?” Jasmine asked.
“Every woman for herself,” Susan said with a grin.
They watched Lucy throw her arms around Nolan and give him a big kiss. The cameraman followed Lucy, filming her exuberant hello.
Susan trailed Jasmine and gave Nolan a quick hug. No kissing for her, thank you very much.
“Nolan, we don’t have much time,” a woman said from behind them.
Nolan nodded. “This is my mother.” He introduced each of the girls by name and they received a chilly nod from his mother. Susan found amusement bubbling to the surface and flashed a grin at the woman. Tyler had told her about his mother and her sternness, the way she’d rejected him when his girlfriend had become pregnant. Even after they’d married, she remained distant. Tyler said he didn’t see her and that his father would pop by to see Katey occasionally, but he never took his daughter to visit the house where he’d grown up. Suddenly Susan was glad she’d received a wakeup call after Maggie and Connor started dating. She never wanted to turn into this woman with her tight held emotions, her mask of disapproval permanently etched into her face.
“Hello,” Susan said, and the woman’s harsh features didn’t budge. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
Nolan cleared his throat, attracting Susan’s attention. “The local school is having a gala day. I’m helping out with the pony rides. Mum has organized you all to help out on stalls.”
“Sounds like fun,” Susan said.
Jasmine and Lucy added their agreement, and they left the airport terminal. “I can only fit two in my truck,” Nolan said, after surveying the luggage.
“One of you will travel with me,” Nolan’s mother said.
“I’ll go with you,” Susan said. “I’d love to hear more about the gala day and the town of Clare.”
Nolan sent her a grateful look, and as she’d suspected, the other two girls didn’t offer an argument.
