Granny had said she’d work on it, or rather she and Lani would work on it. The image of those two plotting a tryst made him smile.
His cherubic-looking octogenarian roommate was a natural. She might be more devious than he was. Not Lani, though, and that was fine. Preferable, even. Except for this circumstance.
Maybe a day spent with Granny might bring out her wily side. He could only hope, because he had zip.
As he made the turn onto his property, happiness flooded his system. Lights from the thirty-footer shone through the trees and soon the lights on his front porch greeted him, along with the glow from the windows.
Until Granny’s arrival, he’d always come home to an empty cabin. Tonight that cabin held two people who made his heart sing. His head knew that was a temporary situation but his heart wouldn’t listen.
The faint sound of laughter penetrated the cabin walls as he climbed the steps, two manuscripts in his hands. He wasn’t surprised that people he loved would enjoy each other. But the evidence warmed him inside and out.
He opened the door to the delicious aroma of baked pound cake and the cheerful sight of both ladies engrossed in a game of pool. He laid the manuscripts on the small table by the door.
Granny gave him a thumbs up but Lani remained focused, sighting down the length of the cue with a mutteredbe with you in a minute.
He understood. Once you were lined up, you needed to hold that position and take the shot. Hooking his Stetson on the rack next to the table, he hung up his coat and hat and started toward the hallway.
Granny let out a gasp. “Jaysus! Are ya bleedin, boyo?”
Lani’s head snapped up and her eyes widened in alarm. “Rance! What?—”
“It’s grenadine. Clint and I were tearing around trying to fill orders and bumped into each other. This happened. I have to change, but then I’ll be ready to go if you two are.”
“We were just waiting for you.” Lani’s gaze sparkled with awareness, the pool shot evidently forgotten. “That stuff looks sticky. Did it soak through?”
“Some. I’ll need to wash up a bit. Then I’ll be ready to go.” Innocent conversation. Loaded with innuendo. She wanted to help him with that task. He could see it in her eyes. And Lord, did he want her to. Forcing himself to look away, he started toward the hallway. “Those manuscripts on the table are for you two.”
“Thanks, lad,” Granny called after him. “Rinse out yer shirt. Might stain if ya don’t.”
“I’ll leave it to soak.” He lengthened his stride, escaping the heat before it engulfed him. One searing glance from Lani and he was ready to rumble. How in hell would he make it through this party without dragging her into one of the bedrooms only steps from Rowdy Roost?
He sponged off his chest, filled his bathroom sink with water and left the shirt in it. A peek in the mirror confirmed that he had five o’clock shadow going on, but shaving would hold up the program and he might not be kissing Lani, anyway. What a depressing thought.
Pulling out his favorite green plaid shirt, he put it on and quickly buttoned it. Would Lani be the one unfastening those buttons? The image threatened to give him a woody.
Deep breath. Think of how eager your family is to toast your accomplishment and offer support for the impending arrival of Irving Quick.
He didn’t want to think about his damned father, but it did a great job of cooling his jets. Tucking in his shirt, he buckled his belt, ran a comb through his hair and walked into the living room. “Let’s do this.”
Granny smiled. “Ya wore m’favorite.”
“Mine, too.” He glanced at the table. The manuscripts were gone. Lani held hers and the other had disappeared, probably into Granny’s bedroom. “Did you have time to finish the game?” Everything was back in place, cues in the rack, balls in the pockets.
“We weren’t actually playing,” Lani said. “Granny was giving me some pointers. I like pool but I still have a lot to learn.”
“You can come practice anytime.” She was welcome to his pool table, his cabin, his bed, his body — whatever took her fancy.
“Thanks. We’ll see how it goes.”
Perfect opening. “Did you two come up with any ideas for… tonight?”
“Nothin’ grand, that’s fer sure,” Granny said.
“Semi-grand?”
“Not really.” Lani shrugged. “They all depend on things we can’t control. How about you?”
He shook his head. “Strategy is supposed to be my superpower, but I’m tapped out. Unless I just announce you’re coming home with me….” He checked Lani’s expression. Not encouraging.
