“Then let’s do it.” Adam glanced at Angie. “That shouldn’t be expensive but the tunnel will be. Just let me know how much you need to adjust your estimate.”
Kendall lit up. “Tunnel? We’re gonna make a tunnel?”
“Adam has a plan.” Angie smiled at him. “And I have a sneaky suspicion more are on the way.”
“Bring ’em on, Adam.” Kendall gave him two thumbs up. “I see Dallas and me taking family trips over here. The next generation of McLintocks will be wild about this bookshop.”
“I believe you. I’m counting on plenty of folks being wild about it. No promises, but from what the state rep said at the council meeting last night, there’s a slight chance the shortcut road will be done sometime this summer.”
“I hope it is for your sake,” Kendall said, “but now that I’m used to going up and around Missoula, I don’t mind it. If I can bring Jodi over to a bookshop with a tunnel and a stage, I’ll make the drive.”
“It’ll be grand for the wee ones,” Kieran said. “And for the mums and dads, too. My granny says she’ll come even if riding in the truck makes her throw up.”
“Will it?” He’d been looking forward to meeting Kieran’s granny after hearing all the stories about her.
“She gets carsick somethin’ terrible.”
“Could she take Dramamine?”
“Doesn’t work, but she’s that determined that she’s willin’ ta sit in the back seat with a bucket.”
“Okay then. Good luck with that.” He looked over at Tracy. “Ready for lunch?”
When they all cracked up, it took him a minute. “Oh. Sorry, bad timing.”
“Perfect timing, mate.” Kieran patted him on the shoulder. “Ya remind me of m’self, always stickin’ my foot in it, I am.”
“To answer your question.” Tracy’s blue eyes twinkled. “I’m ready for lunch.”
“Then let’s go before I make an even bigger idiot of myself. See you three out at the ranch tonight. Mom’s looking forward to having you.”
“It’s a treat for us, too,” Angie said. “This may turn out to be my all-time favorite gig. The project’s exciting and we get first-class room and board when we stay over. See you tonight.”
“It was great meeting you all,” Tracy said. “I’ll get Adam to describe the tunnel over lunch. That’s news to me and I’m intrigued.”
“You’re welcome to come check out the progress anytime,” Angie said. “The more people who come see what we’re doing, the more buzz for the grand opening.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She made eye contact with Adam. “Lead the way, Mayor Bridger.”
The teasing way she’d said it fit perfectly with the story that they were old friends. She’d done a great job telegraphing that they were just chums. Him, not so much. Angie probably had his number but Tracy had given nothing away. Maybe she’d successfully put a lid on her craving for him.
But he wasn’t into guessing games. He’d flat-out ask her during lunch. With so many people around, he’d have no trouble keeping his pesky libido in check.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“I’ll drive us into town and then bring you back.” In the interests of time, Tracy had decided to drive her truck over instead of taking the long walk out to the edge of town. She’d parked behind him.
“Or vice versa.” Adam got out his keys. “My truck’s first in line.”
“There’s room for me to drive around you. Besides, I washed and vacuumed mine last weekend and I want to show her off.”
“Then you win. I washed mine last weekend, too, but you’d never know it. It’s a wonder you agreed to ride with me last night.”
“Beggers can’t be choosers.”
“I’m kidding. You couldn’t tell it was dirty. Too dark.”
“I can barely tell in the daylight. That silver is forgiving. Bluebell shows every tiny speck of dirt.”
