“I’m excited, too. Luis has broad shoulders, but he’s only human. He’s the only one training rescued horses for adoption now that Spence is gone and it’s too much for one person.”
“It’s not that bad, tia.”
“It’s just like you to say so, but you’re desperately in need of a vacation. This break you’re supposed to have over the Fourth isn’t really time off since you took charge of the parade yesterday and you’ll be on deck for tomorrow’s H&H tour. All work and no play makes Luis a dull boy.”
He chuckled. “You’re exaggerating and you know it. Besides, I love what I do.”
“I’m sure Jordan loves what she does, too. But clearly she values taking time out for having fun.” She added a sly wink to that zinger. “Jordan, tell this guy it’s okay to kick over the traces now and then.”
Still blushing from the implications of that wink, she scrambled for an answer. “I’m the wrong person to give advice on that score. This weekend is my first one off in years. I’m either running a clinic or on the road to the next one. On non-driving or non-clinic days I give private lessons.”
“Oh, dear. I had no idea, honey.” She heaved a sigh. “Looks like you’re two peas in a workaholic pod. I’ve a mind to get both of you non-refundable tickets to the Bahamas. But I promised I wouldn’t interfere, so?—”
Adam’s voice came over the speakers mounted on either side of the steps. “Good morning, Mustang Valley residents and welcome visitors!” He’d ducked under the ribbon and taken a position a step below the McLintock clan. In addition to the mic, he held a gigantic pair of scissors.
He introduced himself and his fellow council members with a casual, irreverent style that had everyone laughing. Then his tone changed.
“This is a momentous day for all of us — the town, the council, and my family. My dad, Spence Bridger, dreamed of transforming his grandparents’ home into something the whole town could enjoy. He also loved books, especially ones by M.R. Morrison. I wish—” His voice caught, and he paused to clear his throat.
“I wish he could be here to see this. Thanks to enthusiastic support from his favorite author and members of her family, specifically Lucky, the CEO of L’Amour and More, and Angie, whose crew handled the renovation, my dad’s dream has come true. Welcome to L’Amour and More, the town’s first bookshop!”
As the crowd clapped and cheered, Jordan swallowed past the emotion clogging her throat. Then she leaned close to Luis. “He’s great at this.”
He smiled. “Yeah. He is.”
Adam gestured to the folks behind him. “As you can see, the McLintocks turned out in force for this event, which wouldn’t be happening without their wholehearted participation. Let’s give them a hand.”
During the crowd’s enthusiastic response, Jordan studied the folks on the steps. Desiree’s daughter-in-law Oksana would also be signing today. Desiree had mentioned her a couple of times in her newsletter. But from this distance it was hard to say which dark-haired woman matched the publicity shot on the poster.
“I’ve asked Desiree to handle the ribbon-cutting honors,” Adam continued. “After that, give us ten minutes for setup. We have a triple-threat autograph party for you — M.R. Morrison’s newest NYT bestseller, The Wayward Rider, Rance McLintock’s debut novel, Tequila Shots in the Dark, and Oksana Jones’s second book in her bestselling series for tweens, Odette Bidelspach Kisses a Boy. Desiree, careful with these scissors. They scare the hell out of me.”
Amid more applause and laughter, Desiree wielded the scissors, which turned out to be dull. Folks offered advice as she hacked her way through the ribbon. The pep band played the theme song from Jeopardy and a few people held up pocketknives in case she wanted to switch instruments.
When she finally cut through the last inch, everyone cheered and the pep band struck up the theme from Rocky.
“Ten minutes, folks!” Adam called out as he retrieved the scissors. Then he ushered Desiree and most of the McLintock family into the house.
But not all. Kieran and his granny came down the steps, their attention focused on the spot where Jordan stood. She quickly figured out they weren’t targeting her.
They were headed straight for Kat, who turned and beckoned to Carmen, Ezzie and Doris. “Get over here! She’s coming to meet the Damsels!”
“Hot damn!” Rio hurried over from the other direction. “I want in on this.”
Jordan laughed. “Who wouldn’t?” She glanced at Luis. “This family is a riot.”
He gazed at her, the light in his brown eyes soft, his smile tender.
She forgot to breathe. How had she not seen this coming? But she had. She’d just chosen to ignore the signs. Now she had to face the truth.
He was in love with her. And that was bad. Very bad.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Big surprise, Jordan had fallen in love with the Bridger Bunch. Luis would have preferred that she’d fallen in love with him, but he’d take whatever advantage he could get.
If she’d bonded with his family, she’d have a tough time riding off into the sunset. Even if she did that on Monday morning, she’d come back. That gave him more hope than he’d had before.
It did seem like Fate that Adam’s bookstore project had helped bring her here for the weekend. That gave her more reason to love the Bridger Bunch. They had an in with her favorite author.
