“A unicorn? You can’t come up with something a little more manly?”
“Hey, they’re majestic creatures.” She gave him a quick, soft kiss. Mostly because she could. “It’s a compliment, so just take it, okay?”
“Okay.” He kissed her this time, not so softly. Not so quick. When he pulled back, she was dizzy in the best way. “I more than notice you, Sadie Evans. I think about you. All the time. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but once I started to fall for you, there was nothing I could do to stop it. It’s too late for you not to break my heart, so I really hope you don’t.”
“That’s the last thing I plan to do, Conner.”
“Good. Because you hold it in the palm of your hands.”
Be still her beating heart. Her bones melted at his words, sealed with another toe-curling kiss. Would they even get to fishing tonight? She didn’t care if they did. She snaked a hand around his neck to pull him closer and sank into his deepening kiss. If she wasn’t in love with Conner before, she certainly was now.
13
CONNER
“I already regret this,”Marc grumbled as he stood in the huddle of Sunset Ridge’s bachelors awaiting their briefing. He folded his arms over his chest to emphasize his grumpiness, as if it weren’t already exuding off him in waves. Conner wasn’t any more thrilled about this whole arrangement, but he kept that to himself.
“It’s for charity,” he offered instead.
“I could just write a check. Or volunteer more hours.” Marc looked over at him. “You any good with power tools? We could bail on this right now and head to the shelter to start those renovations ourselves. How’sthatfor charity work?”
A loud, piercing whistle ended their conversation and drew everyone’s attention to the woman standing on a metal chair to the side of the stage. Conner recognized Dani as one of the main volunteers who helped run the shelter. She was sweet and motherly to both the animals and volunteers alike. When he told her he signed up for this, she nearly started crying.
Which was the same reaction his mom and sister both had. Except, theyhadcried.
He wanted to tell them about Sadie, but he was saving that special announcement for later. They’d no doubt be so happy to hear he moved on from Veronica and didn’t let her destroy his chance at happiness that they’d start planning his wedding and naming his future children. Before that onslaught happened, Sadie deserved some warning.
But he’d worry about all that after he talked to Marc man-to-man about his intentions. Which was his plan as soon as they were both auctioned off to the highest bidders. Now that Sadie had officially fulfilled her commitment to the clinic, Marc couldn’t hold it over her head. Conner hoped the confession wouldn’t cost him a friendship, but he was too far gone when it came to Sadie. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—turn his back on her now. She didn’t deserve that. If Marc didn’t give them his blessing, Conner could only hope he’d come around down the road.
“We are ever so grateful for each and every one of you,” Dani said, nearly tearing up.
Confirming he wasn’t getting out of this.
Neither was Marc.
One date for charity. How bad could it be?
Though he and Sadie flirted with the idea of her bidding on him last night on the fishing dock where they proceeded not to catch any fish, they both agreed it was best not to drop a bombshell on Marc in front of half the town. Which turned out to bemostof the town thanks to the perfect summer day. Clouds were gathering overhead, but there was no threat of rain, and the temperature was unusually warm for the coast.
He couldn’t help his wandering eyes as they scanned the growing crowd. Dozens of women filed into the rows of folding chairs to take seats. Sadie was easy to spot with her red hair and bold personality. Impossible to miss, really. Which is how he knew she hadn’t made it to this part of the park yet. She promised to take Boomer to the frisbee toss earlier, convinced she could teach the pup a new trick. One that was sure to go viral on Instagram.
He didn’t care if Boomer had one fan or a million. He only cared that the goofy dog brought smiles and laughter to those he encountered. It seemed selfish to keep that joy all to himself.
“Everyone clear?” Dani hollered after she’d read off the simple instructions that in short amounted to: act like a charming bachelor on stage until the bidding closed and keep smiling. Marc would probably have some trouble with that one.
“Jeffrey, you’re up first,” Dani called to the local postmaster. “Get up there and strut your stuff.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gave her a salute before taking the stage. Conner laughed at how the postmaster really seemed to get into it as the bids popped up quickly. He was about their age and in a pair of jeans instead of his usual uniform. Apparently, that combination was deadly with the ladies. They went wild with a bidding war. In only a minute, they were up to four hundred dollars.
Conner caught Marc smiling, but before he could call him out on it, he caught a ghost out of the corner of his eye. Again.
Or at least hethoughtshe was a ghost.
Until the woman with long, wavy dark hair and equally dark eyes took a seat in the third row. She caught him staring and gave him a little wave before starting a conversation with Geraldine Franks beside her. Conner’s stomach plummeted to his toes at the sight of the woman who’d upended his life with her lies. Her despicable actions and heartlessness.
He hadn’t heard from Detective Harlow in a few days. Hadn’t considered calling her to report what he was certain were hallucinations. The thought of her poking around Sunset Ridge and stirring up trouble gave him more than enough reason to leave well enough alone. Veronica hadn’t reached out during her time in town, and that stumped him. Why now? What could she possibly want from him?
“You’re up, man.” Marc nudged Conner. “Good luck.”
