“I’m not sure. I’ll call you in the morning.”
Jenny must have heard something in his voice. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but the elevator door opened, and he walked out into his entry.
Jenny followed him out, rested a hand on his cheek, leaned up, and kissed him. “Drive safely.” Stepping back inside the carriage, she hit the button and closed the door.
Cain took a deep breath, missing her already. Chiding himself, he headed into his bedroom to change out of his jeans into a sport coat and dress pants. His feelings for Jenny were growing. They were interfering with his work. Jenny was becoming an obsession he couldn’t afford.
He wasn’t coming back tomorrow, he decided, or the rest of the week. It was past time he slowed things down, gave himself a chance to think.
He would come back for the party. By then, maybe he’d have his head on straight.
Maybe.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
SATURDAY NIGHT AT THECOPPERSTAR WAS A LITTLE MORE RAUCOUSthan usual. A group was in town for an outdoor wedding the next day at the Surgeon’s House, a popular venue. Many of the guests were staying at the Star, some at the Clinkscale or B&Bs in the area. The groom’s bachelor party was being held in the saloon, a rowdy group of young guys doing tequila shooters and having fun. So far, they hadn’t done any damage.
Summer dropped by early in the evening, excited to talk about her lunch with Dylan and their upcoming date for the grand-opening party.
“Your brother is amazing.” Summer fanned herself and grinned. “He is just soo sexy. Plus he’s smart, and he has a great sense of humor. I haven’t laughed so much in . . . maybe never.”
“He was like that when we were kids. After the breakup with his ex, he changed, became a lot more serious.”
“He didn’t say anything about her. If you hadn’t told me, I never would have known.”
“The engagement didn’t last long. She wore the ring about three weeks before Dylan found out she was cheating on him while he was on duty.”
“Fidelity in a relationship is crucial,” Summer said. “I would never cheat on someone. It isn’t fair to either party. I think Dylan feels the same.”
Jenny thought of Cain. He had called after his dinner meeting to tell her wouldn’t be back tomorrow. He’d be busy till the end of the week, but he promised to be back in time for the party.
“You don’t think Cain would cheat, do you?” Summer asked, guessing the reason for her sudden quiet.
“His word is important to him. I don’t think he would break it by cheating. More likely, he would simply end our relationship—if that’s what it actually is.”
Cain owned a huge corporation. He worked hard to make it successful. It was a miracle he’d been able to spend as much time in Jerome as he had. But she couldn’t help thinking of Anna Hobbs and that Anna lived in Scottsdale. Anna wanted Cain, and the beautiful blonde was definitely a temptation.
“So Cain gave you his word he wouldn’t cheat?”
“More like we made a mutual agreement to be monogamous as long as we’re together.”
“Well, I guess that’s something.”
“I guess.” Only time would tell how long the relationship would last.
“But he’s coming back for the party, right? You’re his date for the evening?”
“That’s the idea.”
Summer grinned. “It’s a formal affair. We need to go shopping. Tomorrow’s Sunday. You’re off, right? We’ll drive down to Prescott. Lots of stores are open on Sunday in Prescott. We’ll go to Dillard’s. Oh, and I know this little boutique right next to the Palace Saloon on Whiskey Row. They have amazing clothes in there.”
She did need something to wear. She wanted to look good for Cain. This was a special night for him, the opening of the hotel he’d worked on so hard. She wanted him to be proud to have her with him.
“Sunday works for me. It’ll be late when we close tonight. Ten o’clock okay?”
“Ten o’clock is perfect.” Summer rose from the table. “I’ll meet you in the lobby in the morning.”
Jenny kept the bar open until midnight, when the last few stragglers wandered out. Barb had worked the day shift and had already gone home. Jenny bartended through the evening; then she and Molly closed up. Molly headed home, and Jenny went upstairs.
