“Now if only I could get your sister to get off her skinny ass anddo some work.”
Glancing across the room, she saw Charlotte looking bored as she chatted with some socialite and herson. Poor girl.
“Encourage her to follow her interests instead ofthe business.”
“Who knows what her interests even are. She’s taken all these classes on so many different things. She hasn’t actually decided on a major yet. She’d be happy sitting around playing with puppies and kittens all day longif we let her.”
Charlotte did have a way with animals. “I can have a talk with her, Dad. But in the end she has to decide where to go.”
“I’m glad she has someone there for her. And remember that I’m here for you any time you need me.For anything.”
Hugging her dad, she scanned the room. Her mother would want her making the rounds, talking to all the important people. The only person she had any interest in smelled like sawdust and wore work pants better than anyone she knew.
* * * *
“You got something going on with that new partner of yours? She keeps glancing over here like you might disappear.” Drew Thayer tilted his head in Heather’s direction then lookedback at Scott.
“She probably wants to make sure I’m behaving and not embarrassing her. You know those stuck-up socialites, ever so proper.”
His Army buddy narrowed his eyes and laughed. “I met her at Jack and Callie’s wedding. She hardly seemed like the stuck-up type. I thought you were okay working with her.”
“Yeah, she’s been fine, I guess. Wouldn’t be my first choice for partners though. She’s quite bullheaded at times.”
A smirk lit Drew’s face. “Cause you’re so easygoing. Remember the time you had to fly in to get some of the guys after their jeepmalfunctioned?”
“Damn insurgents.”
“Once the Captain realized it was a trap and you’d all be blown to bits, he ordered you to retreat.”
Scott stared at his friend, his jaw clenching at the memory. “I couldn’t leave them there. They would have been dead in no time.”
“Good thing Nick’s as stubborn as you and decided to go along as your gunner.”
“Yeah, that man’s got an aim better than anyone I know. Took out half of the enemy so I could concentrate on flying in to scoop our guys up.”
“Now that’s bullheaded.”
“Enough,” Scott snapped, his eyes crossing the room. “Here she comes. I don’t need her hearing old war stories.”
He turned and smiled. “Hey, Heather, what was the conclusion? Did I pass muster with your father or is he planning to buy me out of my share?”
Her eyes bore into him. “Surprisingly, he likes you. Not sure how you managed that, but it’s a good thing. You don’t want to be on my dad’s bad side.”
“Been there too often, have we?” he teased, then saw her expression falter so he stepped nearer and took her elbow. “Have you met my friend, Andrew Thayer? He was at Jack and Callie’s wedding.”
Heather shook Drew’s hand and nodded. “Of course, I remember him. There were only about twenty people attheir wedding.”
“I just meant being the maid of honor might have kept you busy doing important things, not socializing.”
“Howare you, Drew?”
As they exchanged pleasantries, Scott gazed around the large room, noting the crowd who’d come for the event. Not exactly his standard company but Heather seemed to fit right in. Her silky dress had his blood heating up as he imagined slipping the loose top down her arms then having her shimmy out of the snugger skirt.Down boy. Don’t embarrass yourself.
“I’ll see you at Chris and Meg’s wedding next weekend, right?” Drew was asking as Scott turned his attention back to the conversation.
“I’ll be there. Do you know how big it is? Are they going all out or something simple like Jack’s?”
“Last I spoke with Chris, it seemed like it was bigger than he wanted, but he said Meg’s parents can’t afford much. Are you bringing anyone? I got a ‘and guest’ onmy invitation.”
