And then there was her mother, who was hanging on his every word.Abby couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her mother blush.
“Oh, you’re too kind,” her mother said.“You came to the best coffeeshop in the state.”
“I didn’t come for the coffee.I have a date with your daughter this morning.”
He didn’t just say that, did he?A date?Really?Her face felt as though a heat gun had been turned on high and aimed directly at her.“That isn’t true.We don’t have a date.”
Once more her mother sent her a curious look before she glanced back at Brad.
“Are you telling me that you aren’t going to give me a tour of the town?”He wore a pouty look before he glanced at his watch.“And it’s precisely ten o’clock just like you said when you set up our date.So are we still going?”
If his intent was to win over her mother, he was doing a good job.But he was doing nothing to win over Abby.If anything, she disliked him a little bit more.No.Correction: a lot more.
Later, her mother would pepper her with questions about Brad.And when Abby denied having any feelings for him, her mother would remind her that she wasn’t getting any younger.And if she wanted to have a family of her own, she needed to think about finding a serious relationship.Ugh!
Abby did want a family, but she wasn’t going to rush into any relationship just because she was getting older.If the right man happened into her life, great.Her gaze landed on Brad.But it’s definitely not him.
Brad stared directly at her, like he was expecting her to answer a question.What question?Her thoughts were utterly muddled.It took a second to recall him asking if she was still going to give him a tour of Bayberry.
She swallowed hard.“A tour of Bayberry does not equate to a date.I’m merely doing Sadie and Reed a favor.Nothing more.”
A half-smile played on his lips.He was enjoying putting her on the spot.“Still—”
“No.”She shook her head.She was over this verbal sparring.“Whatever you’re about to say, just don’t.Otherwise, you can find someone else to give you the tour.”
Her mother smiled.“Well, I’ll just be going.You two have fun around town.”Then she leaned in closer to Brad.“You are going to love this town.It’s the best small town in the whole country.You’ll see.”Then her mother turned a big smile in her direction.“I’ll talk to you later.”
Abby was utterly confused.Hadn’t her mother just warned her about getting involved with an out-of-towner?So, all it took was a little bit of harmless flirting, and she was charmed by Grumpy Pants.Frustration churned in her gut.
She had no doubt that if her mother hadn’t paid her a visit, she would be phoning her to ask more questions about Brad—questions Abby didn’t want to answer.She wished her mother wouldn’t make such a big deal about him.Because he wasn’t a big deal.Not at all.
In fact, Brad was very annoying.The sooner he left Bayberry, the better.
She turned to Mia.“Do you need anything before I go?”
Mia shook her head and then gave her a smile.“Have a good time.”
“I won’t.”She hoped Brad overheard her.She owed him after the way he’d charmed her mother.
Abby walked away.She stepped into her office to take off her apron.She shrugged on her coat and slipped on her boots.When she returned, she looked at Brad.She ignored the amusement in his eyes.She refused to let him see how he got under her skin.
She started for the door.“Let’s go.”
“Aren’t you even going to offer me some coffee?”
When she turned around, she noticed he was still standing at the counter.Was that the beginning of a pout on his face?Ugh!This guy.
She backtracked.“What do you want?”
“I think it would be safer to have her get it for me.”He pointed to Mia.“Could I get a large eggnog latte?”
“Uh…” Mia glanced over at Abby, who nodded.Mia turned back to him.“Just give me a moment.”
Abby stepped up to him.“Are you enjoying yourself?”
He sent her an innocent look.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You didn’t know that you were charming my mother?And now I’m not good enough to get your coffee.”
