It took everything in him not to mention the fact that Maverick had a walker that he should be using and that it wasn’t their fault if he neglected to use it. Good thing Betty did it for him.
“Why…what in tarnation are you thinking by hobbling all about the inn without your walker, young man?” the vibrant woman scolded.
“Walking device,” he corrected.
“You’re going to end up right back in bedrest, you are,” Betty continued.
“I hope not,” Maverick said through a groan. With Andie on one side, Trenton propping him up on the other, he shuffled toward the table.
Memphis popped out of his seat as he realized they were headed toward him. “He can sit here,” he announced before moving to sit on the other side of Emmitt. He could feel the heat of Maverick’s ridiculous glare at his back and pled to the heavens for strength to keep his mouth shut.
Thankfully, conversation about the fall festival was enough to keep the group occupied. The excitement between the ladies regarding things like quilt raffles, pie contests, and orchard walks was palpable.
“If we could let the guests tour the apple orchard themselves, they could pick their very own apples as they go,” Ava suggested.
“Totally,” Andie said. “Trenton and I walked through there the other day. The fruit was so fragrant, we could smell it clear across the grounds.”
“Oh, that would be just heavenly,” Betty exclaimed. “And the little ones can hunt for our golden acorns hidden in the leaves along the way. You think kids love an Easter Egg hunt? Wait until you see our autumn version of it. Golden acorns filled with trinkets and candy corn.”
Memphis wouldn’t mind taking Lucas and Ty on the acorn hunt. Afterward, he and Ty could walk through the orchard. He could already picture it—holding her silky hand, walking among the rich, green leaves and bright red fruit. Ty was the exact type of woman who would really indulge in a pleasure like that. They’d pause, he’d glide his fingers through hers, and she’d lock eyes with him. He’d come in for a kiss, soft at first…
“Can we talk about the fact that Memphis is dating one of the employees here?”
All eyes at the roundtable landed on Memphis.
Maverick’s uncouth question was like screeching brakes on a racetrack. Too bad it didn’t activate the brakes in Memphis. That sneaky comment was a lead foot on a gas pedal, and there’d be no stopping him from letting loose.
“I think we shouldactuallytalk about the fact that Maverick is harassing our new masseuse by hitting on her while she’s on the job. I know hethinkshe’s just hitting on one hot chick after the next but what he’s really doing is flirting with a sexual harassment suit. As if we need any attention like that brought to the inn.”
“Youwent to her house for dinner last night,” Maverick hissed. “And you didn’t even tell us.”
“You did?” came Andie, sounding surprised.
“Right on, man,” Emmitt said with the nudge of his arm. “She’s hot.”
“Didn’t you hear that I just had a picnic with her?” Maverick asked.
“Well, which one is it, Maverick?” Richard asked. “Is Memphis dating her or are you?”
“Bothof us are.” Maverick’s response spilled out a split second before Memphis’s comment sounded.
“Neitherof us.”
The table went quiet. Memphis squirmed under his siblings’ appraisal and shook his head. “My interaction with Ty has been completely kosher. She needed a ride, I gave her one.”
“Twice,”Maverick spat.
“She needed a new battery, I replaced it.”
“Sweet, man,” Emmitt said.
“She invited me for dinner as a way to thank me. End of story.”
“You didn’t tellusyou were going,” Maverick said. “Did you make out with her?”
Memphis filled his chest with air and shook his head in disgust. He saw similar head shakes around the table. Memphis was glad he could always count on his twin to shoot himself in the foot.
“She has a son,” Andie said in response to Maverick’s last question.
