“So.” Maverick shrugged. “Did you stay after the kid went to bed?”
“That’s none of your business,” Richard snapped.
Memphis wasn’t sure if the rest of them expected a response or not. If he admitted that he stayed past that point, Maverick would ask if he kissed her goodnight. If he admitted that he hadn’t, Maverick might use the info as encouragement to pursue Ty himself.
Richard turned his gaze on Maverick next. “Are you approaching Ty while she’s working?”
Maverick shrugged. “No.”
“Then where and when did you approach her about this picnic lunch today?” Richard pressed.
“At the spa.”
“Maverick!” Andie blurted. “We talked about this.”
But Maverick already had his hands up. “She was about to go to lunch. I brought some for her as a surprise. No big deal. The only thing that made it awkward was that her parents showed up.”
“Her parents?” Ava and Emmitt said in unison.
“They’re from Boston,” Memphis filled in. “They came for a surprise visit and they’re staying here. She’s giving her mother a massage as we speak.”
“Oh,” Betty said. “I wonder if it’s the older couple that got into a room as fill-ins. We had a cancelation come up right in time. The woman seems very…particular, bless her heart.”
If that was as kind as Betty could put it, Memphis knew the woman must have given her hades.
“Here’s what I say…” Andie said loudly, gaining the groups’ attention at once. “Neither of you guys make a move on her,especiallywhile her parents are visiting. Until we know whether this attention is wanted or unwanted, no one should be making any moves.”
“But what ifshemakes the move?” Maverick had the nerve to ask. Man, he really thought he was irresistible.
“IfTyinitiates it, then fine. That answers the whole wanted-versus-unwanted dilemma right there.”
Memphis nodded as a bout of confidence filled his chest.
“If you think I’m letting another woman slip from my grip and into my brother’s arms, you’re wrong.”
“She was neverinyour grip,” Richard hissed.
“Yeah,” Memphis couldn’t help but add. “And Ty’s not in your grip either. So far, she’s pursued one of us, and it’s not you.”
“Whoa, ho ho,” Emmitt crowed with a laugh. “We’ve got ourselves a dogfight, boys.”
“No,” Andie said. “We certainly do not.”
“Get ready for some disappointment, little brother,” Maverick said while rubbing his hands together. “I’m not on bedrest anymore. Which means I’ll be stealing the hearts around here.”
A dart of anger flew deep into Memphis’s chest. Jaw clenched, nostrils flared, he prepared to put his twin in his place, but Betty beat him to it.
“Listen,” the woman said, her southern tone a combination of stern and sweet. “A lady’s heart is a treasure better earned than stolen. If she truly belongs to either one of you, where the fates are concerned, she probably already knows it. Letherdictate the who, where, and whens for now. You’ll likely have your answer soon.”
“You’re right.” Memphis nodded as he considered what Betty said.
“Whateverthatmeans,” Maverick mumbled.
“Last thing on the list,” Andie said. “Emmitt, how’s the pilot license coming along for the helicopter tour? Can we let guests start booking the tours in December?”
Emmitt cracked his knuckles. “Yes. I can’t wait.”
“It’ll be a great addition to the inn,” Trenton agreed.
