Memphis was about to say no to that idea and suggest they give truth to the old snooze-you-lose theory when Ty chimed out a response.
“That’s a great idea. Memphis,” she said with a nod. “Do you mind?”
Introducing this beauty to his attention-hog of a brother was the last thing he wanted to do. “Not at all,” he said anyway. Memphis was tempted to take the long way, show her around a bit, anything that might help her seehimbefore he became invisible in his brother’s shadow, but he started back the way he came.
“It’s so beautiful out here,” Ty said as she walked alongside. She slowed her pace, lifted her chin in the air, and sucked in a deep breath. She turned a dreamy look on him. “Do you smell that? I can smell the orchard apples all the way from here. And just listen to those birds, chirping happily as they gather food, build nests, and soar across the blue sky.”
A trail of warmth skittered through his chest as he took in the absolute joy on her pretty face. “It’s nice,” he agreed. “My favorite part is the river,” he said. “Maverick and I stayed in a riverside cabin right when we first arrived. I slept with my window open every night so I could sleep to the sound of that rushing water.”
“Oh, I woulddefinitelydo that if I were staying by a river,” Ty said. “You know what I’ve always wanted to do but I’ve never done it?”
Memphis was unable to bite back his smile as he shook his head. She was just so engaging.
“I want to go tubing down the river. It’s like a rite of passage when you’re near the river. But I’ve lived out here the better part of three years and I’ve never once done it.” She gasped then and reached for his arm. “Doyouguys do it? Here at the inn? For like, guests and stuff?”
“No,” Memphis said, “but that would be cool.”
“I know you do horseback rides and that type of thing,” Ty said. “But yeah, you guys should consider offering that too.”
She was right. “Maybe we will.” The gym entrance was a few yards away now, but Memphis slowed down as an idea came to mind.
Memphis stopped walking and turned to face Ty. “You know, aspart owners, we’re all supposed to make some sort of addition to the place. I haven’t added anything just yet. Maybe I could stock up on a bunch of tubes, build a place to store them, and start doing tours here.”
“Wouldyoube the guide?” Ty looked so pleased with that idea that Memphis hated to disappoint.
An image of Emmitt came to mind. He was probably a better candidate. “Maybe,” he said anyway. “But I have a confession for you.” He stepped closer to her and looked over his shoulder.
Ty stepped in too, bringing with her the lovely scent of something sweet. “Let’s hear it.”
A flicker of heat flared low in his belly as she locked those pretty eyes on him. This time he could see hints of the blue sky and colorful, leafy branches reflected in their depths. “I’ve never been tubing either,” he admitted. “Maybe we should go together and see if it’s worth all the fuss.” He gulped, hoping the invitation sounded more casual than contrived.
“That would be fun. Would you mind if I brought my boy?”
His brow furrowed as he tried to dissect her question. Was she asking if she could bring her boyfriend?Perhaps as some snarky way of telling him she was already taken. But she hadn’t added thefriendpart. “Your boy?”
She dropped her gaze and started a slow walk once more. “I have a son,” she said. “I’m a single mom. Divorced mom. Whatever you want to call it. He turned seven at the beginning of the month after school started. His name is Lucas, and he’s hands down the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
This statement stirred at a new warmth, one at the center of his heart. She was a mom. “Of course, he could come.” A vision came to mind. Memphis could see Ty and her son Lucas piling into his truck, a couple of tubes strapped inside the flatbed next to one of Mable’s picnic baskets.
Come on, Memphis, make it a date. Say you’ll take her and her boy tubing this week.
They were almost to the door now. Dread poured over him as he reached for the handle. It was now or never. Ty was just about to meet the biggest and loudest flirt she’d ever encounter. Memphis’s chances at the tubing date would be as good as vapor. His mouth cracked open. His chest and throat went tight. Sweat broke out over his palms.
Ty moved her gaze from his face to the door handle in his grip, a soft, expectant smile on her pretty face.Too soon.It was way too soon. This was her first day of work, for crying out loud. Maverick was sure to flirt enough for them both. Memphis couldn’t very well hit on her too. She may just refuse the job after that kind of onslaught.
With that, Memphis swung open the door, took a step back—both figurative and literal—and motioned for her to step inside.
Emmitt was seated at the leg press, working to straighten his legs against the pressure as the weights lifted high. Maverick sat nudged up to the support bar, mid-way through an arm curl.
“Guys,” Memphis said, gaining their attention. They were going to freak when they saw her. “This is Ty Allen, our new massage therapist.”
Emmitt’s legs buckled. The leg weights slammed back down with a clank.
The weight in Maverick’s hand plunked flat to the bench, pinning his palm beneath it.
Memphis grinned knowingly. “Ty, this is my brother, Emmitt, and my twin, Maverick.”
“Hi, guys,” she said with a wave.
Memphis had an inkling he might as well do some waving of his own. More precisely, he could wave his shot at their lovely new massage therapist goodbye, right about now.
