I struggled, pushing him away for a whole two seconds before I gave up and slid my fingers through his hair, tugging harshly to pull him closer to me. God, he was so addictive, so freaking handsome, and there was nothing I could do to stop the little Cassidy inside me from jumping up and down every time his body came close or his eyes flicked my way.
Luckily, I was saved by the bell.
The door chimed as someone strolled into the shop, and he quickly stepped back, grabbing a book off a nearby shelf.
“Hello, Mrs. Bennett,” I beamed, giving myself a quick once-over to make sure I was presentable. Thankfully, I didn’t appear too disheveled.
“Good morning, dear. I was just stopping in for that new cookbook I ordered.”
“Right!”
I hustled around behind the counter, searching for her order. I’m not sure how I could have let it slip my mind. Georgia Bennett always picked up her orders first thing in the morning when they came in.
“Oh, Sam! It’s good to see you in town. You know, I hear they’ve been moving your house around a lot. Better hope theydon’t hitch it up behind Kasey’s apartment. You’ll have a nightly visitor.”
“Um…”
“Oh, listen to me,” she laughed, rushing over to him. “I’m Georgia Bennett, Bailey’s mom.”
“Right. Liam’s wife.”
The woman beamed with pride, puffing out her chest as she perused him. “Now, we need to find you a girlfriend. A man like you can’t saunter around town too long before all the girls will be beating down your door. You know, my Billie is single.”
“Uh, I’m not really looking.”
I smirked at the counter, trying not to enjoy this scene too much. After all, a round with Mrs. Bennett would give anyone a massive migraine.
“Oh, is it the other direction?” she whispered. “Because I’m afraid I don’t know of any single young men with those tendencies.”
Sam nearly choked on his own spit at her words. As for me, I clapped down on the snort of laughter just as Sam shot me the most evil look I’d ever seen.
“Of course, that Declan is awfully handsome. He’s a firefighter, you know. Though I have no idea if he prefers a firehose over—well, I’m not sure what you would say instead of firehose!” she burst out laughing.
“I’m really just here to get a book,” Sam choked out.
She peered at his book and beamed up at him. “Are you adopting a kitten? How sweet!”
“What—” His eyes shot to the book, then back to her. “No, I was just?—”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Living all alone in that house, you must need the company. And I know just where to go. I heard the other day that the Lawsons were looking to get ridof a few kittens. I can give you their number,” she said, digging around in her purse.
“That’s not necessary.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. Lisa is a good friend of mine.” Her gaze shot up to his and a smile curved her lips. “You know, their daughters are in town right now. Hadley and Oakley. Well, they came to visit after that terrible business with Ellie. Poor dear. We’re all praying for her. I suppose it would be uncouth to ask if her daughters are single right now, but I could slip it into the conversation easily enough.”
“Really, it’s not?—”
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t forget about the kitten.” She pulled out a giant notebook and grinned. “Here! I’m sure I have her number in here somewhere.”
Sam ran his hand along the back of his bright red neck. If ever there was a time to rescue him, it was now. The poor man looked like he wanted to melt into the floor.
“Mrs. Bennett, I found your book!”
She spun, tapping her forehead as she rushed over. “Oh, silly me. I completely forgot about why I came in here.”
“Let me get this wrapped up for you.”
“Thank you, dear. And—” She spun to say something else to Sam, but he was already long gone, having made his escape with my clever distraction. “Oh, I was going to ask him what kind of kitten he was looking for. Oh well. I’ll give Lisa a call, anyway.”
