In heels she stood just a few inches shorter than me. I hadn’t had a chance to fully appreciate Miss Lovin’ Texas’s physique between hosing her down and tracking her into city hall. She was slim, but not downright skinny. She’d changed into a different skirt that showed off her legs. Her shirt tucked in at her narrowwaist, and I couldn’t help but notice the way her hips flared. Damn, that’s all I needed was to have to spend the next thirty days with the blond bombshell. I’d probably end up with a chronic case of blue balls.
Lacey stood behind the desk. “I trust Jasper can take it from here. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything during your stay. We’re thrilled to be considered for the title of most romantic small town in Texas. It would be a huge boost to our economy.”
Delilah nodded. I knew how important this was to Mayor Cherish—how important it was to the whole town, including my family’s business. Even though we’d gotten off on a rather rocky foot, I’d do my best to ensure I got her settled without any further screwups. Then I’d come back to set Lacey straight. She had to find someone else to take the lead on this, at least if she wanted any chance of pulling it off.
“Right this way, Ms. Stone.” I gestured for her to walk ahead of me toward the door. As she moved past, I turned to give Mayor Cherish a look that begged her to let me off the hook.
But Lacey didn’t flinch. She stood behind her desk, her arms crossed, a confident smile on her lips, as if to prove we were now in this together.
I wanted to shake some sense into her, but that would have to wait until later. So I pulled my baseball cap down over my brow and caught up to Delilah. The only way I was going to survive the next few hours was by catering to her every need.
CHAPTER 4
DELILAH
I heldmyself together as I followed Jasper through the small downtown area. I’d already seen enough to convince me there was no way Ido would be able to compete with the likes of Hartwood. They may as well call the contest and award the title now. For a moment I let myself think back to my arrival. Even if the dense hospitality host hadn’t soaked me through with a hose, it still wouldn’t change my opinion of the tiny southeast Texas town.
He slowed and turned on his blinker as a big neon sign readingburger bonanzacame into view on my left. Thank goodness Stella wasn’t with me now. My mother would blow her top at the thought of living in a local dive’s parking lot. Jasper pulled into a parking spot and directed me to the back corner of the empty lot. I brought the truck to a stop and killed the engine.
He met me as I climbed down from the truck. “How’s it handle?”
“Excuse me?”
“The truck. Looks like it’s got a Hemi under the hood.” He patted the front side panel of the truck.
I moved toward the rear of the truck so I could disconnect the trailer. “I suppose it’s all right.”
“Here, let me help you with that.” Jasper reached for the hitch.
Glad to have someone else willing to get their hands dirty, I stepped back and watched while he quickly unhitched the trailer and got it leveled. I hadn’t given the man much more than a quick glance when we first met. Granted, he’d been standing behind the hose that drenched me, and then lying on the ground almost getting a good glimpse at my panties.
But now, as he knelt in front of me, I couldn’t help but appreciate the way his muscles bulged under his T-shirt with the effort of getting my trailer situated. Strong hands made quick business of the lock. A well-worn baseball cap tried to tame his hair. It must have been a bit too long based on the way it curled up under the edges. Strong jaw, just a hint of scruff. Obviously, he was the kind of man who didn’t shy away from working with his hands.
I pulled my shirt away from my skin in an effort to get some air moving. The past two towns I’d worked with had assigned a slick public relations rep and a matronly mayor’s wife as my contacts. In both cases, they’d been women. But man, Jasper was all man. He bent down in front of me to unhook the electrical, and I couldn’t help but notice the formfitting jeans that clung to his assets.
“Do you think I can grab a glass of tea or something inside?” I asked. Even though it was already the last day of September, the heat hadn’t let up its grip.
“I’ll be done with this in just a minute.” He stood, wiping his hands on a bandana he’d pulled out of one of his pockets. “Why don’t I take you inside and introduce you to Helmut? I want to make sure I’ve got you all hooked up before I leave.”
Hooked up.I had no business thinking about hookups or getting hooked up. Not while I was representing the Texas tourism board. Besides, Jasper Taylor wasn’t my type. Ipreferred someone who knew how to wear a suit, who shaved at least once a day, who had the polish and professional mannerisms to handle any situation. Not a wall of muscle who seemed to have a penchant for four-letter words and a smile that had probably deprived many local women of their panties.
“Thank you.” I took the keys he handed back to me and slipped them into my purse.
“Right this way.” Jasper ambled toward the door to the restaurant. “Are you hungry? I wasn’t sure if you’d had lunch yet or might be in the mood for a Banzai Burger.”
“Oh, I’m a vegetarian.” I smiled as he held the door open for me.
“A vegetarian?” His eyebrows lifted. “I wouldn’t necessarily mention that to Helmut.”
“And why’s that?” I stopped at the hostess stand. It was like I’d stepped back to the early seventies. Fake wood paneling covered the walls. The flooring looked like the kind of commercial tile I’d had in my junior high lunchroom, and the light fixtures were a mix of orange and avocado green.
“Helmut doesn’t understand some things.”
“Being a vegetarian isn’t exactly uncommon.”
“Yeah, well, neither is global warming but he hasn’t acknowledged that either.” Jasper picked two menus from the stand. “Where would you like to sit? Best table in the house is in the kitchen.”
“I’m fine, really.” The smell of fried meat had pretty much killed my appetite when I walked in. If I could exchange some pleasantries with the owner, I’d be able to get settled in the trailer and start getting ready for the kickoff party tonight. “Can we see about getting my power and water hooked up? I ate when I stopped for gas and I don’t have much of an appetite.”
