The Husband List. Cindy Kirk

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ wasn’t the only woman in Jackson Hole. If he was looking for a woman. Which he was not. He’d barely arrived back in town. He hadn’t even had time to unpack the bag sitting in his sister’s guest bedroom.

      On Monday, he’d start his construction job. When he got off work, he’d look for a place to stay so he didn’t inconvenience his sister and brother-in-law any further. Despite Ryan and Betsy’s assurance that he was welcome to stay indefinitely, the desire to make his own way, to begin to rebuild the life he’d lost, was a burning need inside him.

      “I suppose—” Mitzi began.

      “I should mingle.” Keenan shoved his hands into his pockets, forcing a calm tone. He let his gaze skim over her once more then smiled. “It was good getting to know you. Thanks for the welcome-home kiss.”

      Before he could embarrass himself by telling her to give him a call if she was ever free or something equally lame, he shot her a wink and sauntered back inside.

      * * *

      Mitzi watched in stunned disbelief as the man she’d been prepared to brush off opened the French doors and disappeared from view. Her impromptu speech of dismissal had been fully formed on her lips but he’d spoken first.

      Irritation bubbled inside her. She clenched her hands into fists. He’d not only walked off, he had the audacity to wink at her.

      Well, no man walked away from Mitzi Sanchez in such a cavalier manner. She was going to go inside, seek him out and tell him to his face that—

      She paused, even in her anger realizing the irrationality of her plan. What could she say to him that wouldn’t make her sound like a kook? Or worse yet, desperate?

      Taking a couple of deep, steadying breaths, Mitzi turned back to the rail and gazed over the lush lawn. Deep in her thoughts, she didn’t immediately notice that her friend, Kate Dennes, now stood beside her.

      “You’re quite the party animal tonight.” Kate rested her hands on the rail and cast a sidelong glance in Mitzi’s direction.

      “I needed air.”

      “I saw you stroll out here with Keenan.” Kate’s expression gave nothing away. “Then he came back inside alone.”

      “He wanted to mingle.” Mitzi could have cheered when her voice came out calm and offhand. “I preferred to stay out here a little longer.”

      Kate nudged Mitzi with her elbow. “He’s quite a hunk.”

      Mitzi lifted a shoulder in a little shrug. “I suppose. If you like the type.”

      The smile faded from Kate’s lips. “Type?”

      “Arrogant.” The moment the word slipped past Mitzi’s lips, she felt a pang of regret. As if she’d said something bad about a friend. But then she reminded herself that Keenan wasn’t a friend. He wasn’t anything more than a guy she had kissed under a full moon.

      Kate inhaled sharply. “I hope that won’t be a problem.”

      Mitzi shifted her body toward her friend, cocked her head.

      “Joel hired him on the basis of everyone’s recommendation.” Kate chewed on her lip. “Customer service and teamwork is important to him. If Keenan has a bad attitude...”

      Mitzi knew there were no secrets between Kate and her contractor husband, Joel. Once Kate was alone with her spouse, she’d share what Mitzi had told her. Keenan would have one strike against him before he even started his new job.

      That would be my fault.

      “He’s not really arrogant,” Mitzi said quickly, then felt heat rise up her neck at Kate’s assessing look.

      “That’s what you said.”

      “We kissed then he walked away as if it meant nothing,” Mitzi huffed. “Pissed me off.”

      The serious look in Kate’s eyes faded, replaced by something that resembled amusement. “Did you say you kissed him?”

      Mitzi scowled. “Is something wrong with your hearing?”

      “You just met.”

      “Kissed, Kate,” Mitzi sputtered. “I didn’t hop into bed with him.”

      Kate searched Mitzi’s eyes then gave a little laugh. “You wanted to.”

      Mitzi started to deny it then chuckled. “He’s hot.” She lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “Just not my type.”

      “Please don’t tell me you’re still focused on that football player.”

      Mitzi took a glass of champagne a passing waiter offered, and then enjoyed one delicious sip before answering. “That cheating snake? Get real. I’m not about to chase one mistake with another.”

      Kate took a sip from the glass of water she’d brought with her to the deck. “You believe becoming involved with Keenan would be a mistake.”

      “He’s an ex-con, Kate.”

      “Innocent of all charges.”

      “I’m looking for a different kind of man. Someone more like Winn Ferris or...” Mitzi brought a finger to her lips. “Tim Duggan.”

      Tim Duggan was a physician in the same OB-GYN practice as their mutual friend, Travis Fisher. A widower with twin girls, the young doctor kept a low profile in the community.

      “I like Tim.” Kate spoke slowly, as if choosing her words carefully. “He and I served on a medical-ethics committee together last year, so I got to know him pretty well. I’d be happy to set you up. But I have to say, you and he don’t seem like a particularly good fit.”

      “Why?” Mitzi bristled. “Because he went to some Ivy League school and I grew up in East L.A.?”

      Something in Kate’s eyes flickered, but her expression didn’t alter. “Because he’s quiet and very family oriented. His life revolves around his daughters.”

      Mitzi considered. Dating a man with kids wouldn’t be her first choice, but she could adjust. “I could be family oriented.”

      She didn’t even bother with the “quiet.” Keeping her mouth shut had never been a strength.

      “In all the time you’ve lived in Jackson, you’ve never once given Tim a second glance. It doesn’t make sense that all of a sudden you’re hot for him.”

      “I’m interested in getting to know him better.” Mitzi’s tone stopped just short of petulant. “I’m tired of dating the wrong men. I’m not getting any younger and I need to focus on quality.”

      “Benedict Campbell was quality,” Kate reminded her. “You focused on him for well over a year.”

      “Ben was—is—a quality guy,” Mitzi concurred. “But all we did was argue. He’s quite arrogant.”

      Kate sipped her water. “Arrogant. СКАЧАТЬ