The Swinging R Ranch: The Swinging R Ranch / Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Debbi Rawlins

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СКАЧАТЬ realized she was entering the men’s room, she ran into Max Bennett on his way out.

      Surprise flickered across his face, but he recovered quickly, and grabbed her upper arms when she stumbled backward. “Looking for me?” he asked, flashing a megawatt smile.

      “Not even for an emergency lifeline.” She shook away from him, glaring fiercely to counteract her boneless legs.

      Trish popped her gum loudly. Out of the corner of her eye, Abby saw the younger woman’s mouth drop open, prompting Abby to glance around to see if anyone else had overheard. They were in a remote corner, and fortunately, no one else was in sight.

      Abby quickly stepped out of the men’s room doorway. “Trish, why don’t you go make sure everything is ready for my speech.”

      Trish nodded, backing away, her gaze shooting from Abby to Max—especially Max.

      “You look terrific,” he said, before Trish was out of earshot, and he lifted a hand to touch a stray tendril of hair at Abby’s temple.

      She ducked away from him. He looked better than terrific in a perfectly fitted dark blue suit. Clean shaven, tanned, disgustingly even white teeth. And those beautiful green eyes…It would be a miracle if any of the women paid one second of attention to her speech. “What have you done with my grandmother?”

      “What have I done with her?” One eyebrow lifted in amusement. “You give me way too much credit. Estelle has a mind of her own. Must run in the family.”

      “Okay, here’s a simpler question. What the hell are you doing here?”

      “My civic duty.”

      “You’re not a resident of Bingo.”

      “No, but I do own a business you’ve threatened to shut down.”

      Abby’s breath caught. “This is only a speech, not a debate.”

      “I understand.”

      “I didn’t even plan on mentioning the Swinging R.”

      Max smiled. “You sound nervous, Abby, maybe you ought to splash some cold water on your face before you have to get up on that podium.”

      Cold water. Great idea. Right down the front of Max’s perfectly tailored suit.

      “That would be a very bad move, Abby.” He shook his head. “It would look like poor sportsmanship at the very least.”

      He couldn’t know what she’d been thinking… “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she muttered. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

      “Hold on.” He grabbed her arm when she turned to go. “Someone should have caught this before now.”

      She froze when he touched the back of her neck, his warm fingers grazing her skin and threatening an onslaught of goose bumps. The soft sound of a closing zipper startled her.

      “There.” His hands fell away.

      A tad disoriented, she took a deep breath and slid him a glance. “Thanks.”

      “No problem. Call me later if you need help undressing.”

      The haze evaporated. Abby snorted. “Now who’s giving you too much credit.”

      He laughed. “Give ’em hell, Abigail,” he said softly, then sauntered away as if they’d just discussed the weather.

      Abby took three deep breaths, then hurried into the correct rest room. She stared in the mirror at her flushed face. Her lipstick had worn off, certainly not from eating, as she hadn’t been able to do that all day. Her nose was shiny, her eyes too bright and she’d forgotten to bring her purse to tackle the repairs.

      Topping it all off, she was late for her speech. Folks wouldn’t like that. They went to bed early in Bingo.

      Quickly she checked her teeth and was about to turn away from the mirror when the stray tendril Max had touched caught her eye. It fell in a loose flattering curl on her cheek. When she turned slightly, golden highlights captured the light.

      She did look nice tonight. At least better than usual. Certainly not on a par with Max’s standard, but nice. It annoyed the heck out of her that she gave a single hoot what Max thought, but there it was. His compliment had made her pulse speed and her heart had fluttered like a trapped butterfly.

      Good thing she could at least maintain perspective. Guys like him didn’t go for girls like her. And the truth was, she wouldn’t be happy with someone like him. Not for the long haul, anyway. Of course she didn’t really know him, but she had some college experience with men like him. Good-looking, used to getting their way, never having to carry their fair share of the load because some poor smitten sap was willing to do it for them.

      She straightened, feeling better about putting life back into perspective. Sure, she was still late, but she wasn’t feeling so rattled anymore.

      As soon as she left the rest room, she heard the disgruntled murmuring of the crowd, and she hurried toward the podium. Halfway there she saw Gramms trying to get her attention, and all her newfound composure dissolved like a puddle of melted chocolate.

      Abby had never been more glad to see her and she waited, in spite of the nosy looks and whispers, as Gramms got closer. Her familiar lilac scent reached Abby first, comforting her, making her feel a little emotional. Lack of sleep always made her a little sappy.

      “You look beautiful,” Gramms whispered as she kissed Abby’s cheek.

      “Where have you been? I was worried.” Abby ushered her away from straining ears to a spot near a deserted table.

      “Mona couldn’t decide what to wear, and Candy misplaced Tami for an hour so we got here late. I’m sorry, honey. But surely you knew I’d come.”

      “Mona and Candy are here with you.” Abby scanned the room without success. In fact, she couldn’t see Max either.

      “Of course. So are Rosie and Herb and Max. He’s such a nice young man, don’t you think?”

      Abby made a face. “Why are they all here?”

      “To support you, of course.”

      “Even after I threatened to shut them down?”

      Gramms’s lips curved in a patient smile. “They know you didn’t mean it.”

      “The place is a firetrap,” Abby murmured. “And it’s a wonder no one has broken a leg on those front steps.”

      “Abigail.” The warning in her grandmother’s face and voice should have subdued Abby.

      “If I’m mayor it’ll be my duty to review the condition of all public property. It’s nothing personal.”

      “The Swinging R isn’t public property, young lady, you’re just being stubborn and manipulative.”

      Abby gasped. “Gramms, I can’t believe you’re accusing me of being manipulative. Stubborn, СКАЧАТЬ