Reese's Wild Wager. Barbara McCauley

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      “Not me.” Lucian glanced at the cards still in his hand.

      “No hurry.” Gabe started to take his coat back off and Callan followed suit. “We could squeeze in a couple more rounds.”

      “Game’s over.” And so’s the show. Reese snatched the cards out of Lucian’s hands, helped Gabe put his coat back on, then shoved all three of his brothers out the door and closed it behind them.

      “Okay.” Reese turned and faced Sydney. “Now, where were we?”

      “You were about to tell me how you intend to keep your dog inside your own yard and out of my flowers.”

      “Oh. Right. Well, here’s the thing.” Reese glanced at the dog, then moved beside Sydney, lowering his voice as he bent his head close to hers. The scent of lavender mixed with something else he couldn’t identify drifted from her skin. He hesitated, not only to appreciate the smell, but because he was surprised. He’d never thought about Sydney smelling so…nice.

      Brow furrowed, she frowned at him. “What thing?”

      “What? Oh, well, you see, Boomer’s sensitive about being locked up. Ever since I found him out on the highway and brought him home with me, he gets depressed if I try to keep him in.”

      Boomer, who heard his name and seemed to understand he was the topic of conversation, lifted his head and thumped his tail on the floor.

      “Depressed?” The tilt of Sydney’s head signified her skepticism. “Maybe he requires more attention than you can give him.”

      “Shoot, Boomer gets more attention than a baby with a bonnet. He just can’t stand to be fenced in. He needs to…stretch his legs a little.”

      “Gabe just bought the Witherspoon house,” Sydney said matter-of-factly. “That’s five acres of farmland, surrounded by several more acres. Plenty of room for a dog to ‘stretch his legs.’ I’m sure Boomer would be extremely happy there. He can dig to his heart’s content.”

      “I couldn’t do that to Boomer. He was already abandoned once when he was a pup. If I just gave him away like that, he wouldn’t understand. He’d think I deserted him.”

      She stiffened, then took a step back from him and lifted cool blue eyes to his. “Like Bobby deserted me? Left me standing in my wedding dress to face a crowded church on my own, is that what you’re trying to say?”

      Dammit, dammit. That wasn’t what he’d meant at all. “No, Syd, really, I—”

      “Forget it, Sinclair. You think you can soften me up with that killer smile of yours and make me feel sorry for your dog, and I’ll just go away. Well, I’m not going away.” She folded her arms. “Life is just one big lark to you, isn’t it, including this bar you run.”

      “Hey, now, this is a tavern, not a bar. There’s a big—”

      “Maybe you think I’m being petty, or that a few chewed up flowers are irrelevant, but your lack of respect for my property is irresponsible and insensitive.”

      “Hey, I’m as sensitive as the next guy,” Reese protested.

      “If that next guy happens to be Bobby Williams,” Sydney said, and pointed her chin at him.

      That did it. Reese clenched his jaw. He wasn’t anything like Bobby Williams. He’d had enough of Sydney’s insults for one night. He glanced at Boomer. This is the thanks I get for saving your sorry butt. He looked at the table where cards and chips were scattered.

      Irresponsible, was he? Life was one big lark, huh?

      Well, fine, then.

      “Tell you what, Syd,” he said slowly, turning back to her. “What say we let a friendly card game settle this for us?”

      Her head came up, and her brow came down. “What?”

      “A card game. Go Fish, Crazy Eights. Maybe a couple hands of Old Maid?”

      His jab struck home. She straightened; her eyes shot blue daggers at him. “What on earth are you talking about?”

      “A game of chance to settle this once and for all. If you win, I’ll keep Boomer fenced in, and if I win…” What did he need? Something to not only shut Sydney up, but put her in her place. Think, Sinclair, what do you need?

      He grinned suddenly. She’d never go for it. He knew she wouldn’t. He just wanted to see the expression on her face, wanted to see her back down from a challenge.

      “…if I win,” he continued, “you have to come work at the tavern for a week. I’m short two servers right now. Wages included, of course, plus tips.”

      Sydney’s jaw went slack; she was silent for all of fifteen seconds. “You expect us to settle this with a card game? That’s preposterous!”

      He grinned at her. “That’s my middle name.”

      “You’re serious. You’re really serious.”

      “Yep.” She’d back out now, Reese thought with smug satisfaction. No way she’d go through with anything as foolhardy as this. And since he had her attention, he’d up the ante till she squeaked. “Under my direct supervision, of course. You have to do what I say.”

      “What!”

      “Don’t go looking so hopeful, Sydney,” Reese said, thoroughly enjoying the flush on her face. “I’m only referring to business here, though we could certainly discuss job perks and options, if you like.”

      “Let me get this straight.” She blew a wisp of hair from her cheek. “If I win, you promise to take care of Boomer and keep him out of my flowers. If I lose, I have to work for you, here, for a week.”

      “Just three hours a day. Someone as tidy and organized as you could surely work three hours into your schedule.”

      Sydney’s laugh was dry and short. “Even coming from Reese Sinclair, this is the most absurd proposal I’ve ever heard.”

      He knew she wouldn’t go for it, but it had been fun, anyway. Still, he couldn’t resist giving her pride one more tug. “If you’re afraid to lose…”

      “Afraid?” Her eyes narrowed sharply, and she stepped closer to him. “I’m not afraid.”

      “Okay.” He shrugged and rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Syd.”

      “All right, Sinclair.” That chin of hers went up again. “What do you say we make it more interesting? If I lose, Boomer’s not only free as a bird, I’ll come work for you for two weeks. If I win, though, Boomer not only gets kept in…” she leaned in close “…you have to come work for me for two weeks after my restaurant opens.”

      He gave a bark of laughter. “You’re kidding, right?”

      “Afraid you’ll lose?” she asked sweetly.

      “You mean it.” He stared at her incredulously. “You’ll actually go СКАЧАТЬ