Three Little Words

“You okay?” Ford asked with a grin.

She nodded. “Confused.”

“I do that to women. You’re overwhelmed with desire. I should have warned you.”

Which would have been funny if it wasn’t true.

His smile faded. “Seriously, Isabel, are you all right?”

“I’m fine. It’s just kissing you is different.”

“Is it the fangs? Not everyone finds them a turn-on.”

She managed a laugh. He pulled her close again and lightly kissed the tip of her nose.

“Not like with Eric?” he asked.

“Or Billy. Or the unnamed hordes in between.”

“You had hordes?”

“I had one other guy. Maybe two. It wasn’t impressive.”

His dark gaze met hers. “So it’s the passion that has you nervous?”

“I guess. I like what I feel, but it’s so strange.”

His mouth twisted. “Well, damn. Now I can’t take advantage of you.”

“Did you plan to?”

“I was hoping.”

She took a deep breath and then placed her palm on his chest. She looked into his eyes and murmured, “Maybe next time.”

Now it was his turn to suck in a breath. “Just say the word.”

CHAPTER TEN

CONSUELO WATCHED HER CLASS walk into the gym. The thirteen-year-old boys were at that awkward stage. Some were tall and lanky, while others had yet to start their puberty-induced growth spurt. Reese and Carter walked in together, as they always did. Reese had been in town awhile because of his dad, but Carter had shown up only a couple of months ago. His mother had died and Carter had come looking for his father—Gideon, a man who’d never known about his son. After a few missteps, the two had connected. With Felicia as the glue in their relationship, they’d formed a family.

Now Carter crossed the room and stopped in front of her.

“You went on a date.” His voice was accusing.

Consuelo nodded slowly. “I know.” She wasn’t going to apologize. Carter’s declaration of everlasting love was sweet, but hardly real.

“You’re not going to wait for me, are you?” he asked with a sigh. “Even though I’ll be eighteen in five years?”

“I’m too old for you. But there will be other women in your life.”

“It won’t be the same.”

She held in a smile. “I know and I’ll have to live with that.”

Reese came up and rolled his eyes. “You gotta let it go, bro.”

“I will. There are some cute girls at school.”

“See?” Consuelo told him. “Your heart is already healing.”

“But if you ever change your mind,” he began.

“You’ll be the first to know.”

Reese shook his head. “Crazy talk,” he said, then lowered his voice. “My dad said to say thank you for coming to dinner the other night.” He shrugged. “I thought it was fun, too, even if you didn’t tell him to give me a puppy.”

“Not getting in the middle of that discussion.”

“But you could convince him if you tried.”

She thought briefly about the tender kiss that had left her shaken to her very soul. “You overestimate my powers.”

“I don’t think so. My dad thinks you’re hot.”

She raised her eyebrows. “That’s a lead into a very awkward conversation. You sure you want to have it?”

“Probably not. He’s happier around you. I’m glad he’s dating. Do you cook?”

“Some,” she said cautiously. “So you’re only in it for the meals?”

Reese grinned. “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”

“I’m starting to see that.” She glanced at the clock. “Go get in line. We’re starting.”

Reese waved and headed for the far side of the gym, where her students were waiting. She walked toward them. For a second she allowed herself to believe it was all possible. That her date with Kent could lead to something special. That he could see past the pretty face to who she really was and like her anyway.

What was that old saying? If wishes were horses...

* * *

“I’M NOT SURE I have the body to pull this off,” Isabel said as she turned back and forth in front of the half circle of mirrors in her store. “I need shape-wear.”

Madeline raced into the other room and returned with a body shaper that went from boobs to midthigh.

“Here you go. But honestly, I don’t think you need it.”

Isabel laughed. “And you’re a woman who deserves a raise.” She unzipped the dress and let it fall to the floor, then stepped into the shape-wear and began the arduous process of pulling it into place. Madeline joined her on the raised platform and tugged along.

Three minutes later Isabel could barely breathe, but all her curves were as they should be and the bulgy places were suitably squished. Madeline reached for the sample Dellina had brought by earlier that morning.

The dress was silk, in a wrap style with a draped bodice. The style made her waist appear smaller, her legs longer. The color seemed purple in some light and blue in others. Long sleeves were deceptively demure. While they went down to her wrists, there was a slit from shoulder to cuff, and as she moved, she bared her arms.

“What about shoes?” Madeline asked.

“I have some ridiculously high nude pumps,” Isabel told her. “They’ll be perfect.” She fastened the side hook, securing the dress in place, then faced herself in the mirror.

“You look great,” Madeline breathed. “You really have to buy that dress.”

“It works,” Isabel said. “It would work better if I lost ten pounds, but I’ll accept being unable to breathe.”

“Can you eat? Aren’t you going to a dinner?”

“Details.” Isabel flicked away the concern.

In New York, she’d dressed in the city’s traditional black. Here, she was aware that while she had to look professional, she never wanted to outshine the bride. She channeled her fashion interest into shoes and other accessories. But every now and then it was good to cut loose and indulge herself with a perfectly fabulous dress.

This one had the advantage of being appropriate and hot enough to make him look twice. At least, that was the plan. After their last kiss, she was hoping to leave him a little off balance. It might help to put them on more even footing.

“You want a smoky eye with that for sure,” Madeline said firmly. “Great earrings.”

“I can borrow a pair from my mom.” Isabel pulled her hair up in a twist. “Up or down?”

Madeline grinned. “You’re going up to the resort. Definitely up.”

“I’ll need to add an hour to my prep time.”

“It’ll be worth it,” the other woman promised.

* * *

FORD WALKED IN through the back door. “It’s me,” he called as he entered Isabel’s kitchen. “You need to think about keeping your door locked.”

“Then how would you get in?”

Her voice drifted down the hall.

“I can pick the lock. I was thinking about you keeping out other people.” He started to walk out of the kitchen, then paused. “Are you going to make an entrance? Should I wait here?”

“You tell me.”

She appeared in the doorway. She wore a blue dress and had her hair up. A simple description that did nothing to describe the reality of a beautiful woman in a flowy fabric that hugged every sexy curve.

Earrings dangled, making him follow the line of her neck to the open V of her dress. There was enough cl**vage to get his attention. Three-inch heels put her close to eye level, and all he could think about was kissing her and then getting her na**d.

“You’re in a suit,” she said, walking toward him. “You look good.”

“You look better. Wow.”

She smiled. “Wow works. Too many men underestimate the power of wow.”

“I won’t. Ever. I promise.”

She did a full turn. “So this is okay? It’s corporate, but it’s Fool’s Gold. I wasn’t sure.”

“I’m sure.”

She smiled and moved close enough to adjust his tie. She smelled like flowers and vanilla.

“Better or worse than dress whites?” she asked.

“About the same. Only in a dark suit, it’s safer to spill.”

She laughed. The sweet sound kicked him in the gut. Or maybe a little lower. How was he supposed to think about business with Isabel next to him all night? Not that he wanted her to be anywhere else.

“You’re messing with my head,” he complained.

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Then God help me if you start to try.”

* * *

THE GOLD RUSH Ski Lodge and Resort was nestled in the mountains above Fool’s Gold. The location offered stellar views and luxury lodgings. In the winter, the lodge was filled with skiers and snowboarders. Spring and summer were wedding season. The fall was usually a hodgepodge of seminars and retreats.

“When I was growing up, this was the fanciest place we ever went as a family,” Isabel told Ford as he drove onto the property. “It was only for special occasions. Graduations and my parents’ twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”

“The clients are staying here for a couple of nights.”

“Then they’ll be impressed.” She watched the valet stare at the Jeep. “Oh, look. He’s afraid.”

“He’s not afraid. My Jeep’s a classic.”

“Then you should treat it with the respect it deserves. You really need to think about painting it. At least get rid of the flames.”

“The flames are the best part.”

They pulled up to the valet.

“Thanks,” Isabel murmured as her door was opened. She was careful as she stepped to the ground. Heels and a long drop to earth were not a good mix—especially when wearing a wrap dress. But she managed without flashing anyone.

As they walked toward the entrance, Ford put his hand on the small of her back. She liked the warm pressure of his fingers against her body—even with the firm layer of Lycra between his skin and hers.

Once inside, Ford motioned to the bar. “They’re meeting us there.”

She hesitated. “I’m oddly nervous.”

“It’s not your fault you’re the most beautiful woman in the room.”

The unexpected compliment caused her to burst out laughing. She knew she cleaned up pretty well and could comfortably call herself average-plus, but the most beautiful woman in the room? Not on this planet.

Ford’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not supposed to laugh.”

“Then stop being funny.” She slipped her arm through the crook of his elbow. “Lead on, faux boyfriend.”

“You’re still giggling.”

“I’ll do my best to stop.”

“Ford!”

They turned and saw a couple in their late thirties walking toward them. He was a few inches shy of six feet and she came to his shoulders. They were both dark haired. The woman was obviously pregnant.

“Clyde,” Ford said, stepping forward and offering his hand. He turned to the woman. “You must be Linda. Nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” Linda said with a pretty smile that lit up her face.

“This is Isabel.”

There was more handshaking.

“At the risk of stating the obvious,” Clyde said, putting a possessive hand on his wife’s waist, “it’s probably best we skip the bar and head into dinner.”

Isabel nodded and Ford agreed. They walked toward Henri’s on the west side of the resort.

Linda fell into step with her. “I love this town,” she said. “It’s adorable. Clyde was telling me that there are festivals nearly every weekend.”

“We do like to celebrate.”

“So you’re from here?”

“Born and raised. I’ve spent the past six years in New York, though.”

“But you came back.” Linda sounded delighted. “We’re in Phoenix and it’s nothing like this. For one thing, the heat in the summer is brutal. We also don’t have the trees. Everything is so green.”

“Wait until the fog rolls in and frizzes your hair,” Isabel said lightly. “It’s almost heaven on earth here, but Phoenix has its appeal, too.”

Linda laughed.

Ford gave his name to the hostess, who showed them to a table by the windows. They had a view of much of the town and the valley beyond.

“Are those vineyards?” Clyde asked.

“Yes,” Ford said. “We have a few wineries in the area. They have tastings every weekend.”

“Something for next time,” Linda said, resting her hand on her belly. She sighed. “Let’s just say number three is a surprise. We have two children already, a boy and a girl. We were done. Or so I thought.”

Clyde nodded. “Jack’s our youngest and he’s nearly seven.”

“I couldn’t believe it.” She leaned toward Isabel. “Clyde’s been in for the surgery now, but it’s too little too late.” She sighed. “Not that I’m not excited about the baby, but was he unexpected!”

“You’re having a boy?” Isabel asked.

“Clyde Junior,” Clyde said.

Linda looked at her husband. “You are not saddling a tiny infant with that name.”

“Why not? You can call him CJ,” Isabel said.