LITMIR.BIZ

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both disgruntled and slightly relieved, Damien agreed. A decision needed to be made about Darius, but he wouldn’t have to make it alone.

      The next morning the snowplows worked the roads bright and early. Eve woke to the peculiar blinding whiteness of sun on snow. As she padded to the kitchen to make a pot of decaf and get the hearth fire going before letting Max out, she couldn’t stop thinking of Damien and his offer.

      Just looking at the man made her mouth go dry. What he proposed was very, very tempting. The fact that she could even think like this should have made her angry with herself, but she was pragmatic at heart and believed in calling a spade a spade.

      Damien Colton made her go weak in the knees. Always had, always would.

      The knowledge unsettled her. So much so that after she’d finished her first cup of coffee, she started cleaning her kitchen. She knew she’d find comfort in the physical work and satisfaction in the finished results.

      About ninety minutes into her cleaning binge, when she’d finished the kitchen and the two bathrooms and started on the den, Max’s barking alerted her that a car had pulled up into the drive. Her mother. Perspiring and grungy, and knowing she could use a break, Eve went to the front door and opened it wide.

      “You’re out bright and early on a snowy morning,” she said brightly.

      Bonnie Gene’s gaze swept over her daughter. “It’s not morning. It’s well after noon.”

      “Well, good afternoon then.” Eve wiped her hands on her sweats. “You caught me in the middle of cleaning. What’s going on?” Moving aside, she waited until her mother entered before closing the door.

      “I have fantastic news!” Bonnie Gene gushed the moment she stepped inside. Sweeping into the foyer in her usual dramatic fashion, she eyed Eve’s pitiful attempts at Christmas decorating before focusing back on her daughter.

      “You are not going to believe this. Guess what I’ve arranged?”

      “I’m almost afraid to ask.”

      “Can the sarcasm.” Too excited to note—or care about—Eve’s less-than-enthusiastic reaction, Bonnie Gene clapped her gloved hands together. “I’ve set you up on a blind date.”

      “Not another blind date,” Eve protested.

      “This is not an ordinary blind date—it’s the coup de grâce of all blind dates! You are going out with Gary Jackson!”

      “Who?”

      “You know, Gary Jackson the attorney? He just moved here a few months ago and I know for a fact all the single girls want to go out with him. He’s tall, handsome and—”

      “Full of himself.” Eve dragged her hand through her hair. “Mother, we agreed. No more blind dates.”

      “You agreed. I said nothing. And listen, this one is too good to be true. You can’t pass this up.”

      “Does he even know?”

      Bonnie blinked. “What?”

      “Does this Gary Jackson even know he has a blind date with me? Remember, the last guy you set me up with and forced me to go on a date with had no idea. I was never so embarrassed in my life.”

      “Oh, for Pete’s sake.” Bonnie Gene rolled her eyes. “It all worked out, if I remember correctly.”

      “No, it didn’t. He was a stalker, mother. I had to get Wes Colton involved. Thank goodness that guy left town.”

      Removing her coat, Bonnie Gene wandered into the great room, standing in front of the fire. “Ahhh. That feels so good. Listen, both Gary’s mother and I went through a lot of work to arrange this. I’d really appreciate you going on this date. As a favor to me.”

      The old guilt trick. Eve refused to fall for it. “No.”

      “Come on. What else do you have to do?”

      Eve crossed her arms. “Do you really want a list?”

      Dropping down onto the couch, her mother sighed, removing her gloves and scarf and loosening her coat. “You know I only want what’s best for you.”

      “Yes, but you’ve got to stop this obsessive trolling to find me a husband. I’m nearly forty. I can find my own man.”

      “Oh, can you?” Bonnie Gene pounced. “Then tell me, what have you been doing to try and meet someone?”

      “Here we go again. Mother, don’t start.”

      “Fine. But you know I want grandchildren.”

      If ever Eve had been tempted to reveal her pregnancy, now would be the time. But her mother would broadcast the news all over town and right now, with the Mark Walsh fiasco in full swing, the last thing Honey Creek needed was more scandal. Nope, Eve just wanted to get through the holidays before dropping her bombshell.

      “I know you want grandchildren, Mother. You’ve informed me of that nonstop for the last ten years.”

      “Well, then,” Bonnie said brightly. “Since I’ve already arranged this date, will you please go?”

      Bonnie Gene looked so contrite, Eve softened. As she always did. Sucker. “I’ll go, but only if you give me your absolute word that this is the last blind date you arrange for me.”

      Grinning, Bonnie Gene nodded. “Do you want me to pinky swear?”

      “Just give me your word, Mother.”

      “Fine.” Huffing, Bonnie Gene grimaced. “You have my word. No more blind dates.”

      “Ever.”

      “Fine. No more blind dates ever.” Her frown faded and she grinned. “Maybe this date with Gary Jackson will lead to something permanent and you won’t need another blind date.”

      Oh geez. “Maybe. Who knows?” Sighing, Eve went into the kitchen. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

      “I’d love one. Do you want my help picking out an outfit for your date?”

      Midway to the kitchen, Eve paused. Turning, she eyed her mother, dreading the answer yet knowing she had to ask.

      “When is this date with Gary Jackson, by the way?”

      “Tonight.”

      Chapter 3

      Eve nearly said a curse word in front of her mother. “Tonight? How could you do this to me?”

      “Please,” Bonnie scoffed. “You’ve got over six hours to get ready. It’s not like you have to be there for lunch or anything.”

      “Where’s there?”

      “You’re meeting him for drinks and dinner at the Corner Bar and Grill.”

      Of course. Her mother knew that was Eve’s favorite place, as well as the second-most popular place in town, Kelley’s Cookhouse being first.

      Putting the kettle on the stove, Eve got out two mugs and two teabags of orange pekoe tea.

      “Everyone will see me there,” she groused, secretly glad her mother hadn’t chosen to have her meet Gary at the family’s barbecue restaurant. She’d done that before and Eve had spent the entire evening answering questions about what it was like to be part of the family that owned a famous franchised restaurant. Worse, her date had expected free food and had ordered one of everything on the menu. He’d been shocked, then angry, when Eve had informed him they still had to pay.

      “Exactly! There’s a live band tonight, the High Rollers, I think. So you know the place will be packed. Everyone will see you there with Gary,” Bonnie enthused. “That man is quite a catch. The town will be talking about it for days!”

      A

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