As the auctioneer described the property and the county auction requirements, she saw another man, one she hadnt noticed before. Hed parked on the county road some distance from the proceedings and now stood, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the front of his pickup truck, his battered Western straw hat pulled low against the sun.
Hed obviously just come to watch. He was dressed in work boots, jeans and a white T-shirt that called attention to his tanned, muscular
long to end this, and now she had unknowingly put herself in the middle of more trouble than she could imagine.
He cursed the way his luck was going as he raced north toward the small Western town, ruing the day hed ever laid eyes on Whitehorse, Montanaand McKenna Bailey.
BY THAT EVENING McKenna was actually in the mood for a dateeven a blind oneas she walked into Northern Lights restaurant. She was still floating on air from the excitement of her purchase earlier that afternoon, although she hadnt had much time to look the place over after signing all the papers.
She couldnt wait to take her horse out and ride her property.
Northern Lights restaurant had been opened just before Christmas by McKennas friend Laci Cavanaugh and her fiancé Bridger Duvall. It was the place to eat in Whitehorse. The fact that her date had chosen it gave McKenna hope.
She was instantly disappointed, though, when she was told by a young waitress she didnt know that Laci wasnt working tonight and that Bridger was swamped back in the kitchen.
Are you dining alone? the waitress asked.
She certainly hoped not. As she glanced around the restaurant, she spotted a lone male sitting off in one corner. He raised his head and got to his feet when he saw her.
He was the good-looking cowboy whod bid against her at the auction earlier that day. Just her luck. And his.
Small world, huh? he said with an ironic smile.
This was her date? She remembered the way hed tipped his hat to her when he quit bidding. She was pretty sure that had been anger shed seen in his dark eyes.
You look like you could use a drink. I know I could. He motioned to the waitress before turning back to McKenna. Whatll you have? Hell, you probably want champagne to celebrate, dont you? Give us a bottle of your best.
The waitress took off before McKenna could stop her. The last thing she wanted to do was have dinner with this man, let alone celebrate with him.
He held out his hand. Flynn Garrett.
His hand swallowed hers. McKenna
Bailey, he finished for her. Yeah, I know. His smile broadened as he seemed to take her in. The woman who bought herself a house and forty acres today. No hard feelings. You won fair and square. So lets celebrate.
He pulled out a chair for her and waited.
She tried to think of a good reason to break the date, but then the champagne arrived and she found herself taking a seat as the cork was popped and Flynn made a show of pouring them each a glass.
To you, Miss Bailey, he said, tapping his glass against hers.
His dark eyes never left hers as he took a sip. Hmm, not bad, he said, although she was almost positive he would have rather had another beer like the one hed been nursing when shed arrived.
She tried to relax. Blind dates were nerve-racking enough without her ending up having dinner with the man shed outbid. A very handsome man, she might add.
Youre a tough woman to beat at her own game, he said, his gaze hard to read. Shed put her money on him still being angry. Shed bet he was the kind of man who didnt like to lose.
If it makes you feel any better, you drove the bid up so high I have very little money left for improvements.
He appeared shocked. You arent considering doing anything with that house?
Yes. Why? She watched the way he nervously took a drink of his champagne. What had you planned to do with it?
Burn it down.
Now it was her turn to be shocked. You arent serious.
I just wanted the land. The house is in such bad shape He frowned. Sorry, Im sure you dont want to hear that.
It needs work, Ill admit, but structurally
You planning to do the work yourself?
She bristled. Ill have you know Im capable of doing just about anything I set my mind to.
He nodded slowly, eyeing her with an intensity that made her a little nervous. I bet you are.
The waitress brought the menus and he disappeared behind his. McKenna told herself that he was still angry with her for outbidding him and that he wouldnt have bid so high if he hadnt wanted the house as well as the land. What he said about the condition of the house was just sour grapes.
How are the steaks here? he asked over the top of his menu. His eyes were almost black. You look like a woman who could handle a steak. He put down his menu as the waitress appeared and grinned at McKenna. Am I wrong?
She ordered a rib eye, rare, which made him chuckle. He ordered the largest T-bone the restaurant served, also rare.
So tell me about McKenna Bailey, he said, leaning forward to rest his forearms on the table, those dark eyes intent on her again.