No Foolin' (Willowdale Romance Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Lies and heartbreak, that’s all men were good for, which was why Kate was done with them. “Tommy taught me some hard lessons.”
    “Like what?”
    She pushed her salad away. “That not everyone’s meant for love. And it’s a fact, not an opinion.” Oh, she always tried to play it off like she was over it all, doing her best to be friendly with Tommy. Heck, she’d even set him up with Tonya. But when she let herself sit and think about everything that had happened, it hurt like a dozen bee stings to the heart that never went away.
    Teague stared at her for a moment and Delores dropped off their check in a little black tray with a couple of peppermint candies. “You two should take a peek in our antique shop. We’ve got a sale going on. There are some nice pieces of jewelry for your girl, Eugene. I can tell you got real special feelings for her,” she said, nodding at Kate.
    Teague reached for Kate’s hand. “She’s special, alright. Thank you. We’ll take a look.”
    Kate’s eyes widened and she snatched her hand away when Delores walked back to the kitchen.
    He shrugged and unwrapped a peppermint. “What? She thinks I’m Eugene, your boyfriend.” He popped the candy in his mouth. “I’m just playing the part.”
    “Trust me. That would never happen. Not with someone like you.” The devil would get into the snow cone business before that ever went down.
    TEAGUE LIFTED AN eyebrow. She talked a tough game, but there was a lot of hurt behind those pretty eyes. He wanted to tuck her hair behind her ears so he could kiss away that frown. He bounced his leg under the table, surprised by his reaction. He hadn’t been around anyone so real in a long time. It felt good. Scratch that—it felt scary as hell. Good thing he was leaving town soon. Kate Riley could be very bad news for someone like Teague.
    He got coffee to go for the two of them, paid the bill—gave Delores a fifty percent tip so at least someone would be having a good day—and walked into the antique store. He went right to a display cabinet filled with old jewelry. He felt bad for Delores and this struggling shop. He had a soft spot for anyone or anything unwanted. When you’re an unwanted kid, you watched out for rejected people, discarded things. Didn’t take a trip to the psychologist to figure that one out. That’s why he’d always paired himself with confident, brash, women; the women everyone desired. His heart was certainly safe with them. They’d never need him for anything other than a good time. And that’s all he ever expected in return. So far, it had been working quite nicely.
    He scanned the necklaces in the display case, imagining them looped around Kate’s long neck. He felt an odd desire to soothe her, make the ache go away. Just like he’d always wished someone would do for him when he was a kid.
    He tapped the glass. “Can I see that ring in the back? The silver one with the big pearl.”
    Delores handed it to him and folded her spotty hands. “It certainly is gorgeous. Just like Kate.”
    Kate walked up to him, letting out a big sigh at Delores’ words.
    “Can you try this on?” he asked.
    She slid it on her finger and splayed her hand. “It’s lovely. I think any woman would be tickled to have this.” She took it off and set the ring on the counter.
    “I’ll take it,” he said.
    Maybe he’d give it to Kate, or .  . . oh, hell. Just say her name: Jennifer, who’d toppled his world today. Maybe he’d give it to her the next time he was in town. Would he stop and see Kate, too? Maybe then they could get down to business and have a good time. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the feeling. Why was he thinking about that at a time like this? He had “the problem” to deal with. Jennifer’s big problem.
    No, his big problem, now.
    They walked out to the Jeep and he settled in the seat. He closed his eyes, wishing he were back in L.A., lying by his pool, maybe getting a massage from that lovely