Spring River Valley: The Spring Collection (Boxed Set) Read Online Free PDF Page A

of the new garden center, an Easter egg painting class…”
    “You’re right, that sounds tortuous.”
    “What she’s trying to say is,” Bailey piped up from across the table, “She’s bored out of her mind at work, and she’s looking for some excitement. I bet you’ve got a lot of exciting stories to tell. You’re an EMT, aren’t you?”
    “Yeah…and I’ve been pretty lucky to never have a week I’d describe as gruesome.”
    “Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. But not much.”
    “So, if the garden center is your idea of a bad week, what would a good week be?”
    “One where I get a front-page byline that isn’t scooped by the infamous Golden Boy of journalism. I’m sorry.” She waved away her comment. “I don’t want to talk about Chad or the paper. Tonight, I just want to have a good time.”
    Tanner leaned over again, his nearness setting off every warning bell in her body and his sensual whisper lighting every nerve ending on fire. “Your wish is my command.”
     
    * * * *
     
    “Did you scare that girl away already?” Taylor asked an hour later when he reappeared at the cramped little corner table.
    “Evie and her friend went to the ladies ’ room,” Tanner replied before finishing the last of his beer. He’d been trying for an hour to locate his missing brother in the hopes he could get Evie to himself for a little while. He felt like he’d managed to break through the reporter’s brittle outer shell, but each time he caught her friend’s eye, Bailey’s leery expression made him feel like something she’d scraped off her shoe. “Where the hell have you been?”
    “Refereeing. Claud ia and Owen are having an issue.”
    “They fight a lot. I thought they were friends.”
    “They are. They’re just so much alike they can’t stand it sometimes. Anyway…we’re taking off. I just wanted to see if you—”
    “You can’t leave now. Come on, I thought you liked Bailey. Stay and hang out with us…maybe help me divide and conquer.”
    “Did you really just say divide and conquer? No wonder that girl thinks you’re some kind of monster.”
    “I just mean, give her friend something to do so I can —”
    “Make your move, Romeo?”
    “Yeah. Anyway, what are you and Claudia and Owen going to do tonight?”
    “Nothing. He’s got inventory at the store, and I offered to drive her home. I can’t back out now.”
    Tanner sighed. “You’re killing me here.”
    “Look, just ask the girl for her number and call her tomorrow.”
    “I’m working tomorrow. And come on…a cute redhead? Taylor, this is your chance, man.”
    “Sorry, I’m beat. And I promised Claudia a ride. Maybe another time.”
    Tanner sighed. Normally having two beautiful women to entertain would have been fine with him, but if he turned the charm on Bailey he knew that would just fuel Evie’s wrath. With that in mind, he’d played it very cool, which was probably why Bailey glared at him every chance she got. Now his only choice seemed to be to make a graceful exit and just leave the indomitable Ms. Prentice wanting more.
     
    * * * *
     
    “How can you leave me like this?” Evie cornered Bailey in the narrow hallway just outside the crowded ladies’ room. She tried to sound utterly bereft, hoping to convince herself, as well as Bailey, that she didn’t want her friend to go home early. Some part of her, though, secretly hoped Bailey would find a way to give her some one-on-one time with Tanner. She hated that part of her and wanted to squash it where it lived. She had to be insane to want to spend any more time with the man who’d been relentlessly hinting at seduction for the past hour. His every move and glance had made Evie acutely aware of him from his body heat to the enticing scent of his cologne. Her nerves were as taut as piano wire and her inhibitions loosened just enough by the alcohol to have her considering things she knew she shouldn’t.
    “I’m tired, and Aiden’s not doing