No Foolin' (Willowdale Romance Novel)

by Scott, Lisa

  Still tucked down in his seat, he looked up and narrowed his eyes at her. “Right next to the article about my alien love child, I bet.”

  She stifled a laugh as they cruised through the heart of downtown and turned down an unmarked road that led into the woods.

  “Where are we going?” Teague sat up.

  She maneuvered the car along the bumpy road, hidden under the thick canopy of trees. “There’s this out-of-the-way spot I thought we’d try.” Her cheeks must’ve been red as an August sunset. “How long do we need to hide, anyway?”

  “I’ve got a plane chartered to leave at eight over in Whitesville.”

  Kate blew out her breath. “That’s over three hours to kill.”

  He grinned at her. “I’ve given you a thousand dollars. Not a bad rate per hour.”

  With a glare for him, she pulled into the clearing at the end of the road overlooking the valley. Gravel crunched under her tires as she parked the car, angled so she could focus on the beautiful, rolling scene below instead of the gorgeous view in the seat right next to her. “I guarantee no one’ll find us here.”

  The place was deserted, with huge pine trees flanking either side of the overlook, providing plenty of privacy. A few crushed beer cans littered the ground and old tire tracks from generations of long, steamy nights left grooves in the dirt. Not that she’d know. But it must’ve looked much different beneath a moonlit sky instead of the big blazing sun. She swiped the back of her hand across her forehead even though the air conditioning was cranked on high.

  A grin split his face. “This looks like a place where kids come to make out.”

  Her cheeks burned and she looked away. “It is. But I figure we’re safe here on a Tuesday afternoon.” Unconsciously, she checked to see that her seatbelt was fastened. It was. Of course it was.

  He set one hand against the back of her seat and leaned toward her. “Or maybe you’re just trying to take advantage of me, find out if my reputation is true.” He put his hand over his heart. “I’m hurt, really.” Then he pressed the latch on her seatbelt and smiled. “But I’ll get over it.” His breath was hot and inviting on her skin like a warm breeze at the beach. A nudie beach, she thought, probably turning five kinds of red.

  She slapped away his hand and clenched her teeth. “I could always drop you off back in town.”

  Both his hands shot up. “No, no. I’m kidding. We can sit here and play twenty questions. Rock, paper, scissors. Truth or dare. Whatever you want.”

  She refastened her seatbelt and flicked on the radio. “Or we could sit here and ignore each other.” Which was the best thing to do with a guy like Teague Reynolds—the triple fudge brownie sundae of men: hot, irresistible, and gone before you know it. Totally bad for a girl’s heart. She was smart enough to recognize his kind.

  He turned the radio off. “So, what kind of job are you looking for?”

  She turned the radio back on. Her heart quickened as she glanced at the patch of silky brown hair peeking above the neckline of his shirt. Most actors waxed their chests. She hated that; real men had chest hair. Every inch of Teague Reynolds looked like a real man. And every inch of her wanted to find out for sure.

  His lids lowered, watching her eyes take him in. “Well?” One eyebrow perked up, ever so slightly.

  She felt her face turn red. “What?”

  He smirked. “I asked what kind of job you were looking for.”

  She looked past him, out the window. Now that she knew who he was, she was not interested. At least that’s what her brain was telling her; other parts were disagreeing. But no. No, no, no. He might have ten million women drooling over him, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of being number ten-million-and-one. She’d managed to salvage a little bit of self-respect through all the heartbreak she’d suffered. “I have a job.”

  “I thought you said you were going to see about a job back on Main Street?”

  Kate drew in a deep breath and got a whiff of warm, sexy male. How could someone so appealing be so annoying? No wonder Kimmie Cameron needed counseling. “Yes. I’m a school nurse, which pays squat, and I need something for the summer this year.”

  He rubbed his stubbly chin. “This year? But not usually?”

  “I never agreed to twenty questions.” She pointed a finger at him. “You’ve played a few too many cop roles.”

  He turned the radio down. “I’ve only asked you three questions.”

  She pinched the bridge of her nose and prayed for a dose of patience. She did not want to get to know this man; he might turn out to be even more enticing. “No, you asked me four.”

  “Fine. Ask me four questions.” He shifted in his seat to face her, his arms crossed, mouth smirking, and hair curling around his shirt collar.

  Kate exhaled, wishing the tight quarters in her Jeep weren’t forcing her to be so darn close to this guy. “Fine. Question one. What are you doing here in Willowdale?”

  He shook his head. “No comment.”

  “Hey, that’s not an answer,” Kate protested.

  Teague shrugged. “I didn’t say I’d answer, I only said you could ask. Next?”

  “Cheater!”

  He dropped his smile. “I am not a cheater. Those rumors aren’t true.”

  Trying to suppress a dramatic eye roll, she drummed the steering wheel. “Where are you going after here?”

  “L.A., then the Sunshine Film Festival.” He held up two fingers. “Two more.”

  “Did you really tattoo Simone Peters’ name on your butt?” She held her breath.

  He leaned toward her. “I’ll let you check to find out for yourself.”

  Kate closed her eyes, trying to convince herself she wouldn’t enjoy that assignment. “Who are you going out with now?”

  “No one,” he said, hesitating. “But I should check People magazine first to be sure. You never know.”

  His intense gaze unsettled her. She gripped the gearshift in the center console, hoping it would steady her wild, girly, hormones, which were screaming like she was in the second row at a Toby Keith concert.

  He looked at her hand. “Time for rock, paper, scissors?” He hovered one palm over her fist. “Paper beats rock every time.” His hand covered hers, swallowing it with big strong fingers. “That was easy.”

  She stared into his icy blue eyes, noting the amused and satisfied expression. She’d seen that look before; it made acid swoosh in her stomach. “I am not easy.”

  He arched one eyebrow. “No doubt about that.”

  TEAGUE HELD ONTO her as she tried to pull away. He liked the feel of her small hand in his. He imagined tracing his fingers across her palm, up her smooth, white arm. Or maybe he’d use his tongue. She looked down at her sandals and blushed like she knew his wicked thoughts. What was behind her resistance? Hell, women lined up for that kind of thing with him.

  He tried to remember the last time he was with someone who hadn’t been featured on the cover of Cosmo. He couldn’t recall, but it didn’t matter. Kate had an easy beauty that intrigued him. He’d twine her long, dirty-blond hair around his finger to see if it was as silky as it looked. No fancy highlights, either—it was her natural color. Kate seemed as simple and pretty as this little town. He frowned. A town that had just seriously complicated his life.

  He pulled his hand away. “How often did you come here as a teenager?”

  “Sounds like we’re moving on to truth or dare.” When she stared at him, he noticed the flecks of green and amber in her blue eyes, like someone had painted them in as a final, perfect detail.

  And that surprised him; he wasn’t used to noticing women’s eyes. Other parts were usually much more interesting. He leaned closer. “What color are your eyes? I thought they were blue, but now they look green.”

  She shrugged. “Blue-green, I guess.”

  What color are your eyes? Holy Pickup 101. Don’t flirt with her! He tugged a hand down his face and tried to shake off the feeling. Despite what the tabloids liked to s
ay, Teague was more talk than action. Okay. There was action. But he always made it clear that he wasn’t looking for a serious relationship and never would. That didn’t deter anyone from trying, though. So Kate’s resistance was a surprising turn-on. Teague usually got what—and who—he wanted. But Kate didn’t seem to want him. Huh?

  They stared at each other, as if in a standoff. And they both jumped when someone tapped on the window.

  “I guarantee no one will find us here.” He did a bad imitation of Kate.

  She sneered at him, glanced out the window, and slumped back. “It’s Chief Tommy Larsen. The very last person I need to see right now.” She turned and gave Teague a look that probably scared the hell out of students faking sick in her nurse’s office. “Thought he wasn’t looking for you.”

  Damn, she’s even cuter when she’s mad. “Didn’t think he was.”

  She rolled down her window. “Hello, Chief, what brings you out here today?”

  A tall, thick man peered in the window and lowered his shades. “I should ask you two the same thing. Who you got with you there, Katie? It’s awful early to be out here at Lookout Point. Remember?”

  She gave him a great big smile. “No, I sure don’t. You must be remembering all your other girls. Confusing me with Ellen, maybe?”

  Chief Larsen ran his fingers through his short, dark-blond hair. “We were taking a break, remember? Ellen happened during our break.”

  She crossed her arms, showing off her cleavage nicely. “That would’ve been something to mention when I asked if you’d dated anyone during our break. Lie by omission, isn’t that what they call it?”

  The chief sighed. “Stupid young men deserve a second chance.”

  “You want another go-round with an ex? Call Tonya. She’s still single.”

  The chief swatted away a fly and let out a long sigh. “Now you know that didn’t work. Only made me realize how much I missed you.”

  Kate shrugged and said, “How about Jeanne? The three of us gals all went out with LeRoy Jenkins. Although that was at the same time …”

  Teague sucked in a breath and she turned to swat at him. “Not like that. The three of us went out on separate occasions.”

  Teague nodded quickly like he understood, but he was mostly trying to shake the image from his brain.

  The chief continued. “Now you know how Jeanne feels about my brother. Besides, I’m just teasing. I know where you stand.”

  Don’t blame him for trying, Teague thought. I’d want a second shot with her. The idea startled Teague, but he shook it away. He had bigger problems than curiosity about kissing Kate; he had to figure out what to do about the baby.

  And didn’t that thought quiet the fire down below.

  “Aren’t there any missing cows to find? What are you doing out here?”

  The chief took off his sunglasses and polished them with a handkerchief. “Just making the rounds. Got a few reports of some suspicious vehicles in town.” He planted his hands on his thighs and peered in the window. “Now let’s get back to business, ’cause you didn’t answer my question. Who’s this here with you? He’s not giving you any trouble, is he?”

  Teague leaned past her and waved. “I’m an old friend in town for a visit.”

  The chief folded his arms. “An old friend from where? As I recall, most of Kate’s friends are from right here in town.”

  She glared at Teague. “Why don’t you explain? You tell such a good story.”

  He opened his mouth and let out his deep, rumbling laugh. “Well, you see—”

  The chief stepped back. “Teague Reynolds?” The chief pointed at him. “T-Rex! What are you doing here?”

  He’d been meaning to kill the ET reporter who came up with his nickname. He bumbled his words and fiddled with the empty soda can in the cup holder. “Well, like I said, I’m visiting Kate.”

  The chief laughed. “I must say I’m surprised. I knew T-Rex got around, but our own sweet Katie?” He rocked back on his heels and shook his head. “Can’t compete with a movie star. Maybe it really is time to give up the chase.”

  Teague was surprised to feel his hands fold up into fists.

  “No, it’s not what you’re thinking. Heck, you should know I’m done with men.” She frowned. “Guys like you and T-Rex, anyway. Now keep quiet about this. I don’t need people talking.”

  The chief pretended to zip his lip. “Don’t you worry. I don’t want to hurt you anymore than I already have. I might be jealous, but mum’s the word on your little afternoon delight.” He turned to leave.

  She tried to protest, but Tommy spun around. “Hey, T-Rex, did you really get arrested for skinny-dipping in a fountain with that supermodel out in Vegas?”

  Kate glared at Teague. “Hadn’t heard that one.”

  “Don’t believe everything you read.” She wasn’t a supermodel. Just a regular model, right? And a citation isn’t an arrest. He held up both hands, protesting his innocence. “You can check my record, Sheriff. No arrests. Clean as a whistle.”

  Chief Larsen clucked his tongue. “Too bad, I would’ve enjoyed that story. Well, looks like you’re getting lucky today.” He winked.

  Kate’s cheeks turned an adorable shade of red, which definitely made those blue-green eyes stand out. “I told you, we’re just sitting here talking. We’re about to leave.”

  “We are?” Teague asked. He’d been enjoying himself, forgetting all about the problem he was so desperate to hide.

  “We are now,” she growled.

  “In that case, I’ll escort you,” the Chief called back, climbing in the cruiser. He waited for Kate to pull out.

  She backed out of her spot and eased down the dirt road, a swirl of dust clouding their wake.

  Teague tried to fight back his smile. “So, you two were an item—”

  Her grip tightened on the steering wheel. “We’re just friends now.”

  “But you were?”

  “Twenty questions is over,” Kate snapped.

  “Where to now?”

  “I don’t know, but I should think about leaving town with you. That man has a big mouth.”

  Leaving town with him.

  The idea didn’t seem so bad.

  Chapter 2

  KATE CHECKED THE rearview mirror to make sure the Chief wasn’t tailing them. “How were you planning on getting back to the airport?”

  “Same way I got in—a cab.” He scratched his head. “But that’s out of the question now. The photographer will be looking for it.”

  “We’ve got three hours to kill.” She sighed. “I guess we’ll take the scenic route down Antique Alley. Let me know if you’d like to stop in any of the stores.” Sure Kate, he wants a tour of the local scenery.

  He stared out the window for a few minutes. “Did you grow up here?” he asked.

  Kate turned down the country road that led to the tiny airport in Whitesville. “Sure did. Lived here all my life.” Ramshackle shops and tiny diners dotted this road, along with the occasional farm. The mountains beyond made a beautiful backdrop. Most folks who lived along this stretch set out stuff for sale on their front lawns: fresh tomatoes and peaches, old bikes and kids’ wagons they’d fixed up, or yard sales that lasted all summer long. In between the homes were acres of farm fields. A far cry from Hollywood.

  Tourists often spent the weekend poking along the road to Whitesville, searching for treasures. Her heart stung as she thought of her mother and their own Saturday antiquing expeditions. Kate figured it had been Mama’s way of coping; like Depression glass could fix a depressing marriage. She pretended to study the big scrub trees, dripping with moss and vines, set back from the road. She didn’t want Teague to see the tears pricking her eyes.

  “Sure is a tiny place,” Teague said, as they stopped to let a line of cows pass.

  She smiled and waved to Farmer Peterson. “If it’s so small, what are you doing here, Mr. Big Time?” Not that she expected an answer.

  He ignored her. “Your family
still live here?”

  What’s left of it. She nodded and drove on once the cows had passed.

  Her mom had married George Riley when Kate was twelve. Kate and Mama took his last name, even though he wasn’t really her daddy. She never knew any other father than him, but she had never felt the love for him she imagined a girl would feel for a real dad. The kind of man who loved his wife and daughter enough to keep from chasing any pretty blonde who crossed his path. Redheads, too. One thing she could say about George, he didn’t discriminate.

  “I really appreciate this.” Teague smiled at her with one side of his mouth. Now that she knew who he was, she recognized that grin from many a magazine cover. She’d been known to toss a few of those rags on top of her grocery order when her lousy love life left her eager to gobble up some celebrity breakups.

  A bug splattered on the windshield and she flicked on her wipers. “Like you said, you’re paying me well.” She wasn’t going to let someone like Teague work his charms on her. She could thank Chief Larsen for that lesson. A pretty guy with pretty words was bad news. And Teague was pretty in every way. She needed a nice, simple guy who laid out his cards and didn’t play games. Hadn’t found a man like that so far. They probably didn’t exist.

  Teague pointed to a restaurant a little ways up the road. “Let’s stop and get a drink. I haven’t seen that SUV since we drove away from your make-out point.” One eyebrow arched.

  “Lookout Point. Some people just go there to look.” She pulled up to the Kissin’ Cousins diner and antique shop. It was far enough outside town that she thought it was safe. It’s not like she could take him in to the Jelly Jar in town. Half of Willowdale would show up to pose for pictures with him. Dolly Jackson would probably sneak off with him and hold him captive in her closet. “Want me to get something so you don’t have to go in?” She didn’t want anyone else to spot them together.

  Teague glanced out the window at the empty gravel parking lot. “Looks pretty quiet. I’ll take a chance. Can I borrow your ball cap?” He reached to the backseat for the baseball hat she’d tossed back there. “Or maybe the hubcap?” With a quizzical look, he held up the shiny silver disk.