Operation: Tempt Me
Page 25
Oh hell!
****
Emma wanted to avoid as many people as possible since she still wasn’t in a socializing mood, so this trip into town would be quick. It was early, but people already mulled about Merridien Street, sipping coffee, having conversations, pushing strollers. With her foot a little heavy on the gas, she roared through town, leaving her truck running as an excuse to escape the clutches of Mrs. Galway’s matchmaking powers.
“Always on time, Emma. Too bad you weren’t early though,” Mrs. Galway noted with an edge of excitement to her voice as she cradled the box that held two dozen of Emma’s favorite, long stem white roses. They were pure and simple, just like love should be.
Emma knew she shouldn’t inquire but curiosity got the best of her. “Why’s that, Mrs. Galway?”
“Because you just missed the most handsome fella. The customer who ordered these roses arrived early. I told him he could wait but he said he needed to get something to eat. If you wait a few minutes, I’m sure he’ll be back very soon.”
Emma laughed and kissed Mrs. Galway’s cheek. “Remember what I said, Mrs. Galway. I can make my own dinner dates. My truck’s running. Got to go.”
“You always have an excuse, young lady. I didn’t see a wedding ring,” she whispered as though they were conspiring to run the guy down the aisle.
Emma placed her hands on her hips and stared at the woman. “The man is buying special roses for another woman. Wedding ring or not, I’d say he’s taken. Besides, a lot of men don’t wear wedding rings now-a-days.”
“And what a shame that is. If my Neal ever stopped wearing his ring, well, I’d be heartbroken of course.”
Emma sighed and patted the older woman’s hand. “He would never do such a thing Mrs. Galway. But in today’s world men go without so they don’t get hurt on the job. You know, catching it on machinery.”
“Nonsense. My Neal worked every day with his ring and never lost a finger for it. If you ask me, youngsters today don’t know what true love is all about.”
Oh oh. Warning bells!
“Everyone’s so rushed and don’t even take the time to eat supper together,” Mrs. Galway complained.
Emma admitted that it’d be nice to have someone to eat with other than her cat. She made a mental note to feed her cat, Freckles, as soon as she got home. Damn, he was going to be pissed that she’d forgotten him this morning.
Mrs. Galway continued her rant while Emma felt obliged to give the woman a few minutes. The old lady sure did live for romance.
“Maybe you have the right idea after all, Emma, dear.”
That snapped her out of her thoughts. “What do you mean?”
“Since your generation has lost the ability to be romantic, I think maybe you have a good idea to stay by yourself out on the farm. I mean, if today’s men can’t even wear a symbol of their love, then what’s a woman got to look forward to?”
Hot wild sex—oh jeez, there goes thoughts of Finn again.
“Well, I happen to envy you and Mr. Galway, since he obviously still adores you after all these years.”
Mrs. Galway’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “And I him. Oh dear, look at me carrying on like I don’t have work to do. My special customer should be back any second.
Damn! When did the woman become so sneaky? Emma should’ve guessed that her ramble was her well-planned scheme to match her with some stranger. That was Emma’s queue to leave and quick.
“You have a good day.” Emma rushed from the store, ignoring the pleading look Mrs. Galway sent her.
Emma jumped into the truck and sped off toward the comfort of home. She didn’t care how many handsome strangers were in town. She only wanted one man, as impossible as that was, and he was nowhere to be found. Damn!
She promised herself that if she ever heard from Finn again then she’d come clean about the real her. She’d reveal all of the deceit and, if he chose never to speak to her again, then that’s what she got for participating in her stupid friends’ ideas. But how long would only having Finn online satisfy her? How long could she continue their erotic conversations with no physical touch? That was all something she would just have to deal with another time as she focused on the road. She knew she should be upset or even worried considering the dangers of Finn’s job, but anger boiled through her veins. Finn better have a real good reason for not keeping in touch with her.
A real good reason.
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