“It’s been nearly fifty years, but I remember it like it was yesterday. He came calling in a surrey.”
“That old surrey that is still in the barn?”
“That’s the one. Matthew rarely used that old Ford he had. He was a terrible driver.”
“He still is.”
“Don’t let your father hear you say that. Anyway, he had the finest pair of matched horses I’ve ever seen. They were black. He was wearing a white suit and a Panama hat and carrying the biggest box of chocolates I’ve ever seen. I fell in love with him on the spot.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Jumping up, he gave her an exuberant kiss, then bounded toward the door.
“Tanner Donovan, where are you going? You haven’t even had your breakfast.”
“I don’t have time. I’m going courting.”
o0o
Amanda had taken advantage of the Monday morning lull in business to climb into her shop window and set up a new display. She heard the commotion on Washington Street a mere second before Maxine raced toward the door.
“Good Lord! Amanda, look at that.”
Leaving the mannequin half naked, she walked to the front of her window and looked out. There, dressed in a white cowboy suit, white boots, and the biggest white ten-gallon hat she’d ever seen, was Tanner Donovan. He was sitting in an ancient surrey with faded fringe on the top, and beside him was a foil-wrapped box nearly as big as he was. The surrey was pulled by an ornery, slow-moving old mule, and traffic was backed up behind him for two blocks. But nobody seemed to mind. Folks were hanging out of their car windows, cheering and whistling; and Lard Pritchard, the Washington Street traffic cop, was tooting his whistle, waving his white-gloved hands at the gathering crowd on the sidewalk and grinning as if it were already Christmas.
Amanda hooted with laughter.
The surrey drew to a stop directly in front of her shop. Tanner stepped down, stood in front of her window, and swept off his hat.
“Madame, I’ve come to sweep you off your feet.”
“Tanner Donovan, you’ve tried tricks before. I’m not budging from this window.”
“In that case I’ll have to carry you.”
The crowd cheered as he rammed his ten-gallon hat back onto his head and strode into her shop.
CHAPTER FOUR
Amanda stood staunchly in her window, but the minute Tanner entered her shop, she felt as if she’d been pulled into the middle of cyclone. She was determined that he wouldn’t know it. Putting the mannequin between them, she laughed.
“You look ridiculous in that hat.”
Tanner tipped his hat back and smiled up at her. “I was hoping for irresistible.”
“You missed it by a country mile.”
“Then why are you hiding behind that dummy?”
“I’m not hiding.” She quickly busied her hands draping the mannequin in an antique ruby silk dress. “I’m dressing this poor naked creature.”
“I’d offer to help, but I’m better at undressing.”
“No doubt.”
He closed in, trapping her in the window. “I’ve come to take you for a buggy ride, Amanda.”
“I’m not going.”
“I’ll make you change your mind.”
“Not till hell freezes over.”
“Madame, hell is about to freeze over.” He planted one white boot on the display window. Amanda felt the floor shake under his weight.
“Are you crazy?”
“Yes.”
“Get your big feet out of my window before the whole thing falls down.”‘
“My granddaddy built this store. It can withstand a hurricane. Say yes, Amanda.”
“Never!”
Another huge white boot came into view, and while her mouth was still forming words of protest, Tanner stepped onto the window platform with her.
Outside, the crowd cheered. Inside, Maxine let out a rebel yell.
“Hot damn, Tanner! We haven’t had this much excitement around here since the mayor’s wife lost her half slip at the Fourth of July picnic.”
Amanda glared at her over the top of the mannequin. “You and Nero would have made quite a team, Maxine. You stand there cheering, and I’m about to lose my life in this rickety display window.”
“I was thinking more in terms of your virtue.” In two bold moves Tanner pushed the mannequin aside and pulled Amanda into his arms. Another cheer went up from the crowd pressed around the window, and Maxine let out a dramatic stage sigh.
As Tanner bent closer, Amanda saw the twin sparks of mischief and desire in his eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Wouldn’t I?”
He was so close, she could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek. Her thighs felt scorched where they touched his. Before she could be seduced by Tanner, she regained her fighting spirit.