The Reluctant Beauty(27)

“Bosses you around, too, I see,” Peg’s father said with a gruffness in his voice.

“You’re a lucky man, Mr. Newbury.” He shook hands.

“Thank you, Captain.”

“You, too, Mr. Rhoades. She’s loyal and honest, to a fault,” he smiled, “but with a heart bigger than the state of Texas.”

Austin swallowed hard. He didn’t have to have this guy point it out; he’d seen it. The problem was, he’d seen it and had been sucker punched in the gut with it.

He should be headed out of town, away from people, out of the spotlight. Somewhere where he could lie on a hammock away from crowds and figure out if staying in the band and being on the road for the rest of his life was the answer for him.

So why were his feet rooted to the spot and why was he falling hard and fast for this sassy, leggy, spitfire?



***



“Success,” Peg said, as they ushered out the last of the soldiers and their loved ones. Griff, carrying baby Ruby and with Priscilla at his side, led the families toward the luxury buses to bring them back to the house and hotel to get ready for the big ball tonight.

“Great job, once again, Peg,” Charlie, the owner of King’s and her friend, said, giving her a squeeze around her shoulders. “Remind me to give you a raise.”

“Ah, Boss, you kinda sorta did already.” Peg cringed at the thought of how much merchandise her family had used overnight and how much the King family allowed her for a new wardrobe. Rico had pulled a pile of clothes for Peg, and that was just for starters. Receipts were stacking up.

She had yet to see the evidence, but Rico assured her he’d deposited the new duds in her office until her place was back to normal and she could move back in. For tonight, she and her family were invited to bunk at Charlie’s house.

“Think of it as a bonus.”

Peg steered Charlie away from the departing backs of their guests and looped her arm in her boss’s and headed for the floor. “Look, pal o’ friend. I got to tell you, it was thousands of dollars in product. I’ll pay it back—”

“Quit, will you? You’re family, Peg. We help each other.”

Choking up, Peg said, “Geez Louise, you’re gonna make me cry, Boss. Thanks, for everything. Place to stay tonight, too.”

“Dolly will love the company. The more the merrier with her. You know she’s been trying out new recipes, right? She and Marcus are putting a cookbook together for King’s.”

“Mamma Mia, I gotta get in on the taste testing. I just gained five pounds thinking about it.”

They chuckled, coming upon the employees straightening up the store.

“Great job, everyone,” Charlie called out, waving.

“Thanks,” one called back.

“We had a great time,” another one said.

When Charlie lagged behind to say a few more words to some, Peg told her she’d meet up with her later. But, for Peg, she headed to the housewares department.

Getting off the escalator, she sighed heavily, bracing herself for the coming meeting. She loved her family, but right now she didn’t need their constant badgering for her to get married and start popping out babies.

The area was empty. She frowned. “Strange. This is where we planned to meet up.”

“They’re gone.” The sound of Austin’s voice yanked her to her left. He pushed away from the display counter and walked toward her.

There it was again. That fluttery feeling in her chest. “I…where…” She stuttered, and then stopped. What was the use, anyway? Staring at him was good enough.

He smiled, halting within two feet of her. Reaching out, he brushed back a flyaway hair and tucked it behind her ear.

She shivered at his touch.

Austin trailed a hand down her cheek. “So soft.” Leaning in, he kissed her lips, gentle and with a tenderness she’d never experienced before. “So sweet,” he whispered, his breath tickling her mouth.

“You…don’t have to do this. There’s no one around to see. No pretending.” Geez Louise, she sounded lame.

“When it comes to kissing you, there’s never been a moment I did pretend.” He captured her gaze and held it. “It was all real.”

She gulped hard. “Me, neither, music man. No pretense here.”

He stared long and hard. Heat whooshed through her body and pooled somewhere near her solar plexus.

“For criminy’s sake,” she muttered, breaking the spell.

Moving away, Austin snatched up his black duffel bag. Pulling out his cell phone, he showed her the screen. “Twenty-seven frantic messages. The band.” He sighed; weariness seemed to surround him now. “I have to put out some fires. And maybe start some more.”