A Temporary Courtship by Jenna Mindel

Author:Jenna Mindel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Darren was early and remained in the van. He wasn’t in the mood for today’s class. Maybe because Bree’s mom planned to go, and that put him under the microscope. Joan Anderson had a way of looking over her glasses at him, as if inspecting and then finding him lacking somehow. It put him on edge.

He’d entered field reports for the last couple of days into his laptop while waiting. The windows were down, but the breeze off the lake was much too warm for early May. Crazy weather. Cold then hot.

“Good, you’re here.” Stella didn’t wait for an invitation. She climbed right up into the front passenger seat.

He hadn’t heard her approach and chuckled. “So are you. What’s up?”

“I had to drop some letters in the mail, so I left the cottage early. Plus, I’m nosy. What’s going on with you and Bree? Joan says you’ve been spending a lot of time with her.”

Darren saved his document and then closed the laptop lid. “Simply showing her the sights as offered at your house over dinner.”

Stella gave him a satisfied grin. “Exactly. And?”

“And nothing.” But that wasn’t true. His attraction to her had started the minute they’d met. No matter how Darren looked at it, this relationship couldn’t end well. “It’s not like that, Stel. She’s a nice girl and all, but—”

Stella narrowed her gaze. “She’s no girl. She’s a full-grown woman who’s accomplished and professional.”

All the more reason why she wouldn’t stick around. “I realize that, but—”

“But what?”

Darren offered up the easiest excuse handy. “I’m not interested.”

Not interested in getting hurt. Not interested in becoming the object of disapproval from yet another Bay Willows family.

“Joan’s worried you’ll sweep Bree off her feet.”

Darren laughed. “Yeah, right.”

Stella lowered her voice. “You’re the kind of guy Bree needs.”

Darren took the bait. “And what kind is that?”

“The kind who will support and cherish her. You’re the keeper kind.”

Darren snorted. He wouldn’t keep well for two years while she chased after whatever it was she wanted. “What makes you think she’d keep me? She just got rid of her last boyfriend.”

“Yeah, finally.” Stella’s expression didn’t joke. She looked far too serious.

“What makes you say that?”

“He was very image-oriented. He treated Bree—” Stella suddenly stopped and waved out of the open window.

Bree and her mom pulled into the parking space next to them.

Darren nearly growled. Nice timing. It should have been enough to know that Stella didn’t like the way this guy had treated Bree, but it wasn’t. Bree had said that her parents had loved the guy.

He got out of the van and spotted crutches in the backseat of Bree’s car. As much as he wanted to talk to Bree, he needed to schmooze her mom a little. That meant putting to rest any fears Joan had about him sweeping Bree off her feet. As if he could.

He needed Joan’s stamp of approval when it came to job performance. He cleared his throat. “Hi, Joan. Do you need help getting in the van?”

“Thank you, but no, Bree will drive.

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