Harlequin Special Edition June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 by Allison Leigh

Author:Allison Leigh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

When Brandon left Rancho Esperanza after talking to Marissa, he wanted to go anywhere but home. Thirty minutes earlier, he’d left the twins and their puppy with Leanne Hendrix, the rosy-cheeked widow who lived three doors down from him. Leanne had moved in six months ago, and she’d already proved to be a good neighbor—one of the best.

“I’m going to see a friend,” he’d told her before leaving his house. “So I might not get home until late. There’s leftover spaghetti in the refrigerator.”

“I brought some homemade chocolate-chip cookies for dessert. So don’t worry about us. And don’t rush on my account. If you’re not home before eight, I’ll get them ready for bed. Then I’ll watch TV until you get back.” She scanned the living room. “Where are the little munchkins?”

“They’re in the backyard, playing with Max. I’ve already told them I’m leaving.”

“So get going.” She lifted her hands and shooed him toward the door. “I’m glad that you’re finally getting out. You need to do that more often. I just hope that friend is a lady.”

His smile had given his secret away, but that hadn’t concerned him. Leanne Hendrix was more discreet than most of the people who took a personal interest in his love life. And another plus, she didn’t socialize with either Carlene or Betty Sue.

They’d be all over him, wondering what had happened, how his new romance was unfolding. But whatever he’d thought was happening between them had hit the wall.

Sure, the kiss they’d shared had convinced him that they had chemistry, but it hadn’t swayed Marissa at all. He’d left the ranch feeling confused, frustrated and embarrassed. But rather than go home early and let Leanne know that he’d crashed and burned, he’d stopped by Sully’s Pub to kill some time.

He’d no more than stepped in the door when his good friend and local firefighter spotted him.

“Hey, Dodd!” Greg Duran called out, as he motioned for him to join him at his table. “I thought you’d given up the party life for good.”

When they were teenagers, neither of them had been what you’d call party animals. They’d both played football for Fairborn High and had tried to stick to a healthy regimen as student athletes. Brandon had graduated as the valedictorian, while Greg had come in a close second. Then they’d both gone on to the University of Wyoming, where they’d kicked up their boots a bit. But in their junior year, Uncle Ralph had suffered his serious injury, and Brandon had filed an incomplete and gone home to help at the market.

Now, as Brandon pulled out a chair at Greg’s table, he asked, “What are you doing? Are you all by yourself?”

“I met Joel Braddock here, but he got a call from his wife, and she wasn’t very happy that he’d forgotten their anniversary was tonight. I figured I’d finish my beer, then go home.” Greg motioned for the waitress to return to the table. “How’re the kids doing?”

“They’re doing great.” Brandon wasn’t at all surprised that Greg would ask.

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