Falling for You by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Author:Kathleen Y'Barbo [Y'Barbo, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications
Published: 2015-03-08T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Hey, Bud, it’s almost time.” Gus slapped Bud on the shoulder and grinned. “You’d better not be thinkin’ you’re gonna pair off with my granddaughter for a kiss come midnight. You hear?”

“Until tonight, I would’ve said that’s about as likely as you pairing off with Fanny.” He grinned. “Say, what was it you said about never marrying again?” Bud gestured to Gus’s date, who was currently in the kitchen with Dottie Jean, Leota, and Sue Ellen talking women talk. “Looks like you might have forgotten to tell someone. From what I hear, Fanny sure doesn’t know.”

“Did I hear my name?” Fanny waved from the kitchen. “Are you boys watching the clock?”

Gus gave Bud a look, then turned to face his date. “We’re letting you women watch the clock.”

“Don’t count on me, Grandpa,” Sue Ellen called. “Far as I’m concerned, midnight’s just the time the clock chimes. It certainly doesn’t mean anything special.”

There was no missing the look Sue Ellen gave him. He almost grinned when Dottie Jean swatted at Sue Ellen with a dishtowel. Words were exchanged, but in a whisper. From their expressions, it looked as though Dottie Jean was explaining to Sue Ellen just how wonderful Bud Briggs was.

Or at least he hoped that was the case.

“How ’bout you and me take this conversation a little farther away from the females?” Gus headed for the front porch and motioned for Bud to follow.

Bud stepped into the brisk air and sucked in a deep breath. Somewhere between dessert and now, the temperature had plummeted. Tomorrow morning’s run would be a good one, but he’d probably need a second layer under his sweatshirt.

Gus took up pacing and only stopped when the door closed behind them.

“Here’s the thing, Bud,” Gus said. “I figure I’m about done for in the wife department. I had me the best, and we spent a lot of good years together.”

Unsure of the correct response, Bud kept it neutral. “I reckon you did.”

“I’m not sayin’ that a body don’t get lonely. And my wife, rest her soul, she made me promise I’d marry up again if I felt the Lord a-leadin’ me to it.” He started pacing again. “I figured I could ease my way through what’s left of my life here on earth without having to worry about any of this. Then the competition started.”

“Competition?” Bud chuckled. “Over you?”

“Yeah, I know.” Gus halted his pacing. “It don’t make no sense, does it? The trouble all started when the new widow woman came to town.”

“You mean Miz Ledbetter?”

“That’s the one. Ever since she came to town, Fanny’s been working twice as hard to get my attention. Guess she thinks she’s got to best the sheriff’s sister-in law.” He shook his head. “Faeoni Ledbetter’s a fine woman, but I don’t cotton to her or Fanny as the next Mrs. Caldwell.”

“If you’re not looking, Gus, why’re you here with Fanny?”

He shrugged. “I figure to nip this silliness in the bud. If I pay attention to Fanny, maybe Faeoni won’t think she’s got a chance and will drop out of the race.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.