Cindy Kirk - Ready, Set, I Do!

She rolled her eyes, waved a dismissive hand. “Bobby has a girlfriend. Besides, after that fiasco with Josh, I’m not feeling particularly charitable toward old high-school classmates.”

“A+ for you,” Winn said, and made her laugh just as Elena appeared with their salads.

“Thanks.” Hailey offered the woman an extrawarm smile. “This looks delicious.”

“Yes,” Winn added. “Much appreciated.”

“The woman is a saint,” Hailey confided once Elena was out of earshot. “I don’t know how she stands—”

She stopped, as if suddenly realizing she was speaking to the son of the man she was about to disparage.

“Don’t stop on my account.” Winn offered a humorless chuckle. “I’d be the first to acknowledge my father is a difficult and complex man.”

That was all he’d say on the matter. As tired as he was of the dog talk, he wanted to discuss his father even less.

Hailey took another big gulp of sangria. “I love dogs, don’t you?”

On second thought, perhaps discussing his father wasn’t such a bad idea. “I haven’t had much contact with animals.”

Hailey set down her glass, tilted her head. “Surely you had a dog growing up?”

“You’ve met my father. You know how particular he is about his home, his possessions. Does he appear to be the type of man who’d tolerate a slobbering, hair-shedding, shoe-chewing creature in his home?”

Hailey put a finger to her lips, drawing his attention to her full sensual mouth. “You’re right. Definitely not a dog person.”

“From what I’ve observed, a pet of any kind is a big responsibility.” Winn placed the linen napkin on his lap with a preciseness that was as much a part of him as his hundred-dollar haircut. “Are you certain you have time for an animal?”

“Absolutely. With Josh out of the picture, my social life is officially nonexistent.” Hailey gave a humorless laugh. “I have a great deal of free time. And I get lonely. Don’t you?”

“Not really.” As a child he’d often been alone, felt alone even when he’d been in a group, but that had been long ago. Now he simply valued his privacy and liked being able to keep everything in its place. With sudden horror, he realized he was very much like his father in that regard.

“After we finish eating, you can come and check out Bandit with me.”

Winn started to shake his head, until she took his hand in a friendly, companionable gesture.

“Please, Winn. If I take him home, Bandit will be your neighbor.” She squeezed his hand. “I really want your opinion.”

Her flesh was warm against his skin and Winn had to resist the urge to curve his fingers around hers.

“I’ll give you whatever you want.” His tone came out husky with a suggestive undertone.

Their eyes met and held for a long moment.

The sudden twitch of her lips broke the mood. She expelled a little giggle. “For now, I’ll settle for your opinion...though I’ll reserve the right to ask for more.”

Before he could respond, Elena returned briefly with another glass of sangria and a refill of tea.

Hailey smiled warmly at Elena, raving about the salad.

Winn listened with half an ear. He couldn’t help wondering what Hailey’s version of “more” would involve. Not that it mattered. All Winn knew was if he did get involved with someone in Jackson Hole, it wouldn’t be with a woman who reminded him of his greatest mistake.

* * *

Hailey crouched and petted the black-and-white dog that thumped his fluffy tail on the ground while licking her outstretched hand. She glanced up at Winn. “Isn’t he the cutest thing ever?”

It was just the two of them in the barn. When Bobby recognized him as Jim’s son, he handed Hailey the leash and hurried off.

Winn continued to keep his distance. Though he had no personal experience with dogs, he’d heard they liked leather. His shiny Ferragamo loafers were not meant for the inside of a dog’s mouth. Not only that, he could practically see the hair falling from the animal as Hailey rubbed his back.

Winn took another step away. The last thing Winn needed was to show up for his afternoon meeting with dog hair all over his suit. “He appears to be molting.”

Hailey laughed, a pleasant sound reminding him of the soft ringing of bells. “The days are getting warmer. His thick coat kept him comfy all winter. Now he’s shedding some of his hair for the summer months.”

Didn’t she realize if she took the animal home, he’d be dropping that hair all over her condo? Winn shuddered at the thought. Not in my home, he thought. Not in a million years.

“Do you want to come home with me, Bandito?” Hailey crooned and the dog let out a little whine. “Will you come home with me and be my boy?”

At those words, the molting bundle of fur and slobber leaped up and emitted a series of sharp staccato barks.

Hailey looked up at Winn and grinned. “I knew it. Bandit and me, we’re a perfect match.”

She looked so pretty and so pleased with herself that Winn was tempted to step closer and pull her into his arms. Instead, he shifted his attention to the dog. “You’re going to take him?”

“Absolutely.” She clipped the leash on the dog’s collar and straightened. “I’d best get him out of here before your father returns.”

“Isn’t he the one who wanted the dog gone?” Winn’s confusion resurfaced. “I think he’d be ecstatic you’re taking him.”

“The dog was supposed to be gone long ago. Bobby thought he had a home for him, but the person backed out. The only option was the pound and Bobby couldn’t bring himself to take Bandit there.”

Winn thought of his father. Of the man’s exacting standards. His zero tolerance for disobedience.

“You’re right. My father would be upset the dog is still here. When he gives orders, he expects them to be followed.”

He was helping Hailey load the dog crate into her SUV when his phone rang. He slipped it from his pocket and checked the readout. It was an Atlanta area code but a number he didn’t recognize. “Do you mind if I take this?”

Hailey glanced up from where she stood soothing Bandit in the transportation crate. “Not at all. I need to get going any—”

“Don’t leave,” he said, then answered the call. “Winn Ferris.”

“Mr. Ferris. This is Charles Keating with Keating, Exeter and York. We’re a law firm in Atlanta and we’re handling Ms. Vanessa Abbott’s estate. You have—”

As Winn listened to the attorney talk, bile rose inside his throat and an icy chill enveloped him. He forced himself to breathe.

When Mr. Keating paused, Winn cleared his throat and located his voice. He asked questions and received answers but it all seemed surreal. The call ended with Winn promising to take the first flight to Georgia.

“Winn. Is something wrong?”

Even Hailey’s warm touch on his arm couldn’t begin to reach the chill.

“I have to leave for Atlanta right away.” He met her worried gaze. “I need to pick up my son.”

Chapter Three

Fried chicken on the stove and garlic-cheese biscuits rising in the oven filled the large country kitchen with delicious aromas. For as long as Hailey could remember, cooking had been one of her mother’s passions. And the woman was a master.

Kathy Randall motioned for her daughter to add more milk to the potatoes she was whipping. In her late fifties with dark blond hair cut in a stylish bob, blue eyes and a perpetual twinkle in her eyes, Hailey’s mother loved life and it showed. “Are you telling me Winn Ferris has a son?”

“So he said.” Hailey frowned and resumed chopping broccoli for the salad. Though there was no reason Winn had to tell all, she fought back a twinge of irritation. “It’s kind of a big secret to keep.”