Leanne Banks - Maverick for Hire

He watched her slice her hand through the air and say no. The man appeared to walk away reluctantly. Nick walked the rest of the way to the table and sat down with the drinks. “What was that about?”

“Some guy came up. I didn’t know his name. He asked if he could buy me a beer,” she said and took a sip. “I told him no. I don’t know who he is.”

Nick groaned. “Cecelia, you don’t just cut a guy off at his knees when he offers to buy you a beer.”

“But I didn’t know him,” she said. “He could be an ax murderer. Or married.”

“I’m not sure which is worse,” he said, rubbing his chin. “But you’re trying to get a date, so when a guy offers to buy you a beer, your answer should be yes.”

Cecelia frowned. “What if I don’t want a beer? Or what if I don’t like the way he looks?”

“Too bad. You have to at least give the guy a chance.” Nick shook his head. “This is going to take more work than I planned.”

“I’m not sure it’s going to work, period,” she said.

“You put on the lipstick and a guy approached you. You can’t deny that, can you?”

Cecelia nearly squirmed in her seat. “No,” she said in a low voice. “And I’m not wearing this lipstick to work.”

“A deal’s a deal,” Nick said. “You agreed to try my plan in order to improve your nonexistent love life.”

Cecelia squinted at him. “You are hard on my ego.”

“I am not. You’ve got everything you need to make the guys come after you. You just need to learn a few tricks, and I can help you with that. Day after tomorrow, I want to take a look at what’s in your closet. Do you even own a dress?”

Cecelia dropped her jaw. “Of course I own a dress. A black one for attending funerals.”

“Oh, Lord, I can imagine that’s a hot number,” he said and waved his hand when she opened her mouth to protest. “Day after tomorrow.”

“If this is so important, then why are we waiting?” she asked.

Nick smiled. “Because I have a date tomorrow night.”

“Of course you do,” she said and took a sip of water. “What have I gotten myself into?”

* * *

Two days later, a knock sounded on her door and she opened it to Nick. “Hi,” she said. “How was your date?”

“The food was okay,” he said, squinting. “Chewy chicken, but she tried.”

“How soon did you leave after dinner?” she asked.

“Ten minutes,” he said.

She shook her head. “Oh, Nick, that was harsh.”

He shrugged. “I fixed a leak under her kitchen sink.” He stepped inside her room. “Show me your closet.”

Cecelia winced as she led him to the small closet in her room. She opened it and he immediately began to fan through her clothes...flannel shirts, jeans, jeans and more jeans. Jackets, jackets and more jackets. He paused at her long black dress and sighed then flipped through several more hangers.

“I’m not seeing anything that has a hem above your ankles except this funeral dress,” he muttered.

She shifted from one foot to the other. “Dresses and skirts aren’t practical in my line of employment.”

“Well, you need at least a couple,” he said bluntly.

“That’s ridiculous. I’ll freeze,” she said.

“Wear boots and stockings, like other women do,” he said and shrugged again.

She frowned. “I don’t have the budget for a new dress.”

“I do,” he said. “So either you pick it out or I will.”

She scowled. “I don’t have to time for shop for a dress.”

“Then you’ll get whatever I choose,” he said.

“Okay, okay,” she said. “I’ll go into town next week.”

“How about now?” he asked.

She sputtered and crossed her arms over her chest. “I have things to do.”

“Like what?”

“Tomorrow I have to get up early to help with the kids’ soccer games,” she said.

Nick tapped his watch. “It’s five-fifteen,” he said. “I know you’re not planning to go to bed before nine. Come on. Let’s go to Kalispell. If we get moving we can knock this shopping off the list and be back in no time.”

“Won’t everything be closed?” she asked, uncomfortable at the prospect of trying on dresses for Nick.

“They have a new department store that stays open till nine. Come on. Let’s go.”

“You are really determined, aren’t you?” she asked.

“I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. Plus I don’t want Rust Creek Falls to lose you just because we need to wake up a guy or two. I have a goal to get you a date. Or two. Or three,” he said. “We can grab a burger on the way.”

Cecelia joined Nick in his pickup truck and they squabbled over which radio station for a few minutes. Nick wanted to listen to college football and she wanted some music to calm her nerves. She was starting to wonder if she’d made a mistake by agreeing to follow Nick’s advice to get a man. She sure hadn’t counted on him giving her cosmetic and wardrobe advice. Jeez, she hadn’t even realized guys thought about that stuff. Especially a man’s man like Nick.

She stole a glance at his hard profile and sank lower in her seat. Well, her best friend, Jazzy, had gotten herself into a so-called pretend marriage that had become very real. Cecelia sighed. So, maybe she was going to have to be more open-minded. Even if it killed her.

A half hour later, Nick pulled into the parking lot of the nationwide department store. Her stomach took a dip. “Maybe you should wait here,” she said.

“Oh, no,” he said. “You might go in there and find something my grandmother would wear.”

“Shame on you,” she said. “Your grandmother isn’t even alive.”

“Exactly,” he said and put the truck in park. “Let’s get this done.”

Cecelia reluctantly climbed out of the truck and joined Nick as they walked into the department store. She shoved her hands into her pockets and, after looking at the signs, headed for the ladies’ department.

One sales associate was straightening a table of sweaters.

Nick pointed to the woman. “Let’s talk to her.”

“We could look around first,” she said, her nervousness increasing.

“No need. Hello, miss,” he called. “We’re looking for a dress. And maybe a skirt,” he said.

The woman looked from Nick to Cecelia. “For you or her?” she asked.

Cecelia looked at Nick and treasured the discomfort on his face. “Her,” he said. “Definitely her.”

The woman with a name tag that said Debbie nodded. She gave Cecelia an assessing glance. “Size six or eight,” she said. “What’s the occasion?”

“She’s got a couple of dates coming up,” Nick said.

“Let me find you a few things to try on,” the woman said and led the way through the racks of clothing.

Moments later, Cecelia stood in the dressing room with a load of dresses and skirts. Tugging off her clothes, she pulled on a dress. A knock sounded on the dressing room door, startling her.

“Your friend would like to see your dress,” Debbie said.

Cecelia made a face at the mirror then took a deep breath and walked to just outside the room. Nick glanced at her and shook his head. “Dress needs to be shorter.”

The sales clerk stepped toward them. “This could take a while, sir. Perhaps you would prefer to take in a game at the sports bar next door.”

Nick hesitated a moment. “Okay,” he said. “Find me when you’re done. Just don’t pick out anything my grandmother would wear.” He walked away.

Cecelia breathed a sigh of relief.

“Now,” Debbie said. “Let’s move on to the next selection.”

Twenty-five minutes later, Cecelia walked out of the department store with a dress and skirt she didn’t hate. Both had been on sale, and Debbie had secretly given Cecelia her employee discount. She felt a little more confident after purchasing the two garments.