Charming Hannah (Big Sky #1)(6)

“Are you a virgin?” Jenna asks, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a thread of mortification in her voice.

“No.” I laugh again. “Definitely not a virgin. I just don’t have time to date. People around here keep having babies.”

“I get it,” Jenna says. “I don’t date much either.”

“Are you still running the bed and breakfast on the mountain?” I ask, relieved that the conversation has diverted from me.

“I still own it, but I hired a manager to run it for me. I purchased a few other vacation rentals last year that I take care of, and I have a new secret project.”

“Spill it,” Grace says.

“Well, keep this between us. Brad, Max, and I have bought some property up near the ski resort, and we’re building tree houses to use as vacation rentals.”

“Will renters have to bring sleeping bags and know the password to get in?” Grace asks.

“No, not that kind of tree house,” Jenna says with a smile. “High end, super fancy tree houses. There will be three of them, and I’m hoping to start renting them out this winter.”

“Well, I can’t wait to see this,” I say.

“We will host a viewing party when they’re done and invite our friends to come see them before we open them up for rentals.”

“So cool,” Grace says. “Jacob mentioned to me that he sold a large lot just off of one of the ski runs.”

“That’s us,” Jenna says. “I can’t wait to show them off.”

Thankfully, the subject turns to work and we trade stories. Grace has hilarious student stories, Jenna has all kinds of tales about horrible renters, and I always have fun tidbits from the babies I’ve delivered.

It’s fun to spend time with friends and laugh. I don’t remember the last time I did this.

And, of course, my phone rings with a call from the hospital.

“Looks like someone is having a baby tonight after all.”

“Do you have to go?” Jenna asks.

“I do. But thanks for hanging out with me tonight. It was fun.”

“Here’s my number,” Jenna says and presses her business card in my hand. “Text me and fill me in on your date with my darling brother.”

“Make it a group text,” Grace says with a sassy smile. “I want to hear all about it, too.”

“If more babies decide to come, I might have to cancel.”

“Don’t cancel,” Grace says. “I will punch you in the throat if you do. You need this.”

“You’re quite violent,” I reply and reach for my handbag. “Stop threatening to assault me.”

“Stop threatening to cancel your date with Chief Sexypants.”

“I’m so going to start calling him that,” Jenna says with a laugh.

“I won’t cancel,” I say, laughing with them. “I mean, who doesn’t want a date with Chief Sexypants?”

“Exactly,” Grace says.





Chapter Two


Hannah

I MADE IT OUT OF the office on time, and so far, none of my patients are in labor.

It looks like the Fates have decided that this date is a for sure thing, and I’m actually really excited about it. Brad and I have known each other for a while, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m attracted to him. Chief Sexypants is an accurate name for him. He’s tall and broad, with wide shoulders and kind green eyes.

And a really, really great ass.

I can’t believe I’m finally going out with him. All day today I felt like I was having heart palpitations and giant eagles in my stomach from the nerves. It’s not that I’m shy, I’m just out of practice.

And I wasn’t terribly good at dating before either. Add that to being out of practice, and only bad things can result from this.

I’m standing in the middle of my bedroom, naked, looking around blindly because I don’t know what to do next.

I pick up my phone and call my cousin, Abby.

“Are you ready for your date?” she asks when she answers.

“I’m naked.”

“I didn’t think you were a first date sex kind of girl, but whatever floats your boat, sweetie.”

“Funny.” I roll my eyes. “I don’t know what to wear. Abby, I only have clothes that I wear to work. And I haven’t done laundry in about three weeks, so all of my good underwear are dirty. I can’t wear period underwear on a first date.”

“No. You can’t. So go commando.”

“That’s seriously not sanitary,” I reply and frown at the phone.

“Why? You’re wearing clean pants.”

“I’m an underwear person,” I reply. “And all of mine that are clean are ones I wear when it’s shark week.”

“Well, you’re not planning on letting him see your underwear anyway, right?”

“True. And if by some miracle our clothes do come off, I’ll just have to make sure it’s in the dark so he can’t see my panties.”

“I don’t think he’ll really care about your panties if you’re letting him get inside of them,” she says reasonably. I step into my panties and then frown at my feet.