Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(16)

He reluctantly raised his gaze to where she pointed. “That’s why they’re called estimates.”

She flashed him a smile. “You’re such a numbers guy.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

She pointed at another list. “Our tasting schedule.”

She went on about food and maybe even wine, but he was busy thinking about another kind of tasting. One that involved his mouth and her body and lots of moaning.

In an effort to distract himself, he glanced at a list of what looked like craft projects. The word birdhouses had several question marks next to it.

“For the kids?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I can’t decide. A birdhouse can be built in a single day. The glue doesn’t take long to dry. We could finish them in the morning and then paint them that afternoon and the next morning.”

“Interesting.”

“Now the lecture series,” she said, pointing to the chair by the desk.

He sank onto the seat. She settled across from him and handed him pages she’d printed out on her computer.

“I think these are the most interesting so far. This man is an astrophysicist. He talks about the origins of the universe in terms laypeople can understand. He’s supposed to be funny and relatable.”

“Our clients aren’t the science types,” he told her.

“Well, I think he’d be really interesting, but I thought you might say that.” She handed him a second sheet. “What about a race car driver? He’s very successful on the Formula 1 circuit. I looked him up online and he has a few really funny videos.”

The car guy had more appeal, but Sam wasn’t feeling it. “How many women are interested in cars?” he asked. “Even racing? Taryn’s going to say it’s not anything she wants to listen to.”

Dellina sighed. “I can hear her tirade already,” she admitted. “Darn. I thought this was it.”

Sam raised his eyebrows. “Darn?”

She smiled again. “I don’t swear in front of clients.”

“A good policy.”

She stood up suddenly and hurried to the wall where she scribbled a few words. He studied the list and saw it was items she had to research or questions she needed to get answered. Like “Does Castle Ranch have a first aid kit?” and “Confirm none of the children have food or sunscreen allergies.” She was thorough, he thought, wondering why he’d resisted hiring her for so long. Sure their night together had ended badly, but she was good at her job and he respected that.

The sound of someone knocking on the front door was followed by a female voice calling, “It’s me.”

Dellina turned. “My sister Fayrene,” she said.

A petite blonde walked into the office. She was pretty, with hazel eyes, but what caught his attention was the small fluffy dog who walked next to her.

Dellina turned. “Hi,” she said, then nodded to Sam. “I have a client meeting.”

He rose. “Sam Ridge.”

Fayrene’s eyebrows rose. “One of the football players. Nice. Fayrene Hopkins. This is Caramel. She’s a Pomeranian.”

Dellina finished writing and faced her sister. Her gaze dropped to the small dog. “She’s adorable. Pet-sitting?”

“Yes. Oddly enough, Mayor Marsha brought her to me.”

“I didn’t know she had a dog.”

“Me, either.”

Dellina crossed to the small animal and let Caramel sniff her fingers. “You’re too cute for words,” she told the dog. “Can I pick her up?”

“Sure. She’s superfriendly and really well behaved.”

“Hey, pretty face,” Dellina said in a low voice. “You want me to pick you up?”

Caramel gave a little half jump as Dellina reached for her. Dellina snuggled her close, then laughed when the dog licked her chin.

Sam eyed the fluffball and wondered how much she would shed on his clothes. Although he had to admit, Caramel looked pretty cute. More teddy bear than dog. And she seemed to have a decent personality.

He’d never had pets growing up. His house had been wild enough with three kids and his not-quite-normal parents. A dog or cat wouldn’t have stood a chance.

Dellina’s cell rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at the screen. “I have to take this. It’s about another lecture possibility. I’ll be right back.” She handed Caramel back to Fayrene and ducked out of the room.

Fayrene looked at him.

Sam saw that the sisters had some similarities. The same shape to their faces and the set of their shoulders. Although Dellina was a few inches taller, which he liked. He remembered what he’d been told.

Fayrene took her sister’s chair and smiled at him. “So, you’re a man.”

Sam immediately glanced toward the exit. No conversation that started like that was going to go well, he thought grimly. Maybe he and Dellina could wrap up the rest of the details over the phone.

He cleared his throat. “Yes.”

Caramel wiggled free of Fayrene and jumped into his lap. Before he knew what was happening, she’d planted her tiny back feet on his thighs, her front feet on his chest and was staring at him expectantly.

“What?” he asked as he stared into round dark eyes.