Redwood Bend (Virgin River #18)(29)

Leslie thought about this a second. “Maybe he’s still around?”

“Hmm. With some other girl, a little more willing than me, up on that hilltop? He said he’d be in touch. It’s been four days.”

“Does he seem like that kind of guy? A guy who would strike out with you and just find himself an easier target?”

“I don’t know, Les,” she said. “I can’t say I really know him. I got a strong sense of him, but that doesn’t mean I know him. The only thing he was really firm about is that he’ll never marry and have kids.” She gave a little shrug. “Anyone I get involved with has to take us all on.”

“Whoops. I guess you eliminated him first.”

“I told him he hadn’t done anything for me that qualified as a date yet.”

And Leslie spewed her tea as she burst out laughing. Katie couldn’t help but join her. “Well, at least he’ll have something to think about on his way out of town.”

“Totally,” Katie agreed.

And then there was the slow rumble of a motorcycle. They exchanged looks and they both went completely still. It seemed to growl through the town without ever accelerating or stopping. Neither of them could move. And then it came down Leslie’s street, stopping behind Katie’s SUV.

He casually braked, stabilized and dismounted, walking slowly toward the porch with his helmet in the crook of his arm, grinning pleasantly. “I thought that might be your car,” he said. “I checked at your place, but you weren’t there. Because you’re here, I guess.” He approached the porch and put one booted foot on the step. Katie loved those pointy-toed cowboy boots.

“Lost?” she asked.

“I was looking for you,” he said. He glanced at Leslie, whose mouth was hanging open. “Hi. I’m Dylan.”

“Hi,” she said in a whisper. Then she cleared her throat and said, “Hi.”

“This is Leslie,” Katie said. “My future sister-in-law. Les, this is Dylan.”

“Hi,” she said again.

Dylan chuckled. “I don’t see the twins. What are the chances they’re in jail?”

“They’re fishing with Uncle Conner.” She glanced at her watch. “I guess they’ll be back in an hour or so.”

“I was hoping you’d have a little more than an hour. I wanted to take you somewhere. And it’s a grown-up thing.”

“Where?” she wanted to know.

“It’s a surprise, but I’m convinced you’ll like it.”

“She’s covered,” Leslie shot in. “The boys are…um…they’re staying overnight. They want to…camp out in the backyard with Uncle Conner. Or something.”

Dylan lifted one curious brow. Suspicious.

“Can I talk to you for one second before you go?” Leslie asked Katie. “Inside?”

“Sure,” she said. “Be right back.” And she followed Leslie into the house.

They were barely inside when Leslie grabbed Katie and shoved her up against the wall. Her eyes were a little wild, which came close to frightening Katie. “Do you know who that is?” she whispered.

“That’s Dylan.”

“Dylan Childress,” Leslie informed her, letting go.

Katie chuckled. “I forgot, we’re the same age. The guys around here would never notice.”

“But you knew, right?”

She gave a short nod. “But I haven’t mentioned it and neither has he. And even though I was in love with him for a good five years when I was a kid, that has nothing to do with the guy I know now. I swear to heaven.”

“He thinks you don’t know?” Leslie asked.

She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m not squealing, screaming and throwing my underwear at him. I’m making him work for attention, like a regular guy.” Then she grabbed Leslie’s arms. “I’m not playing hard to get, Les. I’m just not laying down because twenty years ago he was a twelve-year-old’s heartthrob.”

“But…you’re glowing,” Leslie said. “Oh, my God, you’re glowing!”

“Pah,” she said. “I can’t imagine why—of all the Hollywood boys during our adolescence, didn’t he have almost the worst reputation? He acts like a regular guy, but I honestly have no way of knowing if he’s overcome all that naughtiness.”

“Oh, I hope not…I mean so, I hope so,” Leslie said. “You look pretty happy.”

“I might be pleased that he came looking for me, but I am not going to be fooled by a little showmanship. I’m a little warm, however.” She fanned her face. “Besides, he’s just going to say goodbye. Which is admirable, when you think about it. He could’ve just left and it’s not like I could chase him down and reprimand him.” Then she swallowed and said, “I should have a drink of water.”

“I’ll keep the boys overnight. We’ll grill hot dogs. Watch a movie. I’ll bring them home on my way to work in the morning. You can get them into fresh clothes for summer program. And after work? I’ll be wanting every detail! Every single detail!”

“I don’t do that to you, do I?”

“Totally different!” Leslie said. “Conner is your brother. And Dylan was my secret boyfriend for years.”