Bachelor at Her Bidding (Bachelor Auction Book 2)(22)

He was about to go over to her when he heard Carol Bingley, the pharmacy owner, say from behind the counter, “Such a shame when a woman can only get a date if it’s bought for her.”

Rachel didn’t say a word, but Ryan could see her shoulders hunching, as if she were trying to make herself invisible. Clearly she knew that Carol’s bitchy comment was aimed straight at her.

Anger splintered through him.

In most cases Ryan would simply ignore anything the town gossip said. But this time Carol had gone way too far. What right did the woman have to pass judgment on anyone? And why did she have to be so mean all the time?

“On the contrary, Mrs. Bingley,” he said coolly. “Sometimes people don’t date simply because they’re busy professionals and they just haven’t had time to look for a partner. Like Dr. Cassidy, here. Or me.” He held the pharmacy owner’s gaze. “For your information, Rachel’s sister and her friends didn’t buy her a date with me. They bought her a birthday dinner – and they raised money for a very good cause at the same time. A cause I sincerely hope you’ve been supporting as well.”

Carol’s eyes glittered and she opened her mouth, clearly about to dispense more bile.

He got in first. Just to make sure she didn’t hurt Rachel again. “But actually, they did us both a favor. They introduced us when we wouldn’t have had the time to introduce ourselves to each other. And if you were implying that Dr. Cassidy could only get a date if someone bought it for her, then you couldn’t be more wrong. Because I can assure you that Rachel Cassidy is an incredibly desirable woman.”

He strode over to Rachel, took her hand, spun her into his arms and then bent her backwards slightly while he kissed her. Extremely thoroughly. She tasted of vanilla and coffee, and her mouth was so warm and soft and responsive. His skin tingled where it touched hers, and he couldn’t help pulling her closer.

By the time he broke the kiss, they were both shaking and some of the customers were cat-calling and whistling.

He straightened up and looked Carol straight in the eye. “It’s a pity my grandmother never taught you, Mrs. Bingley. Because she would’ve told you to think about what you say before you open your mouth. To think about whether what you’re just about to say is truthful, helpful, necessary or kind – and if the answer is no to any of those points, then don’t say it at all. Maybe you should try that in future.”

Carol was almost puce, but for once she was mercifully silent.

“Well said, Ry,” one of the other customers said.

And suddenly everyone else in the pharmacy was actually clapping.

Rachel looked shell-shocked; and Ryan knew he needed to get her out of here before Carol recovered and came back with some spiteful comment. So he simply put his arm round her shoulders and guided her out of the shop.

*

Rachel still couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Ryan Henderson had kissed her stupid in the middle of the pharmacy – in front of Carol Bingley, of all people.

How to spread gossip in ten seconds flat.

Panic lanced through her. She’d hated people gossiping about her at the hospital when her marriage to Nick had collapsed. The last thing she wanted now was to be the focus of gossip in Marietta, however well-meaning. She didn’t want all the knowing looks and the whispers or, worse still, the obvious change of subject when she walked into a room.

“Thank you for standing up for me, Ryan, but I was handling it,” she said coolly.

“By ignoring that woman and letting her say what the hell she liked, however bitchy and uncalled-for?” he asked.

“Everyone knows what Carol is like and nobody really listens to her venting her spleen.”

“Or maybe,” Ryan said, “she’s just a regular bully and someone needs to tell her to stop. I get what you mean about ignoring spite, but sometimes you need to speak out.”

“Speak out?” She sighed. “People are certainly going to be talking about us now.”

“So?” He shrugged. “Let them.”

“What if it gets back to my family?”

His eyes widened. “So you’d be ashamed to date me?”

“No, of course not.” She sighed. “Look, Ryan, I’m divorced.”

“I know that. And I also know that your family and friends all worry that you’re lonely, and they try to fix you up with someone who’ll mend your broken heart.”

“Something like that,” she agreed wryly. They’d all be thrilled at the idea of her dating Ryan Henderson. And then when Ryan realized the same thing that Nick had – that she wasn’t enough for anyone to really love – she’d have to deal with the fallout.

“That makes two of us.”

She blinked, trying to work out what he meant. “You’re divorced?”

“No. Lucille and I didn’t get round to getting married – but our breakup was just as messy as if we had been. And since I’ve been back in Marietta people have been trying to pair me off.”

“I’m not looking for another relationship,” she said.

“Neither am I. I can’t give my heart to someone and just ride off into the sunset with her, not when Gram needs me.”

“So where does that leave us?”

He spread his hands. “Right now, I’d say on the corner of Main Street and Second in Marietta, with a few passers-by looking at us and speculating.”