Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(106)

“Sure I can meet you. Tomorrow night? At Dewey’s? It’s a date.”


Chapter Twenty-one


The bell on the front door clanked.


India threw her sketchbook on the counter and stretched. Talk about a slow day. She slapped on a smile and entered the main part of the store, which showcased the Sky Blue product line.


“Good morning. Something I can help you with?”


The woman turned around. Carolyn McKay.


India tried not to let her smile slip. She’d known Carolyn for a few years, in a professional capacity, as India the saleswoman who tempted Carolyn with new Sky Blue products. Was she supposed to act differently now that she was dating Colt?


“Hi Carolyn. How are you?”


“Fine. And you?”


I’m dragging ass because your son f*cked me senseless and we didn’t use protection, so I could very well be pregnant with your grandchild.


Not a good answer. TMI, as Keely would say. “I’m good. You looking for something in particular? I’m afraid the lavender and sage hand lotion is backordered until next month.”


“Thanks for letting me know. But that’s not why I’m here.”


“Oh?” Brilliant response, India, maybe you oughta be totally stupid and her if she’s here for a tattoo.


“Did you have a good time at our house Sunday night?”


“Yes. The food was wonderful. Colt has always told me what a great cook you are.”


Carolyn beamed. “Really? Sometimes I wonder if any of my family pays attention to what they’re eating. It’s good to hear my efforts are appreciated.” She paused. “Do you cook?”


“God no. Seems pointless for one. I tend to go for fast and easy.” That hadn’t come out right.


A knowing look entered Carolyn’s eyes. “I see. My niece Chassie tells me Colt is a good cook, not that he’s invited his father and me over for dinner.”


Colt’s choice of dinner guests was not India’s issue. “He is a great cook.”


“He’s cooked for you?”


Crap. She’d fallen right into that one. “Yes. Since I can’t crack an egg, I have to reciprocate in other creative ways.” Ooh. And didn’t that sound totally suggestive?


“I’m sure.”


“That’s not what I meant—”


“And it’s not important. Anyway, I was surprised to hear you were dating my son. Aren’t there…rules against that sort of thing?”


India frowned. “Rules?”


“A.A. rules. About a sponsor not becoming intimately involved with a sponsoree.”


Carolyn was fishing. The relationship between the sponsor and sponsoree wasn’t spelled out on purpose, according to the A.A. guidelines. If she’d done any sort of research—and India would bet money Carolyn McKay had read up on A.A—she’d know that.


What Carolyn wanted was confirmation India was now—or had been—Colt’s sponsor. India wouldn’t betray that confidence, especially since early on Colt demanded everything about his A.A. life be kept from his family, as was his right.


India said, “With all due respect, Carolyn, I’m sure you understand I’m not at liberty to discuss A.A. business with you.”


“Oh sure. I just wondered. I worry.”