Read Man of the Month (Willowdale Romance Novel) for Free Online Page A

already?”
    He rubbed his hands together. “I was thinking of all the tall guys I know . . .”
    She sighed.
    “. . . tall, like you said, and I remembered the guy who lived next to me in college. Found him on Facebook. He’s lives in Whitesville, and he’s excited to meet you in February.” He shoved his hands in pockets and gave her a cute-as-pie look.
    “You did all this and made prosciutto-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese while I was eating lunch?”
    He held his arms open. “What can I say, J? I’m good with dates.” He straddled a stool and scooched the platter of appetizers out of her reach as she walked toward him. “Plus, you promised. And this guy even has a job.”
    “Ooh, big time. A job.” She scooted over and snatched one more date, then unloaded the pie supplies from the shopping bag onto the big stainless steel island in the middle of the room. “I don’t know. Ask me again next week. I’m still trying to wash last night’s fiasco out of my brain.”
    “I’m going to be hearing about this forever, aren’t I?”
    “When I want to get my way on something, yes, you will.” She grinned and pulled out two pie dishes from the drawer under the island. “So, Kate mentioned the residential center is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year. Why don’t we find out if they’re having a party? See if we can cater it?”
    “Great. I’ll give them a call.”
    She cracked an egg against her favorite glass bowl—the one she’d used growing up with Aunt Betty. Creations from that bowl were the only source of happy memories from her childhood.
    “How much business do we need to bring in to actually make some real money this year? We’re not still working off our savings, right?”
    He scratched his head. “I’ve got to really sit down with the books and flesh out all the numbers.”
    She walked behind him and squeezed his shoulders. “I’m so glad I can count on you.” This was what she wanted. Someone she could have fun with. Someone she could trust. Someone to build a future with. Right—a future without kids. She took a step back.
    “I’ve gotta get started on these pies.” Jeanne moved her supplies and set up her workstation at the other end of the kitchen—partly because her messy work habits usually left Brad humming to himself, just like he did when things weren’t quite under his control—but mostly to keep him out of touching distance.
    Though no amount of space could put him out of her thoughts.
    BRAD HATED to do it, but he hauled the platter of dates into the police station later that afternoon, hoping to drum up some business courtesy of his brother. Dolly waved him in, and he set the tray on her desk.
    “What have we here?” she asked, eyeing up the goodies.
    “New appetizer we’re trying out. Let me know what you think. My brother in?”
    Dolly’s fingers hovered over the platter as she decided which one to pick, and with two shiny red nails she plucked a big date. “He is. I’ll call him for you.” She popped the date into her mouth and groaned. “Mmm. Luscious. And the dates are good, too.”
    She winked at him and called for Tommy, then sampled a few more dates, licking the tips of her plump fingers.
    Didn’t have the same effect as when Jeanne did it.
    “Who let you in here?” Tommy asked, thumping Brad on the back. He looked at the platter and narrowed his eyes at him. “You come bearing food? You’re not in trouble are you, bro?”
    Oh, he was in trouble, but not the kind Tommy was thinking. “Just testing out some new samples, trying to drum up some business. Police department got anything coming up?”
    “Yeah, all eight of us in the department have a big shindig planned tomorrow, Dolly’s been killing herself with the plans.” Tommy rolled his eyes. “Come on back to my office, let’s talk.”
    “I’m not appreciated around here,” Dolly hollered. “You’ll be sorry some day when I’m gone!”
    Tommy folded his big body