Chapter 13
13
"You want to go on a date?"
Hank almost lost an eye at how fast Jo’s head had snapped up.
"Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do," he said, rubbing his sore brow. Her head was pretty hard.
"But—"
"But nothing. I’ll pick you up tonight. I’ll even come in and let Collin give me the third degree if he wants to before we leave. Then we’ll have a nice dinner, talk, and then I’ll bring you home and kiss you goodbye on the doorstep."
He’d said all of that at once to keep from giving her any space for argument. Because she would argue.
"You will." Her skeptical tone matched the look in her eyes. "You’ll be okay with leaving me on the doorstep?"
She didn’t have to be so disbelieving. He could kiss her and not want more. Well, that wasn’t quite true. But he could force himself to behave. So…
"Yes, I can." This was going to work between them, and the only way he could ensure that happened was to make Jo feel comfortable in the relationship. "People will get used to seeing us together, and?—"
"Yeah, see, that’s what I’m worried about." And it was there, in her hazel gaze. He’d have to fix that.
"What’s there to worry about?"
She snickered at that.
"You’ve never lived in a small town before, have you?"
"No." Denver was pretty big, and he’d only known his immediate neighbors. "But what does that have to do with anything?"
"Hopefully nothing," she said, while footsteps sounded from above and her eyes widened with excitement. "He’s back." She hopped off the table and rushed away from him and up the stairs. He went after her and stopped at the bottom of the steps. The kid did not have good timing. "Collin."
A few seconds later, Collin’s voice came from the other side of the door, "It’s not been two hours yet."
Hank stood waiting, watching.
Hoping.
"I know, but you have to let us out."
" Mom , you guys?—"
"Wait…" He held his breath as she hesitated, before glancing over her shoulder at him. "You don’t understand," she said, staring down at him. "I have a date to get ready for."
"Michael’s has really good food," Jo said from behind her menu. Then she peeked over the top and gave him a smile. "Mags and I eat her a lot."
"She seems like a good friend."
"She is. She’s my best friend." From her expressive eyes, it was obvious she loved the other woman. "Along with Colleen and Faith too, of course. But Mags and I, we’re more like sisters."
"I understand. I still have a group of friends in Colorado that are the same way."
"Colorado?" Her brow crinkled. "That’s a big jump to Parson’s Ridge. How in the world did you end up here?"
The wine they’d already requested was placed in front of them, breaking in on what they were saying.
Dammit.
"Are you ready to order?"
"Jo?"
"Mmm…" She looked at the menu again, then back at the waiter. "The filet medallions with the mushroom and wine sauce, and…" She pursed her lips. "The wild rice risotto and asparagus."
"That sounds good. I’ll have the same."
"Very good."
The man took their menus. At least now she had nothing to hide behind.
"So," he said. "How does a guy from Colorado wind up in a small, mountain town in Georgia?" He took a sip of his wine, then set it back down and looked into her eyes. "He turns down a university teaching job with a fast track to tenure, and one that would make a lot more money, so that he can make a difference with younger kids."
"But why Parson’s Ridge?"
"Internet ad." Strange how something so simple had changed his life. "It looked like a nice town, I could handle the pay, and the school had a good reputation."
"Wow, I’m impressed. Not many?—"
"Well, look who’s here."
Jo stiffened and her face blanched at the woman’s voice from behind him. Seconds later, she appeared at the side of their table. He’d seen her before. She was… Oh, yeah, the sour-faced woman at practice who’d ended up being Dennis Snodgrass’ mother. He couldn’t remember her first name.
"Carolyn," Jo said. "It’s nice to see you."
"Yes," Carolyn said. "I’m sure it is. And it’s interesting to see you here, and with Dr. Lawton." Hank had seen Jo happy, aroused, aggravated, and several other emotions. But he’d never seen the current look on her face before. It was pure dread mixed with a whole lot of true anger. He didn’t like it. "I guess the rumor is true then."
"What rumor," Hank asked, looking between Jo and the woman looking down her nose at them. The man who he had to assume was her husband, stood meekly by not saying a word.
"Why, the one about you and Jo here, of course." She turned her accusing stare on Jo. "So much for your denial that anything was going on between the two of you."
"There’s no rumor," Jo said, her words hard. "Only perhaps among you and your friends . And my business is my business and not up for commentary."
Hank stood. He didn’t like the idea this woman thought she could be intimidating to him or to Jo. Plus, he didn’t like her.
Carolyn’s eyes flashed up to his. Not that he towered over her, but he was taller.
"Jo and I are here for a private dinner. I would assume you and Mr. Snodgrass are as well. And since neither of us wants you here, I’ll just suggest you can go to?—"
"Hank…"
He wasn’t about to say what she obviously thought he was going to. Not that it hadn’t entered his mind.
"Your seats and enjoy your evening, just like we plan to do."
Ms. Snodgrass flicked her gaze at Jo, then back to him.
"Yes," she said. "By all means, you should enjoy this meal, and I’ll see you Monday night at the PTA meeting." And then she was gone.
"Bitch," Jo muttered, then grabbed her wine and took a hearty drink of it.
"I have to agree," Hank said, retaking his seat. "What is her problem?"
"Basically, me," she said, with a white-knuckled grip on the stem.
"Well, just so you know, basically you is my favorite person."
PTA meetings.
Hank had never attended one. Now he knew why. It was boring, with a second helping of boring, and then another slice of boring on top of that.
The only bright spot from where he leaned against the wall at the back of the auditorium was Jo. She at least managed to make the marketing spiel of selling mattresses as a fundraiser seem like a good idea. And it probably was.
And, yes, he’d probably buy one.
The only thing was, she had yet to really look at him, and he couldn’t say that didn’t disappoint him. Especially after the weekend they’d had.
And, no, he wasn’t including Friday night sex. Although it was one of the highlights. But the rest of the weekend…
After Ms. Snob grass had left them alone, he’d managed to get Jo smiling and laughing as their meal had progressed. And, as promised, he’d walked her to her front door afterward and kissed her goodnight.
Then he’d driven home and taken a long shower.
He had to admit, getting an invitation to come over Sunday had been a surprise. Of course, the invite hadn’t come from Jo, but from Collin. He’d asked him to come over and watch college basketball.
He was liking that kid more and more.
And the best part of the day? It wasn’t Hank’s team winning, which they did. It was having Jo sitting beside him the whole time.
"Now, if there’s no other business…"
Jo’s comment over the microphone grabbed his attention. Good, this was about to be over and they could go get something to eat.
"I have a motion to bring in front of the parents and board."
Who was that? He peered out toward the front of the auditorium at the woman standing with her back to him. Was that…
"Yes, Carolyn."
"I move that Jo Webster be removed from her position as PTA president."