Chapter 6
6
Bailey
B ailey could feel his gaze on her. Each excruciating passing second only made it more difficult to stand there near Shane and wait for him to finish his speech. When she’d gone into his office asking for more hours, she’d been thrilled to hear him tell her he had a special project he could put her on. She wasn’t in charge by any means, but he’d greenlit the additional hours he’d be giving her.
Why, oh why, did she jump at his offer before getting the whole picture? Of course, he’d tell everyone who came into his building that he wanted their help. More volunteers meant there would be a better chance of beating his record from last year.
She had been a fool to think she wouldn’t have to interact with the cowboy from across the room. There was still a chance she wouldn’t have to deal with him. She could cross her fingers and make a wish that they wouldn’t be put in the same group.
That was her only hope.
It wasn’t that she hated him. How could she hate anyone who was trying to give her money? It was the way she’d treated him—the way she’d inferred that he was only doing it because he wanted something from it.
Warmth started creeping into her face at the embarrassment of it all. She still stood by her opinion. She wasn’t going to take anything from him or anyone else, for that matter. Bailey had been raised to understand that she could only count on herself. She’d learned her lesson the hard way that she couldn’t even depend on a spouse for security.
She clutched her hands together tight, causing her fingertips to go numb. Her embarrassment soon morphed into something else—a niggling irritation that she couldn’t ignore. Defensive walls sprang up around her as she finally shifted her gaze to that cowboy. Surprisingly, he wasn’t looking at her. That didn’t mean he hadn’t planned this. It was more than likely that he knew she would be at the meeting. She worked at the club. Of course she would be there.
The idea that he’d done this to frustrate her ate at her core. The second Shane had released everyone with plans to meet again on Saturday morning, Bailey pushed her way through the dispersing group. The cowboy was quick on his feet. He was outside and at his truck by the time she caught up to him.
Tapping him on his shoulder, she steeled herself for a confrontation like the one they’d had the other day. He glanced at her over his shoulder, then back to the keys in his hand. “Is there something I can do for you?”
She wanted to stomp her foot indignantly, but she restrained herself. “I told you to stay away from me.”
He looked around as if he were surprised. “I’m sorry, but I’m confused. Weren’t you the one who came up to me?”
Her face all but burst into flames. “You know what I mean.”
“Do I?” he said darkly. “I’m pretty sure I did exactly as you asked. You don’t own the club. You’re not in charge of the toy drive.”
She gritted her teeth, her jaw aching painfully.
“In case you haven’t noticed, we live in a pretty small town. Unless you get a restraining notice, I might bump into you occasionally. And for the record, I had no idea that you were going to be part of this project.”
“Liar,” she snapped.
He lifted his brows. “For someone in your profession, I have to admit you’re a little bit of a…”
“Of a what ?” she demanded, the heat in her face overwhelming. When he didn’t respond right away, she released an infuriated laugh. “I don’t know what your game is here, but I don’t like it.”
“There is no game,” he said flatly. “I’m the kind of guy who wants to be involved with my community.”
She scoffed. “Or you’re a guy who gets a kick out of stalking a defenseless woman.”
“You’re hardly defenseless,” he said wryly. “I’m sure you have a boyfriend lurking around somewhere. Maybe you should give him a call?—”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
There was a moderate amount of surprise in his eyes, but it quickly faded.
“And I don’t need one, so don’t even attempt?—”
His darkened gaze locked with hers, and his jaw tightened. He leaned forward slightly, and the whole world crumbled beneath her feet. She caught her breath at his nearness. In this moment she felt like they were the only two people in existence. His voice lowered so that no one would be able to hear it even if they were within a few feet of them. “I have zero interest in being your boyfriend.”
Bailey stiffened, mesmerized by his eyes. When he withdrew, she exhaled, her lungs screaming from being restricted. The way he’d said it—the way he’d looked while saying it—now she couldn’t tell if she was disappointed or relieved.
If she wasn’t already under so much stress, she probably wouldn’t have batted an eye from his offers. She would have politely refused. Unfortunately, her stress had magnified all her insecurities. She pressed her lips into a thin line for a moment. Then she said the only word she could muster. “Good.”
A few days later, the air felt colder, heavier, as Bailey marched up the steps to the country club. Most of the people who were involved in the toy drive were volunteers. There were only a few who were getting paid.
Was there a chance that Shane had offered to pay her for her efforts because he pitied her? Yes, but she knew better than to ask him. Right now, she was desperate. She didn’t have the money to advertise for her real estate services, and at this point she wasn’t sure her broker would continue to let her practice in her firm. If she didn’t find the money to get her name out in the world, then she wouldn’t be able to work another listing. Then she would be stuck with whatever hourly job she could get her hands on.
A sigh built up in her chest. Everything was just getting to be too much. The energy it took to keep a smile on her face when her daughter talked excitedly about the holidays drained her. Maybe she should have taken the money that cowboy had offered her. At least then there would be a little wiggle room for her finances.
In the conference room, there were fewer people than at the meeting a few days ago. She frowned, wondering if people had dropped out or forgotten they’d signed up. Her gaze swept through the room, her heart thundering.
No cowboy.
The beating slowed and she took another calming breath, hating the twinge of disappointment that came with the relief. Perhaps she’d scared him off. Well, great. Now she just felt guilty. He should have the same opportunities to volunteer as she did.
She moved to the front of the room where Eloise Owens was going through some paperwork. Shane’s wife glanced up with a smile. “Hey, Bailey. How’re you doing today?”
“Great,” Bailey murmured. “I thought Shane was going to be here.”
Eloise chuckled. “He has some meetings in the city. But don’t worry, you’re in good hands. This whole project was actually the brainchild of both of us.” She placed a hand over her baby bump. “Not that we needed anything else to think about right now.”
Bailey smiled. “I remember when I was pregnant with mine. I can’t say it gets easier, but it’s definitely worth it.” She motioned to the paperwork. “What have you got there?”
“Oh, just the names of the people who signed up and the list of things we have to do before Christmas. We’re going to split up into partnerships and tackle a lot today.”
“Sounds fun!” Bailey had just uttered the words when she sensed a shift in the air. It was more than the heater coming on or a draft of cold air from an open doorway. The sensation wrapped its claws around her chest and squeezed. She knew before lifting her gaze what she would see.
The cowboy leaned against the far wall, arms folded, ankles crossed, and a smirk on his handsome face. His eyes bore into hers, and then he touched the brim of his hat as if mocking her. She sucked in sharply. Maybe she wouldn’t be assigned to him. There were still plenty of volunteers in the room.
“Okay, everyone. I’m going to go over the plan today and then split you up into partnerships. Ready?” Eloise’s voice was surprisingly strong for such a petite woman. Everyone tuned into the instructions, but all Bailey could do was think about the brooding cowboy on the far side of the room. She didn’t know his name. How was she going to know if she got paired up with him until it was too late?
“Okay, now, for the groups.” Eloise started calling out names, pairing individuals together in a seemingly random way. “Bailey? You’re going to head out with Erica.”
Bailey breathed out a heavy breath. He definitely wasn’t an Erica.
“Eloise? I’m sorry, but Erica couldn’t make it. She’s got a sick kid at home,” a voice called out from the group.
Eloise looked down at her clipboard. “Okay, then. Bailey, you can pair up with Carter.” She continued going through the list.
Bailey glanced to the back of the room, but the cowboy had zero reaction to any of the names called. She couldn’t tell if he was Carter. When everyone paired off with their instructions and their partner, she expected hers to come find her. But no one did. The room cleared out, and then she had her answer.
There was only one man remaining.
Carter .
At least he didn’t seem all that thrilled about being paired up with her. They could agree on one thing. Neither one of them was happy with the situation.
“Come on,” Bailey said. “Let’s get this over with.”