Free Till I Kissed You by Laura Trentham Page A

same goal. That’s all this is.”
    Cade’s lip curled with his hum. “Don’t forget that you’re wining and dining the representative from Nautical Engines Friday night.”
    â€œI’ve already got reservations at the Cottonbloom Country Club.”
    Cade fit the wrench to a bolt and torqued it, but kept his gaze on Sawyer. “I know we don’t have a dress code around the shop, but…”
    â€œI’ll shave and get gussied up.” Sawyer rubbed his jaw and smiled. “The beard’s starting to itch like a patch of cockleburs anyway. Don’t worry, I’ll close the deal.”
    Cade’s other partner, Richard, had planned to fly in from Seattle, but his son had made a last-minute request for some time with his father. Richard had been torn between business and family, but Cade made the ultimate decision, putting family first and his trust in Sawyer. Even though Sawyer had been successful at the auto parts factory and had full confidence in his own abilities, the little kid inside of him wanted to make Cade proud. For too many years, Cade had been as much a father as a big brother.
    He watched the clock the rest of the day, wondering more than once if the damn thing was broken. Once the engine he’d been working on was buttoned up and pressure tested, he ran the back of his arm across his forehead. The shop was air-conditioned, but hard work was hard.
    If he didn’t care like he’d told Cade, he would head straight over to Regan’s shop to look at the letter, sweat be damned. Instead, he pointed his truck back to the farmhouse to get cleaned up.

 
    Chapter Seven
    Regan tapped the end of the pencil on the desk, her chin propped in her palm. The rough sketch in front of her was only half-done and covered in eraser marks. Her morning client might not notice, but Regan liked to be prepared with several options, and she’d only completed two.
    It was hard to concentrate on whether the couch belonged under the bay window or facing the big-screen TV when so many other thoughts swirled. Mr. Neely had called to let her know he would reinspect the businesses along River Street in the morning and move along to her street the following afternoon.
    She prayed they could wrap things up before next Thursday’s town meeting. Labor Day was less than three weeks away and she had multiple lists that needed to be completed and too many things that needed to be ordered. Unless she wanted to bankroll the festival herself, the budget had to pass.
    A knock sounded, and she bolted upright on the stool. Padding barefoot across the floor, she straightened her skirt and blouse, ran her tongue over her teeth, and smiled as she peeked around the shade. Monroe stood on the other side, her nose pressed against the glass and her eyes crossed.
    Regan slumped over with a small laugh and unlocked the door. Monroe grinned on her way in. The woman had turned into a ray of happiness since Cade had moved back. While Regan was beyond happy for her friend, especially after the harsh details of Monroe’s childhood and Cade’s role as her hero had come to light, the constant smiles and cheeriness could get irritating. Maybe because it highlighted what a desert Regan’s love life had become.
    â€œSaw your car. Thought I’d see what you were up to.”
    Regan led the way to her cramped office in the back and closed the bottom drawer of her filing cabinet. “Want to come over for popcorn and a cheesy movie this evening?”
    Monroe propped herself against the doorjamb and slipped her hands into the pockets of her sensible slacks. “Not tonight. I’m actually meeting Cade for a late dinner.”
    â€œWhere are y’all going?” Regan leaned back in her cushy office chair.
    â€œWe’re staying home, actually.” A pretty blush tinged Monroe’s cheeks. If she had ever entered the pageant circuit, she would have won every competition.