Susan laughed. “Let’s just say it’s evenly divided.”
Jamie slung the strap of her tote over her shoulder. This, she thought, was exactly why she and Trevor had made a point of being discreet about their dates, choosing restaurants and movie theaters in different towns. Apparently, their efforts had been a waste of time.
“Everyone is talking about us?” she asked.
“Everyone,” Susan replied cheerfully. “Martha Godwin says she thinks Trevor will be a good influence on you. She says he might even convince you to tone down your hair color. She thinks you’ll be a pretty good stepmom, with Bobbie to guide you, of course. Nellie Hankins is appalled that anyone would even consider getting involved with a McBride, but she supposes you’re as good a match as any for them, considering you’re an actress, and everyone knows what kind of life they live.”
Jamie didn’t know whether to cringe or laugh at Susan’s wicked summation of the local gossip. “With friends like you…”
“I just thought you’d want to know what’s being said. But, if it makes you feel any better, most folks around here have gotten to really like you since you’ve moved back, and they think you and Trevor make a nice couple. I tend to agree with that point of view, by the way.”
Shaking her head, Jamie accompanied Susan out of the church and into the parking lot. “Something tells me Trevor’s going to hate this. He seems to have an especially strong aversion to gossip.”
“Can you blame him? He’s a McBride.”
“Yes, I know. But they have all been model citizens lately. Lucas has been cleared of all suspicion of murder, Savannah’s a respectably married mother, as are Emily and Tara. Trent’s an air force officer and Trevor’s a devoted father and a respected attorney. The old scandals have surely faded in most people’s memories.”
“Old habits die hard around here. Folks still talk about Trevor’s great-grandfather, who was suspected of running a gang of horse thieves. And the gossips do hate losing their favorite targets. They’ll keep watching the McBrides and hoping for some juicy new development. They’re thinking you might be just that.”
Though she knew Susan was only trying to be helpful by sharing what was being said about her, Jamie didn’t like what she was hearing. Trevor was skittish enough about their developing relationship as it was. If he heard that she was the catalyst for renewed gossip about him, he was likely to bolt. And she wasn’t ready for that just yet.
JAMIE DREW a deep breath when the doorbell rang just after noon on Tuesday. A quick check in a wall mirror let her know that her hair was reasonably tidy, and her deep-scooped white T-shirt was neatly tucked into her short khaki skirt. Her legs were bare except for the leather sandals that revealed her silver-painted toenails. Trying to look as if she’d given hardly any thought at all to her appearance, she flung open the door. “Hi, Trev.”
“Hi.” He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “You look very nice.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you were free for lunch today. When I called to invite you, I half expected you to be too busy.”
“Actually, it’s a slow day at the office. Mom and Dad left this morning to meet their new granddaughter, and my next appointment isn’t until three o’clock. Your invitation was a nice surprise.”
She was delighted to hear that—and to discover that he didn’t have to hurry back. “How is the new grandchild?” she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
“I talked to Blake this morning, when Alison was only five hours old. According to him, his daughter is the most beautiful and talented child ever born. He’s wrong, of course, since my own children already hold that distinction, but I allowed him to hang on to his illusions.”
“That was very generous of you.”
“I thought so.” And then he changed the subject. “Something smells good.”
“I just took some rolls out of the oven. It’s so warm out today, I thought we’d have a light lunch. Chicken salad, fruit and wheat rolls.”
“Sounds good. Much better than the burger I was expecting.”
“Then let’s eat. Everything’s ready. Feel free to take off the jacket and tie, if you like. I don’t run a formal dining room.”
She didn’t wait to see if he followed her teasing suggestion, but turned to walk into the kitchen. He joined her only moments later. She had just retrieved a pitcher of iced tea from the refrigerator, and she deliberately tightened her grip to keep from dropping it when she looked at him. Trevor had shed his jacket and tie, had unfastened the top button of his white shirt and rolled the sleeves up on his forearms. She didn’t know whether he’d run a hand through his hair, or whether it had fallen onto his forehead when he’d removed his tie, but it looked sexily tousled now.
The guy was gorgeous, she thought with a silent, wistful sigh. It was all she could do not to wrap herself around him right there in her kitchen. “Sweetened or unsweetened?” she asked, indicating the tea pitcher in her hands.
Trevor gave her a look that made her stomach muscles flutter. “I like my tea sweet.”
Feeling bold again, she sauntered to the table, set the pitcher down and asked in a drawl, “And how do you like your women?”
“Spicy,” he answered without hesitation.
Delighted, she ran her fingertips down his cheek as she moved past him to her chair. “I think I am corrupting you, Trev.”
“You haven’t heard me complaining, have you?”
“Not yet.” She wondered what he’d do when he heard that the local scandalmongers were placing bets on their future.