Page 32 of Lost and Found Cowboy
Dodge laughed. “I didn’t mean that. But maybe a smaller public display of affection like holding hands or just being seen together in town.”
“You two should go out to dinner together, like at The Tipsy Pig,” Maisie suggested, naming the most popular barbeque place in town. “Dodge and I can watch the kids. But you should do it soon. Like tomorrow. And go when the most people will see you. And then maybe get some ice cream afterwards and hold hands while you walk down Main Street. Nothing says a real couple like holding hands while eating ice cream. Every romance novel will attest to that.”
Mack looked at Lorna. “What do you think?”
She shrugged. “It makes a certain kind of sense. Although I don’t want to give Lyle any more reason to get angry.”
Fury lit in Mack’s gut. He hated that her first thoughts went to not making the guy mad. And hated it even more that she evenhadto worry about his temper. “We wouldn’t be goading him or flaunting anything in his face. I think what Dodge and Maisie are suggesting is that if we’re seen by enough people around town as a couple, then word will organically get back to Lyle.”
Dodge nodded. “And it’ll give you credibility if the guy starts asking around about you.”
Mack picked up Lorna’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Look, I’m already being talked about in this town, so it doesn’t bother me to be part of someone’s gossip, but I understand if you’re cautious about people thinking we’re together. Although I’d sure rather have folks talking about how the new guy got such a gorgeous girl to go out with him than for being another one of Brandy Lassiter’s bastard sons.”
Lorna frowned. “Stop. That doesn’t matter to me. I would be proud for people to think I’m with you.”
Her words hit him square in the heart. ‘Proud’ wasn’t normally a word people used when it came to him. It made him want to prove he was worthy of her pride.
“Thank you,” he said softly, just to her.
Maisie clapped her hands together. “Sounds like we have a plan. Tipsy Pig, tomorrow night, say around six. Do you want to drop the kids off at my place, or should I pick them up?”
“I can drop them off,” Lorna said. “Are you sure you’re okay keeping them? They can be a handful.”
Maisie nodded. “Of course. Dodge will help me, and we’ll have fun with them. In fact, why don’t you bring their pajamas, and they can just sleep over. Give you a break for the night.”
Lorna offered Mack a tiny shrug. “I guess we’re going on a date.”
After working out the details, Maisie and Dodge left, and Mack cleaned up the checkers while Lorna put Max to bed.
“He was practically asleep by the time his head hit the pillow.” She stifled a yawn. “He was plum wore out.”
“Seems like he’s not the only one,” Mack said, tossing the last of the toys he’d been picking up into the bin. “I’d better get out of here and let you get to bed. But I’ll see you in the morning at the coffee shop. Seven again?”
“That would be great,” she said, following him to the front door. “It seems like a lot though, now you’re not just helping me at the shop, but also taking me on a fake date. You sure you’re okay doing this?”
He turned to face her. “I’m more than okay. With all of it. I told you I’d do anything to help you.”
“I just don’t want to cause you any problems. Or put you on Lyle’s radar.”
Mack huffed. “I can handle Lyle. In fact, I’d almost welcome the guy to come at me. I’ve wanted to deck him from the minute he walked into this house.”
She nodded. “I get it.”
“I do see one problem with this plan though,” he told her.
“What’s that?”
“If we’re going to try to convince people we’re a real couple…” he said, offering her a roguish grin as he slid one arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I think we might need to practice some of that PDA my brother was talking about.”
A smile played at the corner of her lips as she placed her hand on his chest. “Oh yeah?”
“I mean, it makes sense. I don’t want to try to kiss you while we’re out somewhere and have our noses bump or have it seem awkward.” He reached his hand up to cup her cheek and grazed his thumb along her bottom lip. “So, it only makes sense that we do a few practice runs before tomorrow night.”
“Yes. That does make sense.” Her words came out breathy, and he caught the slightest tremble in her voice.
But he remembered her reaction from earlier that afternoon and wanted to take it slow.
He leaned in closer but paused right before his lips met hers. “So, Lorna, is it okay if I kiss you?”
