“Please refrain from rubbing it in. In the words of my man Kermit, it isn’t easy being green.” I roll my eyes. “He’s the only guy I have anything in common with.”
“And he’s technically not human. He’s a frog.” She snickers. “C’mon, let’s get this over with.” She tugs my arm and we arrive just as Dr. Jordain finishes securing the escapees in the kennels in a van he must use to take the rescues out. The mass of smiling spectators, mostly women, part like the red sea for the doctor as he strolls to the rig cool as a cucumber.
I crane my neck for a better look and freeze when the good doctor’s devilish dark eyes meet mine. I quickly grab Allison’s hand and stare as he edges his six-foot something masculine physique through the group with an easy smile. I scratch my itchy arms feeling my body break out in a full sweat.
The one time I possibly have the opportunity to meet the man of my dreams; I’m dressed like a leprechaun. “Please tell me we can turn around and go home. I have to live in this town.”
Allison bites her bottom lip and looks at me directly in the eyes. “Keep your head down. That floppy hat brim should cover most of your hair and forehead. And wear the sunglasses Don’t take them off. No one will see anything except two shamrocks staring them in the face, and they’ll run. They’ll think you’re a maniac or something.”
“Lovely.” I tuck as much of my long red hair under the hat, then I put on the glasses. Allison is just ablur of golden hair. I peer up at the sky hoping to see a cloud, but the dark green lenses have small shamrock designs in the corner of each eye that block my view. I prop them further on my nose and thank God I can see Allison a little better. “Be here, okay?” I squint. “As soon as the truck comes to a stop, I’ll run to your car.”
“I promise I’ll be here waiting.” Allison pulls me in for a supportive hug.
“Okay,” I say, “Let’s do this.” I plod forward to the float in my enormous booties.
So much for having the luck of the Irish.
Chapter two
Bo
“Need some help?” I offer the leprechaun with the insanely curvy body my hand. She’s struggling to get up here on the float.
“Huh?” She looks up. The tip of her giant hat sways from side to side and she adjusts her glasses. “Oh no. It’s you!” She flinches and turns away, muttering, “Crap, crap, crap,” and quickly climbs back down.
Did she just imply that she knows who I am and doesn’t want me anywhere near her? That would be a first. Most of the women in this town make me feel like I’m a raw piece of meat. Their mothers and grannies are constantly trying to set me up on blind dates.
The engine fires up and the flat bed rattles. “Hey,” I shout over the motor to the leprechaun. “We’re leaving. Let me help you up.”
Does she hear me? She tugs her hat down so the brim hits her shamrock sunglasses and they almost falloff. With her armsextended, she feels along the side of the vehicle, walking in the opposite direction to the driver’s side door.
What is she doing? Maybe she’s visually impaired? “Hey, you’re going the wrong way,” I call out. “Just follow the sound of my voice.”
Curvy leprechaun pauses and then retraces her steps back to me. “Take my hand.” I squat, extending both, because I’m not convinced she can see a damn thing.
Her hat wobbles as she gets up on the step stool and braces herself, apparently ready for another try. “Grab my hands.” This time she takes hold of both and her delicate fingers disappear into my big paws. Her skin is like velvet. I help her part of the way, but as she slides up past the tailgate, her dress flies up and the leprechaun lets go. And I won’t lie. I wish I was behind her for the view. Just that one peek made me feel more alive than I have in months.
In a heartbeat, mystery woman is up on the bed with me and the throng of others along for the ride. The crush of the group presses her against me. Instinctively, I wrap my arms around her to prevent her from losing her balance. The scent of roses and fresh summer rain waft up from her hair? Her hat? I peer down at her pouty lips, betting they taste as good as she smells. Before I can give kissing her another thought, the curvy leprechaun breaks from my hold, and plows backwards into an older woman who was just taking her seat.
“Sorry, so sorry,” she apologizes to the woman, stumbling and keeping her voice low. “Thank you for helping.” She makes a full turn, scanning the parking lot and gripping the truck.
“My pleasure. I’m Bo, by the way.”
“Yep,” she mutters, sticking her hands out in front of her, feeling for something invisible. With her path clear, she picks up her pace and heads to the cab area. Is she sitting next tothe mayor? “Thanks again,” she calls over her shoulder. I wade through the sea of green to catch up, but she’s moving at a good clip now.
I yell over the engine’s rumble, “Aren’t you going to tell me your name?”
She must not hear me because she doesn’t stop. Curvy leprechaun can’t get away from me fast enough.
“Top of the mornin’ to you, everyone! Happy St. Patrick’s Day.” The jovial mayor’s voice blares through the bullhorn. “We’re about to begin. Now, don’t forget to hold on. Your job is to smile and wave. And you people up front, please throw the candy,gently. Let’s not bean anyone.”
The rig jolts and off we go. I recognize my clients in the crowd, grateful to be a member of this community, but I keep looking for that green bombshell. What’s hiding under that crazy costume?
I can’t remember the last time a woman had that kind of effect on me, and I don’t even know her name.
Chapter three
Riley
