Pinky Promise (Riverbend Romance 2) Read Free Page B

stood on the gravel base of the greenhouse. Tan slacks with a brown leather belt. A beige and tan striped shirt, open at the collar. A mouth upturned in a grin. Brown eyes crinkled with amusement. “Hi.”
    Off to the side, Vanessa’s eyes danced as she covered her mouth.
    Ducking her head, Kelly shot daggers at her friend. Not that anything would suppress Vanessa.
    “So, this is the Public Works Greenhouse.” Ian glanced around him. “Care to show me the operation?”
    The man was perfectly groomed, and Kelly could be certain dirt smudges on her face matched those on the knees of her jeans. “I’m sure Vanessa would love to.”
    He quirked a grin. “But you’re the team leader, according to the personnel lists.” He swept a hand toward the entrance, his gaze still locked on hers. “If you’d be so kind.”
    There really wasn’t anything to explain. Weren’t the banks of seedlings evidence enough?
    “I’ll be over in C,” Vanessa murmured, brushing past them.
    That left her with Ian, a still-burning face, and an awkward silence. Did she have to look at him?
    “Splendid specimen? Can’t say I’ve ever been called that before.”
    Kelly’s humiliation was complete. “That’s what Vanessa calls half the men she sees. I was just mimicking her.” She scuffed the toe of her boot into the gravel.
    His voice lowered. “I think you’re very pretty, too.”
    The temperature on her face rose another ten degrees. “Uh, thanks.” What else was she supposed to say? Had he really come down to the greenhouses to flirt with her? During work hours? Wait, he’d asked for a tour. Good change of subject. She took a deep breath. “We have four greenhouses here, growing all the flowers for the baskets downtown and in beds at the various parks.”
    When he didn’t reply, she snuck a glance up. Man, he was tall. And looking straight at her with a bemused expression.
    “Kelly, I have something to ask you.”
    No. Too soon. Way too soon.
    “I called the church this morning, but they don’t have any spaces for kids Sophie’s age.”
    Had she really thought he was going to ask her out? Well, he had said she was pretty and kept looking at her strangely. Time to get her head in the real direction he was going. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    “I double-checked with all the daycares, and none of them have room, either.”
    She nodded, still caught in his gaze.
    “I’m a wee bit stuck here, Kelly.” He hesitated, searching her face. “I know it seems very forward being as we just met, but is there any chance you could watch Sophie next week with Elena? I’m happy to pay you the going rate for child care.”
    This was a slippery slope. He might not be asking her for a date, but this was almost more serious. The way those two little girls had latched onto each other, somebody’s heart was likely to get broken if she said yes. Possibly multiple hearts, including hers.
    Yet how could she decline, knowing he was out of options? It would be far easier to have a buddy for Elena than have her moping around the house by herself. And a bit of pocket change would not go amiss.
    Dear God, how did I get in this situation again? Is this really the right thing to do? I don’t need a broken heart.
    “I’m sorry to ask, Kelly. I fully intended to get to know you more slowly. Take our time.”
    He said what? Oh, man. He was attracted to her. The slope was more than slippery, and the toboggan was poised at the top. “Ian, I don’t know what to say.”
    He bit his lip but kept his gaze steady.
    “If I didn’t work here—” she swept her hand around the greenhouse “—it might not be an issue. But you’re my boss. It all seems so awkward. I don’t want anyone to have reason to think I’m trying to... you know.”
    “I scanned the town employee guidebook this afternoon.”
    She blinked. “Pardon me?”
    “There is nothing in there saying two town employees can’t date each other. Uh, not that I’m asking for a