Carolina Moon

already heard from six different people the two of you were half near engaged and planning a nursery.”
    “It might’ve been simpler just to tell her the truth, that Cade wasn’t interested in being fixed up.”
    “Now, I wouldn’t say simpler.” His handsome white teeth flashed again, quick, charming, and male. “I tell her that, she wants to know why. I say something like some men aren’t looking for marriage. She comes back and says it’s good enough for you, isn’t it? Or are you wishing you were footloose and fancy-free like your two best pals? I say, no, honeybunch, but by then I’ve got one foot in the doghouse.”
    Trying to look pitiful, he scratched his head. “I tell you, Tory, marriage is a walk on a greased-up tightrope, and any man who tells you he wouldn’t sacrifice a friend to keep from slipping off’s a damn liar. Besides, the way I hear it, you and Cade’ve been seen around together a few times.”
    “Are you making a statement or asking a question?”
    He shook his head. “I should’ve said dealing with a woman’s like a walk on that tightrope. Better quit while I can still make it to safe ground.”
    “Good idea.”
    “Well, Lissy’s having herself a hen party, a woman’s get-together,” he corrected quickly, seeing Tory’s brows shoot up. “I’m going to wander over to Wade’s, see if he wants to grab some supper and keep me company till it’s safe to go home. I’ll stop by tomorrow. Maybe you can help me pick out some earrings or something.”
    “I’ll be happy to.”
    He walked to the door, paused. “It looks nice in here, Tory. Classy. This place is going to be good for the town.”
    She hoped so, she thought, as she went behind him to lock up. But more, she hoped the town was going to be good for her.
    Dwight walked down to cross at the light. As mayor it was important to set a good example. He’d given up jaywalking, and drinking more than two beers a night in a bar, and driving over the posted limit. Small sacrifices, he thought, but every now and again he had the urge to shake off the restraints.
    Came from being a late bloomer, he supposed, and gave a quick salute toward the beep of a horn as Betsy Gluck drove by. He hadn’t started to hit his stride until his middle teens, then he’d been so dazzled that girls actually wanted to talk to him, he’d stumbled straight into the backseat of his first car with Lissy—well, a few others, then Lissy—found himself going steady with the prettiest and most popular girl in school. Before he knew it he was renting a tux for his wedding.
    Not that he regretted it. Not for a minute. Lissy was just what he wanted. She was still as pretty as she’d been in high school. Maybe she fussed and pouted some, but name him a woman who didn’t.
    They had a fine house, a beautiful son, and another baby on the way. A damn good life, and he was mayor of the town in which he’d once been a joke.
    A man had to appreciate the irony of that.
    If now and again he got an itch, it was natural enough. But the fact was he didn’t want to be married to anyone but his Lissy, didn’t want to live anywhere but Progress, and wanted his life to keep right on going just as it was.
    He opened the door to Wade’s waiting room in time to be all but bowled over by a frantic sheepdog bent on escape.
    “Sorry! Oh, Mongo.” The blonde struggling to hold the leash was both pretty and unfamiliar. She sent Dwight an apologetic look out of soft green eyes, even while her Kewpie-doll lips turned up in a quick smile. “He just got his shots and he’s feeling betrayed.”
    “Can’t say I blame him.” Since doing otherwise would compromise his manhood, Dwight risked his fingers and patted the dog through the mop of gray and white hair. “Don’t recall seeing you or Mongo around town before.”
    “We’ve only been here a few weeks. I moved down from Dillon. I teach English at the high school—well, I’ll be teaching summer classes, then I’ll start full-time in the fall. Mongo, sit!” With a toss of her hair, she offered a hand. “Sherry Bellows, and you can blame me for the dog hair covering your jeans.”
    “Dwight Frazier, nice to meet you. I’m the town mayor, so I’m the one you come to if you’ve got any complaints.”
    “Oh, everything’s been just fine. But I’ll keep that in mind.” She turned her head back toward the examining room. “Everyone’s been very friendly and helpful. I’d better get Mongo in the car