“Well, call me Dillon,” he instructed.
The next moment, someone else was calling out his name. It turned out to be one of his cousins and Hailey got the impression that he didn’t look all that anxious to respond.
“I guess this is a case of careful what you wish for,” she said, taking a chance that her observation wouldn’t sound too familiar.
Rather than take offense, Dillon laughed softly to himself.
“You can sure say that again.” He sighed. He could see that his cousin was not going away. “I’d better go see what Adam wants.”
Judging by the expression on his face, Hailey had a feeling that he already knew exactly what his cousin wanted to see him about. Adam and Kane Fortune had made no secret of the fact that they wanted to get into the “family” business, not because they harbored any desires to expand Rambling Rose commercially—or to expand any other town that way for that matter. What the cousins seemed to want to be part of were the resulting profits that would be coming down the pike.
Very soon, they hoped.
Hailey watched as Dillon made his way over to his cousin Adam. One minute the contractor had been smiling at her, the next he was withdrawing, as if folding his tent and all but disappearing into the night.
Not again, she thought.
She honestly didn’t know what to make of the man, but she did know that she really wanted the opportunity to be able to get to know him better so she could make an intelligent decision about him. That way she could see if they had anything in common outside of those sparks she’d felt the other day, as well as today. Some sparks fizzled while others, if fanned, could turn into a roaring fire.
But first, of course, she needed to get the man to stand still in one place long enough for her to make up her mind about him.
And this was not the right time.
Right now, she needed to mingle and promote the spa’s many services. This seemed like the perfect opportunity, while everyone was in a festive, receptive mood and the spa was brand new and at its most appealing.
In her new mindset, the first person Hailey came across was Ellie Hernandez who, for once, wasn’t surrounded by a gaggle of people. And the mayor’s husband seemed to be otherwise occupied, as well.
She had the woman all to herself.
“That was a very nice opening speech, Madam Mayor,” Hailey said, coming closer to the young woman.
“Thank you. It was impromptu,” Ellie confessed to Hailey.
“It didn’t sound as if it was,” Hailey told the woman in all honesty.
“Normally I prepare in advance,” she explained and then confided, “but I’m afraid this pregnancy is taking a toll on me and wearing me down more than I’d like to admit.”
“Really?” Hailey asked, her interest really piqued now. “Well, lucky for you, I just might have the answer for that.” Nothing gave her more pleasure than helping someone and advancing the spa’s clientele.
“The answer?” the mayor questioned. “I don’t think I understand.”
Hailey smiled. “Well, Paz Spa offers prenatal massages. They’re specially tailored to the particular difficulties that the mother-to-be—meaning you—might be experiencing. These sessions are guaranteed to make a brand new, relaxed woman out of you instead of having you feel as if you were hauling around increasingly heavier, not to mention exceedingly uncooperative, large cargo.”
“Right now, making a new woman out of me sounds like heaven,” Ellie told her with a deep appreciative sigh. “Where do I sign up?” she asked enthusiastically.
Was she kidding, Hailey wondered. Or didn’t she know? “For you, Madam Mayor—and especially seeing that you have this marital connection to the contractor—all the sessions would be free.”
Ellie looked surprised as she shook her head, turning down the offer.
“Nonsense, absolutely not. I’m not going to take advantage of my so-called connection to the Fortune family. Besides, how is the spa going to make any money if I do something like that?” the mayor wanted to know.
“Well, I am planning to have at least a few more clients than just you,” Hailey said with a laugh. “Not to mention that if you enjoy your sessions and, more importantly, find that they really help you, maybe you can pass the word along. You know, tell your friends. Word-of-mouth is a very good way to advertise the spa,” Hailey told her.
“Oh, I’m sure the sessions will help and I can definitely spread the word about the spa,” the woman agreed.
Hailey’s eyes sparkled as she put out her hand to the mayor. “Wonderful. In that case, I believe we have ourselves a deal,” she said, enthusiastically shaking the woman’s hand.
Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Hailey saw Dillon go by. He was talking to his other cousin now. For a second, Hailey’s attention shifted to the contractor and she temporarily lost her train of thought.
The man did have a way of getting to her, even when she wasn’t expecting it, Hailey thought ruefully. She was going to have to watch that.
When she looked back at Ellie, the woman had an amused expression on her face.
“Something on your mind, Hailey?”
For a second, Hailey debated asking the question and then she decided, why not? She really didn’t have anything to lose and maybe, just maybe, there might be something to be gained.
“Well,” Hailey began cautiously in a lowered voice, “as a matter of fact, since you are married to Steven Fortune...”
“Yes?” Ellie asked, her tone nothing if not encouraging.
Hailey gathered her courage to her and forced herself to push on. Friendly though she was, this wasn’t easy for her.
“I thought that you might know what his brother’s status is.”
“I’m sure I do,” Ellie agreed. “Which brother is it?”
Idiot. Her husband’s got more than one brother.
“Dillon. The contractor who renovated this spa,” she qualified, making it sound as if it was the all-important connection rather than her own reaction to the man.
“Well, Dillon’s unattached,” Ellie
