A Buckhorn Bachelor. Lori Foster

the putz melted.

      It seemed to Adam that Amber and Noel made a most unlikely pair. But whether they admitted or not, that’s what they seemed to be—sort of.

      As a firefighter, Noel worked with Amber’s brother, Garrett, which was where Amber had met him. Since then they’d been dancing around each other, not really a declared couple, but at every big community function they ended up together.

      Amber had long dark hair and blue eyes.

      Noel was blond with brown eyes.

      But the contrasts didn’t end with their appearances. Where Noel seemed quietly contained and often far too serious, Amber was bold, incredibly outspoken and carefree.

      Sure, she was pretty enough to reel in any guy, but he’d assumed Noel had enough backbone to keep from being drawn into her scheming.

      When Amber only smiled, Adam grated, “What guys?”

      Shaking his head, Noel said to Amber, “I think we’re interrupting.”

      “Don’t be silly.”

      Noel said evenly, “I am never silly.”

      Amber just smiled at him. “Isabella already asked for my recommendations, and I’m giving them.” Her gaze raked over Adam. “And that’s that.”

      Issy laughed. “Well, I don’t suppose it’d hurt for me to take a little look, now would it?”

      Of all the... Adam narrowed his eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

      “I’ll be right back,” she promised, and patted his chest—like he was a damned wayward mutt.

      Stunned, Adam stared down at her. He had no idea what to say, so he said nothing.

      Issy waited, but with his extended silence her smile faltered, and finally she looked away. “Noel? Are you ready?”

      Very ill at ease, Noel hitched his chin. “Sure.”

      “I’ll join you in a minute,” Amber told them.

      Still disbelieving, Adam watched Issy walk away, her hand in the crook of Noel’s elbow, until he couldn’t see her anymore.

      “So,” Amber started.

      “Forget it.” Beyond peeved at her, Adam headed back into the booth. She’d already done enough. No way in hell would he listen to some half-baked lecture from her.

      Of course she followed.

      “She’s all wrong for you, Adam.”

      He leveled a sharp look on her. “Contrary to what every wimp in the county tells you, you do not know everything.”

      It was never easy to put a dent in Amber’s confidence. “I realize that. But I do know you. And I also know Isabella.”

      Folding his arms over his chest, his temper on the rise, Adam said, “So what? You think I’d break her heart or something?”

      She gave a surprised laugh that she quickly muffled with a cough. “No, I wasn’t concerned about that.”

      Adam waited her out, his scowl not budging.

      After another cough, Amber got serious. “I hope you won’t think I’m gossiping—”

      “Shohn already told me what you said.”

      “I only told him so he could tell you in case I didn’t get to you in time. Even before I’d reached you two, I knew you were playing with Issy. Everyone was talking about it.”

      “Define everyone.”

      “People who’d passed the two of you. Ms. Marburl was scandalized. Little Chuck started singing that you had a girlfriend. When I stopped at the corn booth, Shohn didn’t know where you were but he said you were due to replace him at any minute. So I told him.”

      “Told him that Issy is a wild child?” He snorted. “That’s nuts and you know it.”

      “Oh, Adam.” With a pitying look, Amber patted his arm. “You’ve known her all this time and yet...you don’t really know her at all.”