The Doctor's Runaway Fiancée by Cindy Kirk Page B

at the table. “I thought you’d brought more than enough for the number they were expecting.”
    The linen-clad table held several varieties of petits fours. While these types of desserts didn’t particularly refill Sylvie’s creative well, they helped pay the bills.
    Tonight, the Sweet Adelines organization was hosting an open house for prospective members. They’d rented out the museum to add a little pizzazz to their annual recruitment event.
    A baby grand piano had been brought into the main room, and several members stood harmonizing around the glossy black surface. One of them was Kathy Randall, Mayor Tripp Randall’s mother.
    Kathy was the one who’d contacted Sylvie about catering the event. Sylvie hadn’t expected Josie to volunteer to help her. Especially not with the wedding less than a month away. But Josie had insisted and Sylvie had to admit having her friend with her tonight had made the evening more enjoyable.
    Josie’s hand swept the room. “These women are like a swarm of locusts.”
    â€œShhh.” Sylvie elbowed her friend, but had to agree. The pastries were being consumed at an alarming rate. “I’m hoping once the singing really gets going, they’ll forget chowing down and concentrate on music.”
    Josie shot her a pitying glance as they headed into the kitchen, where extra desserts waited. “Now, what I want to know is, since you’ve agreed to move into the house Andrew is renting in Spring Gulch, does that mean you’re going to sleep with him?”
    â€œJosie.”
    â€œI believe it’s a valid question.”
    Sylvie knew she couldn’t put Josie off for long, but she bought herself a little more time by filling a silver tray with several dozen baked meringues in various colors. “He’s not renting the house. It belongs to a friend.”
    Josie followed her back into the main room. “If you think you can sidetrack me that easily, you must have had more than club soda tonight. The question on the table is, are you going to sleep with him?”
    Sylvie carefully arranged the tiny bits of meringue. “Not in the plans.”
    â€œIt never is.” Josie’s eyes took on a distant look and a little smile lifted her lips. “The last person in this whole town I planned to sleep with was Noah Anson. You see where that ended up. I can’t keep my hands off him.”
    â€œAnd I can’t keep mine off you.”
    The deep voice had both of them turning.
    Josie giggled like a teenager surprised by her boyfriend.
    Sylvie’s heart dipped to her toes when she saw the man beside Noah.
    For a second a nervous giggle rose in her own throat.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Pleasure spilled from Josie’s voice. “I didn’t think I’d see you tonight.”
    Noah, looking handsome in dark pants and a muted plaid shirt, looped an arm around Josie’s shoulders and tugged her to him. It was as if he couldn’t bear to be so near and not touch. It had been like that for her and Andrew once, Sylvie thought wistfully.
    â€œI ran into this guy downtown.” Noah jerked a thumb in Andrew’s direction. “We got to talking and decided to stop by and see if you needed help.”
    â€œLooks like a wild party.” Andrew spoke for the first time since walking up.
    Bits of harmony mingled with the sounds of muted laughter and conversation.
    â€œIt’s a gathering of the local Sweet Adelines group,” Sylvie explained. “They’re wooing prospective members.”
    â€œAnd eating everything in sight,” Josie confided.
    Sylvie couldn’t figure out why Andrew was here. They’d agreed to terms, one of them being they’d wait to begin the “immersion” tomorrow.
    â€œHow much longer until you’re sprung?” Noah asked.
    Sylvie didn’t have a chance to say Josie could leave anytime when Kathy Randall rushed up. Worry