Wrapped Up in a Beau by Angelita Gill

Renclair would be a giant step back to her old ways. She couldn’t tell him that, however. “I didn’t come to Swan’s Crossing to be seduced by Sophie’s brother. She’s like a sister to me, and no matter how much I—” She caught herself. She was about to say “no matter how much I want you” and that would’ve been a mistake. “I mean, no matter how flattered I am, it’d be crossing a line. And even a woman like me has boundaries.”
    â€œWhat about that kiss last night?” he asked, closing the space even more, cocking his head.
    Greta shrugged, feigning nonchalance. Her lips tickled in remembrance, betraying her. “It was nothing. Just a kiss. In fact, I’d already forgotten it happened.” Somewhere in the back of her mind she heard laughter. She’d done everything except forget it. She’d replayed it, fantasized about it, ached for it, but forgotten it? Ha.
    â€œI see.” He moved back with a slightly wounded expression, and for a wild second she had the instinct to recant her lie. To heal his pride and confess her desire. But as a smug smile came across his mouth, she rejected the impulse.
    â€œI guess next time,” he drawled, “I’ll have to kiss you a little longer.”
    â€œMason! Could you come out here?” Leo called. “Mrs. Vickers needs help taking some bags out to the car.”
    Hands on hips, he asked, “So can I stay?”
    Heaven help her, he was winning. “Fine.”
    He grinned. “Leo! I’m on my way.”
    Greta dumped her purse, coat and scarf in a chair and grabbed an apron hanging on a hook. As she jerked the tie around her waist, she cursed at her weakness. To think she’d felt guilty for hurting his pride. As if it was possible! “Kiss you a little longer?” she repeated in a whisper. What made him think he’d get the chance to do it twice?
    Tying her hair up in a quick bun, she marched to the front counter where Leo was setting out more samples of fudge.
    â€œI hope I didn’t hurt your feelings by letting Renclair come aboard,” he said.
    â€œDon’t be silly,” she dismissed, forcing her irritation aside. “I know I can’t keep you all to myself.” She winked at him and grabbed a rag to wipe down the tables.
    He laughed with gusto, shaking his head. “Oh, if only I was twenty years younger. You’d be in trouble, young lady.”
    She laughed as she wiped the crumbs from a table, and straightened the chairs. Mason stood outside by Mrs. Vickers’s car, gently setting down her bag in the passenger seat. The old woman clapped her hands as if he’d performed a magic trick, and Greta marveled at how he gallantly escorted the woman to the driver’s side, making her grin from ear to ear.
    This was the second time she’d had to witness his unfailing charm with another woman. No one else repelled it except her. And even she was beginning to wonder how much longer she could keep up le resistance .
    Leo turned up the volume on the stereo. “I love this song. Reminds me of the times I would take Raquel dancing. When we were on the floor, everyone watched. I used to tell her it was because I was such a magnificent partner, but I knew it was all her.”
    Greta’s heart warmed at the devotion in Leo’s tone. He was clearly still in love with his wife even though she’d passed away almost a decade ago. Since he hadn’t remarried, she sensed no woman would ever live up to Raquel Rossi.
    â€œIs that her?” she asked, gesturing to a black-and-white framed photo hanging on the wall behind him.
    He nodded with pride and she joined him to get a better view of the picture. Raquel had kind, almond-shaped eyes and high cheekbones. Her wavy hair hung over her shoulder, and her warm smile glowed.
    â€œHard to believe she gave a chump like me a chance, isn’t it?” Leo asked, crossing his