All Summer Long (Fool's Gold #9)

“We are,” she managed, wondering if the situation with his sister was bothering him more than he was letting on. While Clay was more insightful than the average male, he was still a guy. How could he think she would want to be with anyone else? He was the one who brightened her day and made her—


The truth could be a bitch, she thought as self-awareness slammed into her. The reason she wasn’t interested in looking at another man had nothing to do with appearance, as Clay had suggested, and everything to do with emotion.

She was in love with him. Wildly, desperately, madly in love with him. Somewhere between the laughs and the sighs, she’d given her heart. Just like her friends had warned her could happen. Talk about being a complete idiot.

“Charlie?”

“I’m fine,” she said. “Just wrapping my mind around you worrying about my fidelity.”

He leaned close. “I know what a wild woman you are in bed. If word gets out, you’ll have all the men in town begging.”

“Then we won’t tell anyone. I had that ad going out in the paper, but I should probably rethink it.”

“We’re ready,” the photographer called. “Jeremy, you’re up.”

Jeremy, a tall, well-built man, walked onto the low, wide platform. The photographer talked with him for a couple of seconds. Jeremy nodded. Without warning, he stepped out of his boxer shorts and handed them to an assistant.

Charlie nearly choked as she immediately looked away. “He’s naked.”

Clay frowned. “Sure. The shots themselves will be family-friendly, but to get some of the sexy poses, you have to be naked.”

She glanced at the ground, then at the lights, before staring directly into the model’s eyes. “That information doesn’t make him any less naked.”

“You’re embarrassed.”

“I don’t know him. I don’t want to see his you-know-what. It’s Tuesday. I avoid that sort of thing midweek.”

Clay pulled her close. “Penis,” he whispered. “We’re all adults. You can manage the word.”

“Shut up.” She shoved him.

He laughed and grabbed her hands in his. She stared into his eyes, knowing she would happily spend the rest of her life getting lost in him. All of him. Not just the pretty bits, but the man inside. The heart and soul of him.

To her right, a light exploded. She jumped and turned. The photographer lowered the camera he’d pointed at the two of them and shrugged. “Sorry. Great shot. Couldn’t help myself.”

He turned back to the model. “You know what? Let’s put that plaid shirt on. With the hat.”

Someone handed the model the shirt and hat, which he put on. Although he left off his boxers.

“Really?” Charlie asked. “He doesn’t want to put on pants?”

The back door of the studio opened and Gladys and Eddie entered. The two old ladies got an eyeful of the model as he turned. Gladys put a hand to her chest.

“Someone get me a chair,” she said. “I’m going to faint.”

Charlie groaned, then glared at Clay. “This is your fault, isn’t it?”

“I thought they’d enjoy watching the shoot. And, frankly, this is a great distraction from everything going on out at the farm.”

“If either of them has a heart attack because of this, you are in so much trouble.”

He gave her a quick kiss. “Let me get them settled. I’ll be right back.”

Charlie nodded. When Clay stepped away, Charlie went looking for the photographer’s assistant.

“He just took a picture of me and Clay,” she said in a low voice. “Any way I can get a copy of that?”

“Sure. No problem. Give me your email address and I’ll send you a file.”

“Thanks.”

She wanted to have the photograph for later. In case things worked out...or even if they didn’t. Proof positive that she would find something special with the right person. No matter what, she would always have the memory of Clay.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“YOU’RE STILL SULKING,” Shane said cheerfully as he walked into the kitchen.

Clay glared at him over his cup of coffee. “I’m not sulking. I’m assessing my options.”

“I’ll admit you’ve had a few setbacks with the Haycation idea, but you’re moving forward.”

“Not today.”

His brother patted him on the shoulder. “You might want to check out your land.”

Clay glanced at the clock. It was barely eight in the morning. Charlie had kept him up late the night before and he was only halfway through his first cup of coffee. “What are you talking about?”

Shane leaned against the counter and grinned. “I don’t want to spoil the surprise. North end. The acres that had the alfalfa.”

Something Clay didn’t want to think about, but had to face, he thought as he grabbed his truck keys and headed out. He drove to the north end of the property only to find a couple of old guys, some farm equipment and several trucks of what looked like dirt.

Last week the alfalfa had sprouted. The seed company’s insurance had arranged to have it dug out and the top eight or ten inches of soil hauled away. Clay had avoided the area ever since. The earth left behind looked as if it had been through a war. He wasn’t sure of the next step and hadn’t had the heart to call and find out.