“Will, I…” she began.
He silenced her with a kiss. “Later.”
“But I have to tell you—”
“No, you don’t.” He released her from the hug but kept his arm around her. “Come on. It’s cold and you’re not wearing a jacket.”
She stepped in front of him and grabbed him by the shoulders. “I’m trying to tell you I love you and all you can say is I’m not wearing a jacket?”
He smiled then. A slow, sexy smile that made her stomach turn over and every part of her burn.
“I love you, too, Jo. Let’s go home.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
TUCKER HEARD A FAMILIAR sound from outside the trailer. Tires on dirt and gravel. Funny how he could pick out those particular tires from all the others. Not funny in a good way, though, he thought, wishing the construction trailer had a back door.
With nowhere to run, he was forced to stay behind his desk and hope for the best. After all, he was a grown man. He could stand up to what was outside. He didn’t have to be afraid.
But all the logic in the world didn’t stop him from wincing as he heard footsteps on the stairs, followed by the turning of the handle. He braced himself for the onslaught.
The door opened and Mayor Marsha stepped inside.
“Good morning, Tucker,” she said cheerfully.
“Ma’am.”
She was as well dressed as ever, in one of her suits, the skirt hitting exactly at the middle of her knee. Her white hair was in that puffy do she seemed to like so much. Despite the warmth in her gaze, he knew this wasn’t a social call.
He stood and walked toward the coffeepot. “The gold is all excavated,” he said, pouring her a cup.
“Cream,” she said when he held it out.
He added cream, stirred, then took it over to her.
She’d settled at the small table in the back. He passed her the coffee. For a second, he thought about making a run for it, but knew that wouldn’t work. She would simply hunt him down. Better to face her now and get it over with.
“Thank you,” she said before sipping the coffee. “Having the gold gone must be making your life here more peaceful.”
“I didn’t love the tourists.”
“I imagine not.” She put the mug back on the table. “I’ve been keeping track of the progress you’re making on the site. Impressive. I have every confidence this facility is going to be an excellent addition to the Fool’s Gold community.”
“We appreciate the support from you and the city council. Some cities wouldn’t want the casino so close.”
Mayor Marsha smiled. “I’m sure that’s true, but I’m not concerned. If anyone becomes difficult, our police department is more than capable of handling the situation. The additional tax revenue is more than worth the effort. The occupancy taxes for the hotel alone are going to fund a new high school. Children are our future, as they say.”
“So I’ve heard,” he murmured, wondering when she would drop her next bombshell. Unless she was here to nag him about Cat’s giant vagina. A gift he’d yet to figure out how to undo. Not that he’d tried especially hard. He frowned as he realized he hadn’t seen much of Cat since her arrival. And to think that at one point in his life, she’d been his reason for breathing. Time really did heal.
“The last two years have taught me a valuable lesson,” the mayor told him. “We haven’t been vigilant enough in our planning here in Fool’s Gold. We’ve let outside events guide us. That disastrous reality show is just one example. Now the gold find. It’s not that we could have predicted either, but we should have been better prepared. To that end, I’m starting a committee of business leaders. People who understand about forecasting and projections. Our purpose will be to provide a new kind of leadership for us all. I’m looking for suggestions for myself and for the city council.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” he said, wondering when she would get to the part that would make him uncomfortable.
“I’m glad you think so. I’d like you to be a part of the group. Perhaps even head it up.”
She was good, Tucker thought. He hadn’t seen that one coming.
“I appreciate the invitation, but I’m not the right person.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not a permanent resident. Once the job site is up and running, I’ll head on to the next project. I’m in town a year at most.”
The mayor pressed her lips together. “I don’t understand. I was under the impression this was the last job you’d be running. That once this was done, you would be taking over the company.”
She was better than good at getting information, Tucker told himself. She was practically a witch.
“How did you know that?”
The older woman sighed. “I know everything, Tucker. I would have thought you’d know that by now. Aren’t you taking over the company?”
“Yes, but—”
“And once you’re in control, you can locate the headquarters anywhere?”