Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)

Madeline rose. “Okay. I’ll put out the sign.”


Isabel checked the back door to make sure it was locked, then followed the other woman to the front of the store. After grabbing her purse and keys, she made sure the We’ll Be Back in Ten Minutes sign was up. After closing and locking the front door, they hurried toward Brew-haha.

Two short blocks later, Isabel raced into the store only to find several women, including Charlie, Dellina and Noelle, standing at the big window, looking out toward the park.

Patience practically danced over. “Look,” she said, pointing.

Isabel ignored the instruction. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” She grabbed Isabel’s arm and dragged her to the window. “Look!”

Isabel turned her attention to the street with no cars currently in view. There were the usual pedestrians, a man on a bike and three men in the park.

“So?”

Charlie glared at her. “So? Seriously? Don’t you know who they are?”

Isabel looked again, then shook her head. “No. Should I?”

Charlie sighed. “Why do I even try?”

“I want the blond one,” Noelle said, pointing. “He’s dreamy.”

“Dreamy?” Charlie scoffed. “What is this? Nineteen fifty? Kenny Scott is known for his speed and catching ability. They say he has magic hands.”

Noelle leaned against the window frame. “I could use some magic hands in my life. I wonder if he rents out.”

Dellina pointed. “I like that one.” She turned to Charlie. “What’s his name?”

“Sam Ridge. Kicker. He’s scored more points than...” She shook her head. “You don’t care about his football career. Stop talking to me.”

Isabel turned back to Patience. “That’s it? You dragged me over here to look at football players?”

“Of course. They’re finally here.”

The front door opened and two old ladies walked in. Isabel recognized Eddie and Gladys. They pushed their way through the crowd and pressed their faces against the window.

“Nice ass,” Eddie said. “Think they’ll take their shirts off?”

“It’s sixty-two degrees out there,” Isabel pointed out.

“They’re men. Let them show us they’re tough.”

Isabel shook her head. “You’re all insane.”

Patience grinned. “Come on. It’s fun. How often do we have three hot football players move to town?”

“We have bodyguards,” Isabel told her. “That’s enough. We don’t need those guys.”

“Oh, they’re pretty,” Taryn said, walking into Brew-haha. “And if you ask them nicely, they’re good at lifting and toting.”

Noelle turned to her. “Are they all single?”

“That’s what they tell me.” Taryn walked to the counter. “Can I get a latte, or do I have to wait until the show is over?”

“I think I can steam milk and watch at the same time,” Patience told her.

Isabel took a second to admire Taryn’s royal-blue suit. It matched her eyes perfectly and contrasted with her dark hair. Black suede pumps completed the outfit.

“You really know how to dress,” Isabel said, thinking her own black dress served a purpose. The bride never felt upstaged. She knew that was important, but looking at Taryn made her want to wear something more interesting. Maybe one of the new designs Dellina was always bringing in. At least she had her shoes, she thought, glancing down at the bright red pumps she’d slipped on that morning. Ridiculous but beautiful.

“I have an image to uphold,” Taryn said. “Clothes might not make the woman, but they help. My shoes intimidate the boys, much like yours would, and that’s good, too.”

She took the latte from Patience and paid her, then crossed to the growing crowd by the window.

“They gonna get naked?” Gladys asked.

“Unlikely,” Taryn murmured. “They’re exploring. Maybe, if we’re lucky, they’ll do some push-ups.”

Isabel heard distinct sarcasm in her voice, but Eddie and Gladys didn’t seem to notice.

“Wonder if they like older women?” Eddie asked. “I could teach that tall one a thing or two. Or maybe he could teach me.” She and Gladys giggled.

Taryn stepped closer to Isabel. “Those old ladies are a little disconcerting.”

“You get used to it,” Isabel assured her in a low voice. “They show up at events like this. I heard that a couple of years ago the town had male models in for a calendar to raise money for the fire department. Eddie and Gladys brought chairs and stayed for the whole event.”

Noelle walked over to them. “I’m feeling nothing,” she said, sounding disappointed. “I’m ready for something, I can feel it, but these guys aren’t doing it for me.”

Taryn smiled. “Kenny will be disappointed to hear that.”

Noelle glanced toward the window. “I don’t even care which one is Kenny. Are there more men moving to town? Because this is getting ridiculous.”

Dellina strolled over. “I want to do more than look,” she said brightly. “Is Sam single?”

“Yes, but he’s annoying. Just so you’re warned.”