Page 6 of Montana Born

Chapter Three

Apparently, the one thing Elle Tyler had not found out about him was how much he enjoyed a challenge. He’d not only stay, but also make her regret whatever she’d planned.

Sully took her elbow and peered down at her shoes. She wore tight faded jeans and what used to be white sandals. They were more of a green shade now.

“Miss Tyler, you may want to rinse your shoes off. They’ll be sticky.”

Her wide eyes went from him down to her shoes and then over her shoulder towards where the woman who’d almost fallen was now being helped to sit. “Ah...yes, well there apparently has been a mix-up. I forgot my family would be here tonight. We should reschedule. Or better yet, how about we meet at your office.... or...or mine?”

Totally different from the woman in the business suit. This Elle was dressed casually, with gleaming blonde hair flowing past her shoulders. Her makeup was precise without being overly done and the off the shoulder t-shirt made him wonder what it would feel like to touch the smooth olive skin.

The waiter came to them and gave him an apologetic look. “Do you need a table?”

“No,” Elle answered for him. “Sorry to trouble you, Mr. Cole. I’ll call you to arrange another meeting.”

From the table, six sets of expectant faces watched them with interest. “No need for all that extra work. How about I go and sit with your family while you wash up.”

He directed the wide-eyed pale woman towards the neon bathroom sign and then walked toward the table.

Elle ran into the bathroom and kicked off her shoes. She did the best she could with wet paper towels on her feet before running her sandals under tap water. She danced in place with nerves.

He’d gone to the table.

He was there right now with her relatives who’d waste no time in spilling every ugly detail of her life.

That, combined with her cousins fighting for his attention, could potentially ruin any future business.

Elle had no doubt he’d overheard her comment about not liking him. To be fair to the man, she didn't know him well enough not to like him. It could have been Gary who orchestrated the entire dinner thing.

“Miss?”

“Huh?” She jumped as a woman tried to get to the paper towels. “Sorry,” Elle muttered and walked out holding the drenched shoes.

At the table, Sullivan Cole sat in the center seat on one side, her cousins, Deana and Lori, at his elbows. The other two, who’d obviously lost the battle, sat across from him.

Letting out a breath, she neared only to freeze when all the women laughed. Her mother clapped at whatever he’d said and shook with mirth.

Her. Mother.

“What’s going on?” Elle narrowed her eyes at Sully. “Why is my mother laughing?”

“Sit down,” Aunt Janet tugged her to the only empty chair, which was in between her mother and aunt. The untouchables section.

Great.

“Sully was just telling us one of his childhood antics.” Jennifer all but fell across the table toward the man, who seemed to be enjoying the attention tremendously. “You missed it.”

“So Sully,” Lori said leaning against his arm. “What is your drink of choice? Elle’s buying drinks tonight.”

“He can’t stay for drinks,” Elle said, meeting his gaze. “Didn’t you tell me you had a meeting with another client Mr. Cole?”

There was a gleam of challenge when he looked to her and lifted that damn brow. “They cancelled. I’ll have a beer since you’re buying. Can’t turn down a free drink. Momma didn’t raise no fool.”

The women all laughed as if he’d invented the saying. She turned to her mother and whispered, “They are acting like sex starved maniacs. Deana's married for lord's sake.”

“Oh, it’s all in good fun. He is very charming after all.” Margie looked back toward Sully, ignoring her distress.

Charming? He certainly had the entire table eating out of his hand. And if she was to be honest, she did envy Lori and Deana just a little. When Aunt Janet announced she had to pee, Sully stood. “Please allow me.”