Bachelor Swap by Lacey Black (best ebook reader under 100 .TXT) 📗

take the business I started all those years ago and help it flourish into something even bigger.” He meets my eyes. “And you’re the man to do it.”

I swallow over the lump in my throat and reach out my hand. “Thank you for trusting me.”

Jerald returns the hand gesture, his older hand smaller and frailer in my own. “I’ll see you a week from this coming Monday,” he says, referring to the scheduled meeting at his office to sign the papers for the company.

“I’ll see you then.”

The older man slips into the opened back seat door, offering me a small wave. I spy George rounding the corner, pulling in behind Jerald’s town car. “Hey, Wilder,” Jerald says, pulling my attention away from my own driver. When I meet his eyes, he adds, “If anything changes with that woman you’re seeing, let me know. I’d love to set you up with my daughter.” He laughs and shuts the door, leaving me alone in front of the sidewalk.

“You ready, Mr. Wilder?”

I watch as the older man pulls away, a smile spreads across my lips as he does. I’m not sure the faith he’s placed in me—errr, Matthew—is correct, but it makes me smile, nonetheless. “I am, George. Let’s go home.”

Chapter Fourteen

Kyla

I’m securing the kennel for a new dog we just took in when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. My smile is instantaneous when I see his name across the screen.

Cowboy: Dinner plans tonight?

Me: Nothing planned. What did you have in mind?

Cowboy: Can you be at my place at six?

I glance at the time on the top of the screen, having plenty of time to finish up here, run home, and get cleaned up before I need to be to Matthew’s.

Me: I can. Do I need to bring anything?

Cowboy: Just you.

Another grin breaks out across my face as I shoot back a quick confirmation and slip the device back into my pocket.

“A woman smiles like that only when she’s thinking of a man.”

I turn, startled, and see Debbie standing just off to the side, carrying an older tabby cat. “Oh, I didn’t hear you come in,” I reply, looking for a topic change. “How’s Howard?”

“He’s fine,” Debbie states, snuggling the fat cat. “He’s up to date on all of his immunizations, much to his dismay.” Debbie slips the cat into his kennel and makes sure his food and water is full. “Edith says we had three adoptions today.”

“We did,” I reply eagerly, telling the other volunteer all about the two dogs and one cat that went to their forever homes. I reach into the kennel of the Border Terrier dropped off earlier and sigh. “Hopefully we can send this young lady to a home soon too. She’s too sweet.”

“That’s the new one, right?”

“This is her.” I recall the look on the woman’s face when she brought the four-year-old dog to us this morning. The woman had been crying, swearing she did everything she could to find the dog a good home, but she was unsuccessful. Her daughter was afraid of the dog, Hattie. She tried everything to help her child overcome her fear, but it was fruitless. After six months, she exhausted all of her resources and felt rehoming the terrier was the best course of action.

“She’s a sweet pea, that’s for sure.”

“I think she’d do well with older kids and lots of room to run. She’s spunky, for sure,” I add, glancing in the kennel where Hattie rests on a blanket. “I’d take her in a heartbeat, if I had some place for her to play.”

Debbie laughs. “You’ve said that about every single animal to go through here, Ky.”

I shrug, knowing she’s right. I’ve said that, but it’s true. I’d have taken any and all in need of rescue, including Rocky, the English bulldog with a very grumpy disposition.

“Big plans tonight?”

“I’m heading over to Matthew’s for dinner.”

“Ohhhh,” she singsongs, waggling her eyebrows.

“Stop it,” I chastise with a giggle. “You’re incorrigible.”

“You did talk to him about the gala next Saturday, right?”

“I did,” I confirm with a nod. “He’s making sure he’s off work by six.”

“Good. I’d hate for you to get all dolled up and no one be there to appreciate all your hard work.”

I sit back, sticking my finger into a kennel and letting a dog nestle against it, and consider her words. I’ve worked hard on this gala, as have Debbie and Edith. But she’s right. What I’m looking forward to most is actually having someone there with me, by my side. Someone to dance with and share in my excitement as the totals from the silent auction items come in. Someone who looks amazing in a tux and knows how to wow a crowd. Yet looks at me like I’m the only one in the room.

Someone like Matthew.

***

I step inside the building and smile at the man holding the door. “Welcome, Miss Morgan. Mr. Wilder is expecting you. I’ll escort you,” he says, leading me to the elevator and calling for the car.

I take a moment to glance around, observing several men milling around, chatting. They notice me, most offering a small smile or a head nod. As we wait, someone behind me says, “Do you see the ass on that?”

I tense, waves of anxiety rolling off my escort beside me.

“I’d love to get my hands on that thing. I’d leave bite marks on her pale skin. I bet Wilder has tons of fun with that one. The quiet ones are always the wildest.”

Before I can even comprehend what’s being discussed behind me, the elevator opens, revealing Matthew. He smiles the moment he sees me standing before him, but that easy grin quickly slips from his face. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice firm and edgy.

“Nothing,” I gasp, trying to cover my nervousness with a quick smile.

He steps forward, studying me with a critical eye. I step onto the elevator car and wrap my arms around his waist. “Ready?” he asks, stepping back against the