The Bachelor Project. Victoria Chancellor

different social circles, and could relate well to both men and women. Gig was an asset to his father’s banking business and would have made a perfectly wonderful husband.

      Maybe she didn’t want a perfect husband, Robin mused. Maybe Gig had been a little too perfect, from his straight white teeth to his designer sportswear. Had her heart ever raced when he’d held her in his arms? Had she felt juvenile excitement at just a glimpse of him across a crowded restaurant?

      Maybe getting away to this small town, to a totally different environment, had been the best idea. Not because she wanted a relationship with another man, but because she needed to put the last one in perspective.

      Shaking her head, Robin returned to her inventory, but was interrupted again when the phone rang.

      “Hello?” she answered.

      “Robin, dear, I’m so glad you’re home. I have a favor to ask.”

      Since the days were stretching ahead of her like a blank slate, a favor for Bess Delgado sounded pretty good. “What can I do for you?”

      “I’m taking a little vacation to San Antonio to visit some friends. Ethan is going to be home, though, and I just hate the thought of him all alone.”

      Robin took the cordless phone and started pacing the living room. Oh, no. Surely Bess didn’t expect a stranger to keep her nephew company! Robin sure didn’t want to give the man the wrong idea by spending personal time with him.

      “Robin?”

      “Yes, I’m here.”

      “I know you’re just in town for a short time, but I feel as though I’ve known you for most of your life. Your Great-aunt Sylvia was always telling me about your latest triumphs and tribulations. That’s why I’d like you to spend some time with Ethan. Like most bachelors, he’ll probably spend hours sitting in front of the television unless he has something to do.”

      She should tell Bess “no.” All she had to do was think of some really good excuse, something that rang true, yet would let her great-aunt’s sweet friend down lightly.

      Instead, she heard herself say, “What did you have in mind?”

      “Oh, nothing major, dear. Just sharing a meal. You might suggest he take you around to see some of the sights. There’s a very scenic drive near Wimberley.”

      Robin paused at the side window, looking out at the pecan trees and remembering the late-night ruckus that had brought Ethan to her house that first night. Recalling the way he’d held her so firmly and listened so compassionately to her explanation of everything from growing up in the city to running away from her wedding. “Bess, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I’m sure Ethan has other things to do.”

      “Oh, he works hard, but most of his friends around here are married couples, and busy with their own lives in the evenings. And he’s not dating anyone, so that wouldn’t be a problem.”

      Robin scrambled for another excuse, this one closer to the real reason she needed to decline. “He might get the wrong idea.”

      “You just tell him you’re new in town and you’d like a little company. I can’t imagine him turning you down.”

      “I don’t want him to think I’m imposing on him.” Or worse yet, asking him out on a date.

      “He won’t, dear. Ethan’s very nice. If he’s told me once, he’s told me a dozen times that he’s not looking for a steady girl.”

      A steady girl. Robin had to smile as she strolled across the room. Had she ever heard that expression used? Probably when she’d been flipping through the old-movie channel and caught one of those Doris Day films from the fifties.

      “I’d have such a better time with my friends if I knew Ethan wasn’t sitting home alone every night.”

      Bess really knew how to pour on the guilt, Robin silently acknowledged. She sighed as she picked up a very good reproduction porcelain St. Charles spaniel on the mantel, then said, “I suppose I could give him a call, just to be friendly. I’m not so sure about suggesting anything as time-consuming as a drive through the country.”

      “Whatever you’re comfortable with, dear.” Bess paused, giving Robin the impression the older lady was weighing her next words. “Perhaps the two of you could share a meal at Ethan’s house. I’ve fixed a variety of food. It’s all in the freezer.”

      That sounded simple enough, but again, Robin wasn’t entirely comfortable with asking herself into Ethan’s personal world. Going to his house and rummaging through his freezer seemed so…intimate. Interacting with him in his professional capacity, or even seeing him in public was a different matter.

      “I’ll think about it, Bess. That’s all I can promise. I just don’t want him to feel uncomfortable.”

      “I’m sure Ethan will be glad to hear from you. I just know he’ll get lonely while I’m gone,” Bess added with a sigh.

      Robin wondered if she’d have the nerve to pick up the phone and give the good-looking police chief a nice, friendly call. For the second time that week, she felt as though she’d slipped back into high school. Only this time, a member of the older generation was encouraging her to ask a boy out for a date instead of telling her that good girls simply didn’t do that sort of thing.

      Robin placed the white-and-brown china dog back on the mantel. Oh, for the good old days.