“When I agreed to a date, that’s what I meant. A few drinks, some laughs, conversation.” He dunked his tea bag in his mug. “But right away I saw that your friend was a brooding hen. Three dates with her and she’d expect a ring, with marriage four months later. She’d get pregnant on her wedding night, if not sooner.”

What he was saying was exactly right, especially about Heather. For all that she was beautiful, etc., she wasn’t married. Her high school boyfriend had run off with a girl from Saint Louis. Heather had something to prove to everyone.

But Cait would have swallowed her tongue before she said that. “Well, what did you expect? You’re a catch. You have a job and potential. You’re not ugly. And the whole town knows you want to renovate the Fredericks house and stay in Mason.” When he raised his eyebrows, she said, “The uncles aren’t known for keeping secrets.”

“You people got to know each other growing up. If I’m supposed to marry the first one I date, how do I get a choice?”

He said it all so seriously that it took a second to realize he was joking. Maybe. “Three,” she said just as seriously. “That’s the limit. Three different girls, then you choose one of them.”

“I see. What if I go to four?”

“Then you’re a male slut. Not a good name. We’ll say you’re just playing around, toying with women’s emotions.”

“That sounds like it would take away my status as a ‘catch’?”

“Yes.” She leaned back in the seat. “What am I going to do? Everyone thinks I know that you’re a jerk and I was trying to get rid of you. Heather is furious with me.”

“Should I buy her an engagement ring so they’ll forgive you?”

“Couldn’t hurt.” She looked at him. “You’re not sorry in the least, are you?”

“Your friend is lovely to look at, but she’s not very smart, is she? I bet she’d agree with Betty’s filing system.”

Cait’s lips twitched.

“Anyone ever put Heather and Taran together?”

“Oh, no, you don’t. I have dibs on him.”

“So he asked you out, did he? Betty invited you to dinner this weekend? What color food do you think she’ll serve?”

“You really are a despicable man.”

“Heather agrees completely.” He stood up. “Let’s go get some food and take it out to the Fredericks place. I’d like to look at that house more closely. Maybe make a floor plan. Hey! With all your fruit tree experience, I bet you know about plants. You can redo the garden.”

“I don’t know anything about garden design.”

“You have to know more than me. I’d probably put the plants in upside down.”

“We need to talk about money.”

Coop groaned. “Some Sunday date.”