Fool's Gold Collection Part 1: Chasing Perfect / Almost Perfect / Sister of the Bride / Finding Perfect. Susan Mallery
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wanted to cover her ears. “Okay, maybe not in the front yard.”
He hit another button and the picture shifted to a large display of wind turbines.
“There are other considerations,” he said. “Some areas are windier than others. We use something called Wind Power Density to determine the best placement for the turbines. There are also problems with delivery. The towers are usually between two and three hundred feet tall. The blades are between sixty-five and a hundred and thirty feet long.”
She tried to picture that, but couldn’t. Ethan must have been used to those unfamiliar with his industry. He immediately hit a button and the TV screen changed to a drawing of a blade next to a six foot man.
“The blade wins,” she murmured.
“It’s going about a hundred and sixty miles an hour. It always wins. So we want a relatively isolated location that we can deliver to and provide service to. Not too close to the community but not too far away. Lots of wind, but not so much wildlife.”
“Right,” she said. “Birds get clipped by the blades and die.”
“We actually have a bigger problem with bats.”
She blinked. “Bats, as in bats? Don’t they have sonar that allows them to see anything that’s moving in the sky?”
“Yes, but the spinning blades create a change in pressure.” He paused. “You don’t want to know. Let’s just say turbines can have a negative impact on bat migration. To change that, we recommend owners shut down the turbines during slow wind nights.”
“A computer does that, right?”
“It can. The biggest concerns are during late summer and early fall, when bats migrate.”
She had the weird feeling there was something crawling in her hair. “Um, bats migrate?”
He nodded.
“I could have gone my whole life without knowing that.”
“They don’t want to hang with you any more than you want to hang with them.”
“Uh-huh. That sounds nice, but I don’t actually believe that. I think bats get a good laugh out of making girls scream.”
“Maybe. I hadn’t thought about it, but you could be right.”
He showed her part of a DVD and a few more pictures, then handed her a map of the area.
“Here’s the closest wind farm,” he said, pointing to the map. “You can take a drive out there if you want to see them in person. The area is fenced off, but you can drive up close enough to get an idea of the size and the noise.” He grinned. “Go during the day and you’ll avoid the bats.”
“Note to self,” she said, taking the paper. “Thanks. I appreciate all the info.”
They started back toward the main building.
“How are you liking small-town life?” he asked.
“It’s great. I’m still learning everyone’s name.”
“That will take a while. I’ve seen you and Josh Golden together a few times.”
His voice was casual, but she had an idea that the statement was anything but.
“We’re not together,” she said quickly. “He showed me a house that’s coming on the market and we’re on a committee. Nothing more.”
Ethan laughed. “Women aren’t usually so quick to separate themselves from any association with him.”
She winced. “I don’t mean to say I don’t like him.” She paused. “Just not, you know, in that way.”
Almost the truth, she reminded herself. Wanting to have sex with someone was not the same as liking the person. Erratic hormones had a will of their own, while her mind was more concerned with the inner qualities of a man.
“Apparently,” Ethan said, his dark eyes twinkling with humor.
She sighed. “The local celebrity thing is a challenge. I don’t know what to say.”
“You’re doing fine. Truthfully, Josh is a whole lot more interesting than the guy who carves jewelry out of cattle dung.”
“At least he probably smells better.”
Ethan glanced at her. “He’s not a bad guy.”
“I thought you two didn’t get along,” she said, then clamped her fingers over her mouth. “Sorry,” she mumbled, dropping her hand. “People talk and sometimes I listen.”
“I understand. Don’t worry about it.” He kept walking. “Whatever happened between Josh and me was a long time ago. Have you ever been to a race?”
She shook her head.
“There’s always a crowd. The riders are in packs, so close together that the slightest mistake can take nearly anyone down. The speeds are incredible. On the downhill part of a course, fifty or sixty miles an hour isn’t impossible. What happened to me wasn’t Josh’s fault. I actually hit him, but I’m the one who went down.”
“Then why aren’t you two speaking?”
Ethan flashed her a grin. “You’ll have to ask Josh that.”
They reached her car.
“I appreciate the time,” she told him. “Thanks for the tour and the lesson on bats.”
“Anytime.”
He waved and walked back to the office.
His stride was long and easy, with only the faintest hint of a limp. He was single, good-looking and charming. And she felt absolutely nothing when she was around him. Somebody somewhere sure had a sense of humor.
JOSH LOOKED UP AS both Marsha and Pia walked into his office. Eddie waved at him from her desk, then turned her back on him, as if silently claiming this wasn’t her business. A sentiment that didn’t leave Josh with an especially good feeling.
“Have you heard?” Pia asked, plopping into one of the chairs on the other side of his desk. “A big bike race got canceled and they’re shopping for a new location. I just got a call. It’s fantastic.”
“Yes. A company pulling out of an event because they’re losing money is a reason to celebrate,” Marsha said dryly. “Maybe later we’ll find out there are layoffs and we can really party.”
Pia rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. Of course I don’t want anyone to lose their job. But this doesn’t have to be a bad thing for the charity. Not if someone else picks up the slack, which we’re going to do.” She handed Josh a sheet of paper. “I know what you’re thinking. We’re doing Race for the Cure, but that’s a race for runners. And only one day. This is so much more. Major event on the tour, dozens of sexy guys on bikes. Heads in beds. They’re desperate—which is where we come in.”
“We who?” he asked, already having a good idea of where this conversation was going.
“The town,” Pia told him triumphantly. “I’ve done some checking on the costs and expectations and I know we can pull this off. We’ll move the entire bike race to Fool’s Gold. It’s a quiet weekend for us, so there are plenty of hotel rooms. I’ve already put a tentative hold on every empty room between here and Sacramento. Heads in beds. You know how we love that.”
Marsha studied him. He read the concern in her gaze and knew she was worried about him.
“The town can’t cover all the costs,” he began.
“I know, but I’m already talking to a few companies,” Pia told him, slapping a folder on his desk. “If they’ll cough up the prize money, we’re good to go. The rest of the work can be done by volunteers. You know