by Debra Webb
“You shouldn’t overreach like that,” a warm, husky male voice warned.
Chase. Caroline shivered in spite of herself.
“I’m perfectly fine,” she snapped. “You do your job and I’ll do—”
The ladder swayed. Caroline shrieked. She grabbed for the rung above her. And then she was falling.
When she hit the ground somehow Chase’s arms were around her, and his body had absorbed most of the impact. The ladder fell right on top of them but he blocked most of that impact as well by rolling her onto her back, keeping his head low so as not to get whacked. His face was buried in the crook of her neck. She could feel his warm breath on her skin...the weight of him pressing her against the ground. Something cold and sticky penetrated the lust gathering in her chest.
Paint.
The white paint covered both of them from neck to thigh.
Chase shoved the ladder aside and pushed up onto his knees. “You okay?”
“Sure...I think.” She executed a quick mental inventory.
A crowd gathered around them but Caroline couldn’t take her eyes off the man hovering above her. The wet paint plastered the tee to his broad shoulders and sculpted chest. She looked down belatedly, realizing it had done the same to her.
Standing now, he offered his hand. Still a little rattled, she hadn’t realized he’d moved. Thankfully she hadn’t hit her head. But why was she suddenly dizzy?
Chase gripped her hand and pulled her to her feet. Her knees buckled. His arm went around her waist and pulled her weight against his side.
“Gracious child, are you all right?” Henri surveyed her with fearful eyes. “Chase, take her home. Y’all need to get cleaned up and, from the looks of her, she needs some rest.”
Caroline didn’t want to go with Chase. They’d be alone and...
“I’m okay,” Caroline argued. “I can take myself home.”
“You rode with us,” Chase growled.
She had. Chase had offered to haul away the debris in his old truck. So they’d come in it. Caroline had been forced to sit in the middle. Henri had insisted that it made her car sick to sit in the middle. Shane and some of the other kids were staying with a couple who’d volunteered to do the child care duty.
“Marvin’ll give me a lift home,” Henri added. “You just take care of our Caroline.”
The other volunteers were staring at Caroline. Murmuring emphasized Henri’s words, but Caroline couldn’t quite make out what everyone was talking about. What was wrong with her? She frowned. She felt so lightheaded.
Chase practically dragged her to his truck. He opened the passenger side door and helped her inside. Caroline dropped her head against the back of the seat and closed her eyes. She felt so woozy. It was weird.
“Caroline.”
She opened her eyes to find Chase leaning inside the cab peering down at her. “Yes,” she managed.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
She sighed. “I think I’m just overtired. You know, responding to all the stress...” Her voice trailed off. She wasn’t about to admit that Tristan’s infidelity, the accident, and seeing Chase all over again was likely the problem. She just needed to rest a little while and she’d be as good as new again.
“Just take me home,” she said when he didn’t move. It wasn’t until he’d closed her door and slid in behind the steering wheel that she realized what she’d said. Home. She’d asked him to take her home.
~*~
“I made you some hot chocolate,” Chase announced when Caroline at last entered the kitchen. She looked pale and tired. He swallowed hard at how vulnerable she appeared with her damp hair hanging around her shoulders and wearing Henri’s terry-cloth robe.
“Thanks.” She settled gingerly into a chair and smiled wanly.
His lips titled in an answering gesture. “I remembered that you like marshmallows, too.” He set the cup and saucer on the table, then picked up his own mug of the sweet, warm stuff and joined her. “Are you sore?”
“Just a little.” She sipped her chocolate. “I think I’m just embarrassed more than anything else.” Pink darkened her cheeks.
“They’ll talk about it for years, you know.” Chase couldn’t prevent a little chuckle. He and Caroline had always managed to be the talk of the town. Everyone had expected them to marry and live happily ever after. The town’s golden couple—a sheriff and a doctor. What more could any small town want?
But fate had stepped in and changed everything.
Chase forced the painful memories away. He’d beaten himself up enough already over that kiss. If he hadn’t been so angry he would never have done it.
But, God, somehow, he just couldn’t completely regret it.
“Well,” Caroline offered with a little chuckle of her own, “as my grandmother used to say, ‘when they’re talking about me they’re letting someone else rest.’”
“I still miss her.” The words were out of Chase’s mouth before he could stop them. He was having a lot of trouble that way lately.
Caroline’s gaze met his for the first time since she’d entered the room. “Me, too.”
“Thank you for rescuing me today,” she added abruptly. “I’m sure that fall would have been much worse if you hadn’t stepped in.”
“It was nothing,” he assured her, then hesitated. “About last night—”
She held up a hand. “Let’s not go there, okay?”
Chase shrugged. He watched her closely, determined to tell whether that kiss had affected her as much as it did him. “If that’s the way you want it.”
She leveled a gaze on his that gave away nothing. “That’s the way I want it.”
Disappointment slid through his veins. The response he’d imagined in her had been just that—imagined. Too bad he couldn’t pretend he hadn’t had one either. But his had been far too evident. A man couldn’t exactly hide the way he felt when it came to a woman. But he didn’t have to admit that it was more than just physical. Besides, it wasn’t...was it?
~*~
Monday morning hadn’t come soon enough to suit Caroline. She shoved the gearshift of Chase’s old truck into park and got out. She stared up at the two-story Victoria style house she’d called home for most of her life and experienced the sudden, near overwhelming urge to weep. The grandmother she’d loved so dearly was gone...nothing was the same.
Before Caroline could give in to her sentimental urges, a car pulled up behind her in the driveway. Felix Reems. He’d had another breakfast appointment so he’d asked to meet her here rather than at Chase’s. Caroline had a feeling he wanted her alone rather than surrounded by back-up.
“My, it’s a lovely day,” Reems said as he exited his meticulously maintained sedan. Everything about Felix was always immaculately kept. From his pressed suits and bow ties to his shiny leather oxfords.
“Good morning, Mr. Reems.” Caroline pushed a cheery smile into place.
“I called Amos Saturday morning after I saw you at the sheriff’s office and took the liberty of having the power and water turn on.”
Understandable. “Thank you.”
“We can’t show a dark house.” Felix led the way onto the porch and unlocked the door. He swept his arm in the direction of the open doorway. “Welcome home, Caroline.”
She swallowed the renewed urge to cry. She should have smiled or something but emotion had her by the throat. Instead, she entered the house, turning on the entry hall light just like she’d done thousands of times before. The smell of dust and disuse permeated the air. Caroline forced one foot in front of the other until she made her way to the parlor. Sheets draped the furniture making them look like waiting ghosts.
Everything was exactly as she had left it. Caroline’s heart made an extra little beat. It was the one thing she could always count on, home never changed. And this was home. She frowned and tears once more burned her eyes. But she didn’t live here anymore. This wasn’t her home now. Her St. Louis townhouse flitted through h
er mind. That wasn’t home either. She compressed her lips into a firm line to hold back the fresh surge of emotions welling inside her. Who was she now? Where was she going? And where was home?
“Come along, Caroline, and I’ll show you the only room that worries me.”
She followed him along the hall and to the kitchen without speaking. Her heart pounded, her head ached. She did not want to be here...but she owed it to her grandmother to do the right thing.
He waved his arms magnanimously. “The kitchen just needs a bit of freshening up.” He braced his hands on his hips. “A coat of paint would do nicely, I believe.”
Caroline took a deep breath. “You’re right. A little painting wouldn’t hurt.”
“I’ll call Mr. Hadley.” He stroked his chin. “The prospective buyers will be in town next week. That would be plenty of time for Mr. Hadley to whip the place into shape. Mrs. Hadley still does a bit of housecleaning. I’m sure she’d be happy to pitch in and help her husband out.”
“I’ll do it.” The words were Caroline’s. She just hadn’t expected to say them.
Felix arched a skeptical brow. “You’re sure you want to do the painting yourself?”
Caroline’s cheeks heated at the remembered paint fiasco at the chapel the day before. “I’m certain,” she stated unconditionally.
“Well, if you’re sure,” he acquiesced reluctantly. “But it’ll be an awful lot of work. We certainly want it finished before the arrival of the buyers.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Reems,” Caroline guaranteed, a new conviction in her voice. “I’ll have the house ready. It’s well past time I sold it to someone who will love and take care of it the way my grandmother did.”
“Very well.” Felix reached into his jacket pocket. “Here is the list of items I would suggest that are taken care of.”
Caroline surveyed the items and nodded. “Mr. Hadley will take care of the yard as usual. If I need his help with any of this I’ll let him know.”
“I’ll check your progress later in the week then.”
The realtor said his goodbyes and hurried away leaving Caroline alone with a lifetime of memories. She walked slowly from room to room and considered the task before her. Zac had said that the car would be ready in two weeks. Why not stay here until she could take it with her? That would prevent having to make a return visit. She could cut her ties to Lucy’s Branch once and for all. She would be busy with preparing the house for sale so the time would pass quickly. Now that the water and power were on she could stay here, thus alleviating the problem of being too near Chase.
And the whole project would give her the time she needed to think about what she wanted to do. Going back to St. Louis was not an option, at least not at this point. But perhaps she would change her mind once she recovered from the humiliation Tristan had wielded. There were plenty of hospitals and clinics there. Why did she have to run away just because Tristan was an ass?
A smile crept up on her lips as she wandered through her old bedroom. She considered the pictures and banners on the walls. Maybe staying here wouldn’t be so bad. She could pack up all the things she wanted to keep and dole out the ones she wanted to pass along to old friends of her and her grandmother. She could pack up the past once and for all. What did she mean leaving everything like this all these years? Did she somehow believe deep in her heart that if it all stayed the same that somehow she might be able to come back one day?
“Foolish, Caroline,” she muttered. This was the past. There was no going back. All she had to do was put it in its proper place.
Memphis was where she was going, she decided as she marched back down the stairs. She wanted a whole new, fresh beginning with no history to get in the way. And just maybe she could put the past behind her once and for all.
As Caroline took the last step down into the entry hall the telephone rang, startling her. Felix didn’t tell her he’d gotten the phone turned on, too. How did the man do so much so quickly? Caroline laughed, shaking her head. Felix had connections. He was a mover and a shaker in this little town.
She picked up the receiver, still awed that he’d accomplished so much in such a short time. “Hello.”
“Caroline?”
It was Julie. “What’s up, Julie?”
“I called Felix and he said you were getting the house ready to sell.”
The whole town probably knew by now. “Yeah, it’s time.” Caroline heard the note of sadness in her own voice.
“I was wondering whether you’d be interested in one final girl’s night out before my big day on Saturday.”
“Sounds great. When did you have in mind?” Caroline certainly had no plans other than those involving the house.
“How about Friday night? I’ll invite Sherry.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Maybe we can do lunch Wednesday?” By then Caroline would likely need a break.
“See you Wednesday then.”
~*~
It was well past dark on Monday evening when Chase parked his Jeep in Caroline’s driveway. He stared at the covered basket in the passenger seat. Henri had insisted he bring Caroline dinner and use the excuse to check up on her. He didn’t know why Henri couldn’t do the chore herself, but she’d insisted that she had plans. Marvin was taking her to dinner. Shane was spending the night with a friend. There was absolutely no logical excuse why Chase couldn’t do it.
Except that he didn’t want to see Caroline. He’d struggled with distracting thoughts of her all day. The feel of her in his arms...the taste of her on his lips had haunted him ruthlessly. The last thing he needed was to see her. Hell, even the sound of her voice was too much.
But Henri could be a powerful persuader. Chase frowned as he considered the fact that Henri had gone out to dinner with Marvin every Monday night for the past month. Surely...no, he didn’t even want to think about that. He needed Henri too much to even consider she might be thinking of...Forget it, Garrett, he told himself. You have enough problems now without borrowing trouble.
Chase climbed out of the Jeep, basket in hand. He might as well suck it up and get this over with. He just wouldn’t go inside. He’d make the delivery right there at the front door. He walked across the front porch with purpose, but then hesitated at the door. The windows were raised to allow the house to air out, he imagined. But that wasn’t what had given him pause. He could hear Caroline talking to someone.
“I only called to tell you...no, Tristan, I’m not coming back.”
Chase stiffened. She was talking to her fiancé—or ex-fiancé, it seemed. Good. Wait. He wasn’t supposed to care who Caroline spoke to or who she married.
“No. You can’t come down here. I don’t want to see you.”
Chase could hear the pain in her voice; it twisted the knot already tied in his gut.
“Yes, you can have your damned car back.” Pause. “In two weeks. I’ve already told you.” Longer pause. “I don’t care. You can drive the Buick. It won’t kill you. In two weeks, I’ll meet you half way and we’ll exchange cars.”
She was going to see him again. A sinking feeling dragged through Chase.
“Fine. I’ll think about it, but I don’t want to see you or hear from you until then.” Pause. “I said I’d think about it, but I’m not making any promises.”
He wanted her back. Chase wanted to kill him.
“Goodbye, Tristan.”
The phone slammed into the receiver.
It wasn’t until that moment that Chase realized he’d been holding his breath. He exhaled, the effort proving more than a little difficult. Gritting his teeth, he raised his fist and rapped on the door.
It opened. She blinked in surprise. “Chase. What are you doing here?”
Nothing like a warm welcome. “I brought this.” He extended the basket in her direction. “Henri worried that you wouldn’t eat right if she didn’t send over something.”
“How sweet of her.” Caroline accepted the basket. “I’ve been so busy I hadn’t even tho
ught to eat.”
She’d always been bad to do that. Chase felt contrite now. It was a good thing Henri had thought to send something over. Though Caroline looked tired she seemed more rested than yesterday afternoon. Or maybe it was just that she’d worked off some of the stress he felt certain had played a large part in her look of fatigue. But he wasn’t supposed to notice...or care.
“Well, you...ah...have a nice evening then.” He backed up a step.
The longer he stood here the more likely he was to say or do something stupid. She looked entirely too enticing in that ragged old t-shirt and those well-worn jeans. His gaze jerked back to the t-shirt. It was from high school. An old Raiders shirt. He’d received the shirt from the coach, the entire football team had gotten one. And Chase had given his to Caroline.
“You’ve eaten already?”
Caroline looked as startled as he felt at her own question. “I...ah...I’ll eat at home. I wanted to get this to you before it got cold and—”
She nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think. You probably want to eat with Shane.”
“Right.” Chase nodded. He hated to lie, but it was necessary, and besides he hadn’t actually lied. “I’d better get going.” He backed up another step.
“Thank Henri for me,” Caroline called after him.
“Sure thing.” Chase turned his back and bounded down the steps. He would not look back no matter how badly he wanted to.
“Good night, Chase.”
He froze, one hand on his Jeep door. He had to look back. Had to see her one more time. She stood in the doorway, the hall light silhouetting her just the way it had hundreds of times before when he’d kissed her goodnight and left her on her grandmother’s porch.
He swallowed back the yearning. “Good night, Caroline.”
He left. He had to. If he’d stayed one more second, he’d have run back to her and begged her to forget all about Tristan Rodgers.
Chapter Six
