Reece

by Lori Wilde

  “C’mon, let’s get out of this hot sun.” He touched her arm as they stepped inside.

  Instead of cooling off, Lanie suddenly felt twenty degrees warmer. Reece reached up to pull the sliding metal door down its track, and she couldn’t help noticing the sinewy strength in his body. Lanie tried to wipe the lust off her face and replace it with a look of polished professionalism. He already thought she was a flake. Why make matters worse by making him think she was a seductive flake.

  He walked beside her as they passed between rows of green plastic flowerpots. “What I don’t understand is, why would anyone buy a nonworking animal? And why did you name the thing Winnie?”

  “What did you expect me to name her … Flicka?” She grinned as he considered the name from the vintage TV show.

  “That’s a start.” Reece reached out to straighten a display on Lanie’s side of the aisle. His arm brushed her body. She shivered at his touch, remembering the sight of him wrapped only in a towel.

  His eyes caught hers. He must have felt the spark, too.

  “Cats catch mice, dogs hunt,” Reece continued and resumed his stride as if nothing had passed between them. “Cows give milk, and you can ride a normal horse. Why did you waste your money on a shrimp like Winnie?”

  “She was a gift of love. And I don’t consider his money wasted.”

  Reece arched one eyebrow. His silence invited her to say more. Around Reece, Lanie found herself shy and vulnerable. If she talked about her father now, she might cry. They approached the office together, and Reece stepped back to let her enter first.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” said Lanie. “Here’s your T-shirt. I washed and pressed it for you.”

  Howard popped his head in the door behind him, but Reece appeared not to notice.

  “I was wondering what happened to my favorite shirt. Forgot I left it at your house.” Lanie tried to stop him before he said more, but he took the shirt and held it up. “Ironed, huh? Never wore an ironed T-shirt before, but there’s always a first.” Lanie hadn’t heard him talk this much before.

  She tried to shut him up. “Umm, Reece—”

  “You don’t iron your nighties, do you?” Reece grinned broadly and plunged further into the mire. “You know, like the oversized pajama top you wore last night?”

  Behind them, Howard cleared his throat.

  Reece whirled around and started at the sight of his employee.

  “Uh, I’ll come back later,” Howard said, “when you’re not so busy.” He turned to leave, but Reece stopped him with a hand on the shoulder.

  “Don’t go. It’s not, ah, what you think.”

  “I don’t think nothin’.” Howard shot a glance at Lanie who stood openmouthed at Reece’s unexpected teasing. “But if I was to think something”—he winked at Reece—“I’d think you know how to pick ’em. Anyhow, it’s about time.”

  For the moment, Reece seemed at a loss for words. “Howard—”

  “I just stopped by to ask y’all if you want one of Etta’s burgers. But being as you’re so busy, I’ll just make myself scarce.” Howard left as quickly as he’d entered.

  Reece folded the shirt. He stepped to the door and shoved it shut with his heel. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was standing there.” Then, as if unaware of what he was doing, he crumpled the shirt in his hands.

  Lanie fumbled with a pencil on the desk. “It’s nothing new. I’m used to fighting my reputation.” At the shocked expression on his face, she hastened to add, “A lot of people think I’m strange because I have a unique pet and because weird things happen to me. Like last night—”

  “Yes, about last night.” Reece leaned against the closed door and toyed with the design on the shirt. “I have to warn you, the law’s hell on Peeping Toms around here.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile. “Next time you want to peep, just let me know. You don’t have to sneak around outside my bedroom window for a free show.”

  “I didn’t … I wasn’t…” The audacity of this guy! “For your information, Maurice Masardi, I’ve seen little boys before, so your generous offer is quite unnecessary.”

  Reece laughed at the uncomplimentary comparison. He didn’t know what had prompted him to tease Lanie as he had, but he knew he deserved the insult. Lanie stared back at him, still breathing fire.

  One hand rested in a challenging manner on her hip. Even in slacks, she looked sexy. Irrationally, he found himself wanting to hold her and kiss away her anger. He wanted her rigid stance to melt away as he took her into his arms.

  Easy, Masardi, he cautioned himself, this is your employee.

  He met her gaze and noticed the defiant, upward thrust of her chin. But the eyes told the true story. In them he read a challenge, but there was something more subtle, as well. Fear, perhaps?

  Automatically, he took a step toward Lanie. She retreated a half step, stopping with a grimace when the backs of her legs touched the desk. Reece’s eyes trailed to the grim line of her mouth. A faint blue spot marked the left corner of her lip. One more step, and he reached out to touch the bruise on her mouth.

  By now, the hardness had left her eyes and was replaced with curiosity. Her expression softened, and her eyes widened slightly, all of which made him want to touch more than her lip. Lightly, he ran the pad of his thumb over the tender flesh. He had forgotten how soft a woman’s lips could be.

  Involuntarily, his tongue flicked out to moisten his own lips. Lanie innocently repeated the gesture. The wet, pink tip touched his thumb, and Reece self-consciously returned his hand to his side.

  What had gotten into him? He didn’t need to get involved with a woman right now, especially this one who seemed to turn everything she touched into disaster. And although he begrudgingly acknowledged the attraction she held for him, he knew a fling was out of the question.

  Partly because she didn’t seem to be the “fling” type, but mostly because succumbing to his baser urges would mess up their working relationship. Why, when things were starting to look up, did she have to bungle into his life and complicate it?

  Reece wiped his damp palms on his back pockets. “You, ah, should have put ice on that lip right after you hurt it.” God, what an idiot! Of course she knew that.

  A shy smile that seemed awkward on her face lifted the bruise a fraction. In an instant it was gone, replaced by a look of pure devilment. “Thank you, Dr. Masardi,” she said and eased herself away from the desk. “What do you recommend for splinters?”

  Reece squinted at her in consternation. What did that have to do with her bruised lip? “Huh?”

  “My sit-down is full of fence splinters. Since it was your fence that caused it, the least you can do is recommend somebody to pull them out.” Her lower lip pouted out, but he could see she was trying not to laugh. “What do y’all have around here … midwives?”

  The little fox! She was enjoying this far too much. Reece walked over to his desk and laid the shirt on one corner, then placed his truck keys on top.

  The action put some distance between them and gave him a moment to respond without sounding winded. He sat on the desktop and rested his feet on the chair. He smiled at her reaction to his uncharacteristic impropriety.

  “Nope,” he said. “I don’t know of any midwives around here. But I can give you the name of a good veterinarian.”

  Reece was immediately rewarded with the smile Lanie could no longer hold back. For some reason, it warmed him.

  “I doubt that an animal doctor could help me.”

  “On the contrary. This one is an expert in your problem.” At Lanie’s quizzical expression, he continued. “His sign says, ‘Specializes in Horses, Cattle, and Asses.’ What more could you want?”

  To his amazement, she laughed out loud. It was a pleasant, musical sound. He had half expected her to react with embarrassment or to try to cover her surprise. What he hadn’t expected was for her to laugh at herself so wholeheartedly.

  She slid into her chair, wincing slightly. “I de
served that. Touché.”

  “Don’t you mean, ‘tushy’?”

  She groaned, and Reece held up his hands as if to fend off thrown objects. His watch beeped twice to announce the noon hour.

  “Look, Howard ought to be back soon. Do you want to get a burger from Etta’s?” He could have kicked himself as he watched her waver in indecision.

  Fool! he told himself. What about not getting involved with an employee? Especially this one!

  Mentally, he reassured himself that this was nothing more than if he were sharing lunch with Violet or Howard. But he knew better.

  “Thanks, but if you don’t mind, I need to spend my lunchtime making phone calls.” She retrieved a scrap of paper from her designer purse. “However, if you don’t want me to conduct my Stop the Highway campaign from here, I’ll understand.”

  Reece stood and shoved the chair under the desk. Of course he minded. If that look on her face was any indication, she was determined to wreck his plan for the business. What had he done to deserve this kind of punishment?

  Since she wasn’t paid for her lunchtime, she was entitled to use it as she pleased. And even if he tried to stop her, Reece had no doubt she’d redouble her efforts to foul up the highway plan. He clenched his teeth in frustration.

  “Do whatever the you want,” he muttered and stalked out of the room.

  5

  By Friday, Lanie had joined a committee to oppose construction of the highway. Her initial assignment, distributing the group’s fliers, should be simple enough, she reasoned. All she had to do was ask Violet to tuck one into each shopper’s bag.

  As for Reece, ever since Lanie had mentioned fighting the proposed highway, his demeanor had been businesslike and remote. She tapped her pencil against the computer on her desk. Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything to him about her efforts.

  Touching a finger to her lip, she recalled the gentleness with which he’d touched her and the concern that had been evident in his soul-searching eyes. She recalled the way he’d smiled as he joked with her.

  Then, just when she was beginning to think he had a personality, he had turned into Mr. Businessman.

  Reece’s deep voice came to her from outside the office. “Mom, where’ve you been the past couple of days? We’ve missed you.”

  “Why? Does Elaine need my help?”

  Reece hesitated and cleared his throat. “No, she’s doing fine.” Lanie breathed a sigh of relief. “Next week I’ll take her with me on some deliveries.”

  Lanie looked at the stacks of forms on her desk and wondered how he could consider having her gallivant around the countryside with all these papers still a mess.

  Besides, she had no desire to share the close confines of a pickup truck cab with her stone-faced boss.

  Or worse, what if a drive in the country put him in a good mood, and he turned on the charm she’d glimpsed Tuesday? She wouldn’t be able to deal with it.

  Lanie grew annoyed with herself for having eavesdropped on their conversation in the first place. She went to the filing cabinet and started arranging the vaccine order forms in their rightful places.

  Even so, Dot’s voice drifted to her above the rattling of papers.

  “Oh, honey, I’ve been having the best time. It’s amazing how a person can live in one area for sixty years and never visit the local museums and historical sites.” Her soft voice fairly bubbled with excitement. “My friend and I have been setting out to rectify the situation.”

  Reece’s laugh was one of amusement. “Great. I’m glad you’re having a good time. While you’re in town, why don’t you pick up a party dress for the Bliss Banquet? And let me know what color it is so I can buy you a corsage to match.”

  There was a brief silence.

  When Dot spoke, her words were calculated. “Thank you, honey, but that won’t be necessary. I already have someone to accompany me.”

  Reece’s voice was soft, almost wounded. “You didn’t have to find an escort. I’d have been honored to take you again.”

  Again, Dot seemed to struggle for just the right words. “That’s very sweet, but Walter isn’t an escort. He’s my date.”

  The quiet that followed magnified every click of Lanie’s heels as she crossed the room to retrieve the seed catalog. She debated whether to close the door to help shut out their conversation. No, she decided, that might seem too obvious.

  “I see.” Lanie could tell by his tone that he didn’t.

  “If you need a date, dear, why don’t you ask Elaine?”

  Lanie somersaulted the catalog across her desk. On impact, the phone skidded over the edge and clanged to the floor.

  Great, she thought, Zany Lanie strikes again. She stooped to pick up the phone and was reeling in the receiver when two pairs of shoes appeared in the office.

  “Elaine, dear, are you okay?”

  “Y-yes, ma’am, just a bit klutzy today.” She stood and set the phone back in its rightful place on her desk.

  “What’s today got to do with it?” Reece glared at her. Lanie glared back.

  Dot laid a hand on her son’s arm. “Now, Maurice, you promised you’d be nice to Elaine.” Dot hitched her purse strap up on her shoulder and sidled toward the door. “You have something to ask Elaine, so I’ll make myself scarce. Bye!”

  Dot closed the door behind her, leaving Lanie to deal with Reece and his scowl. She could tell he wasn’t looking forward to asking her to accompany him to the banquet. Well, that made two of them! She had to let him off the hook.

  “Look, you don’t have to—”

  “You’re damn right I don’t have to. What I do want to ask you is to put some shoes on your horse if you insist on bringing her here.”

  “Huh?”

  “Every day your horse gets the rips and starts chasing my cat through the store. This morning she lost her footing and crashed into one of the display bins.” He reached past her for the old-fashioned Rolodex and flipped to the listings for Bliss County.

  The nearness of him was intoxicating. If there’d been room, Lanie would have retreated. This was one of those times when she was overwhelmed by his forcefulness. With his elbow mere inches from her own, she hoped he wouldn’t notice her losing battle with her emotions.

  Part of her was relieved that he hadn’t asked her to the banquet. Part was miffed that he’d been so short with her. But mostly she was hurt that he didn’t want her to go with him, that he chose instead to chastise her for her horse’s behavior. She wondered if he’d make her pay for the damaged bin.

  It’s just as well, she soothed herself. We’re as different as night and day. Silly and sober. Goofy and grumpy. Impetuous and intractable.

  He handed her the phone book, and their hands touched briefly. Lanie had never before been so aware of an accidental touch. Unreasonably, she wished it had been intentional.

  She looked up at Reece and saw that the angry glare was gone. From this close range, she studied the tiny untanned creases that gathered at the outer edges of his eyes.

  Reece pointed to the name he’d circled. “This guy is the best farrier in Bliss. Rubber shoes will keep Winnie from slipping on the tile floor.”

  “Thanks. I’ll give him a call.”

  Reece stayed where he was, looking for all the world like there was something else he wanted to say. He absentmindedly scratched his flat stomach, and Lanie wished he hadn’t drawn her attention to the superb fit of his cotton shirt.

  Even though he wore shorts every day, his athletic-fit shirt always emphasized his narrow waist. Lanie forced her eyes away from his midsection, fearing her imagination might head to other parts of his anatomy.

  “There is one other thing I need to ask you,” he ventured. Panic filled Lanie’s chest, squeezing her lungs until she could hardly breathe. He was going to ask her to the banquet after all! Her conflicting feelings confused her. How should she answer him?

  “Yes.” Her breath came out in a gush.

  Reece reached into his front shorts po
cket. So much for reining in her imagination. He extracted a crumpled piece of paper that gave no hint of an attempt to fold it. He smoothed it out and handed it to her.

  “About this flier of yours urging ‘all interested persons’ to attend next week’s Board of Supervisors meeting.” He was smiling, but Lanie detected a muscle twitching in his jaw. “I’d be most happy to accept your kind invitation.”

  Lanie didn’t like the dangerous gentleness of his tone.

  “And while we’re on the subject, next time you want to distribute letters to our customers … don’t.”

  “What’s the matter, Reece, afraid I might convince your farmer friends that the highway is not in their best interest?”

  Reece snorted as he turned around and reached for the doorknob. “The farmers don’t need an outsider to tell them what’s in their best interest.”

  “Maybe that’s what you think, but there are plenty others who share my views. I’ll spend every spare minute this weekend distributing fliers and drumming up supporters. Don’t be surprised if this highway lunacy is defeated next week.”

  Reece paused half in and half out of the door. “Gee,” he said, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, “and I would have thought that a woman as pretty as you would have much better ways to spend her weekends.”

  He closed the door behind him as he exited. A second later, it opened again, and Reece stuck his head in.

  “By the way, your horoscope this morning said not to underestimate a powerful opponent.”

  Lanie stared after him. When had he started reading her horoscope?

  Lanie pushed an annoying strand of hair behind her ear and pried at the stained rubber applique adorning the bottom of the bathtub. “Powerful opponent, indeed,” she muttered as she thought of Reece’s comment earlier that day. “I’ll bet he’s not half as powerful as the glue on the bottom of this.”

  After taking Winnie to get fitted for shoes and making a trip to the local merchants to post her fliers, she’d decided to attack the mildew in the tiny bathroom.

  By the time she finished, the old tub almost shone. Lanie was feeling smug with success when she heard a knock at the back door.