When finished, she stuffed their trash into the bag, sat back, and tried running her fingers through her hair. They caught in the numerous tangles from her ride in the back.
“It’s a mess.”
“I know.” She glanced across at him and swallowed at the unexpected warmth in his expression. “Thank you for the coffee, and the food, and…the apology.”
He nodded, shifted toward her and said, “You have very expressive eyes. Hazel, right? Pretty.”
Sharee felt a flush start at her neck. Why was he being nice again? He’d apologized, but… With a quick motion, she reached up to push both hands through her curls. Her fingers slid and straightened, working out the tangles. When she dropped her hands, he reached to brush an errant strand from her face.
Every nerve in her body tensed; every muscle tightened. She drew in her breath and saw the look on his face change. Electricity jumped, arced between them. His fingers trailed along her jaw, dropped to her neck, and slid into her hair. Breathing was impossible. Her head arched backward, and her heart slammed hard against her chest.
His gaze held hers a moment before it dropped to her mouth. The hand at the back of her neck tightened, pulling her toward him even as he leaned forward. His mouth covered hers. The gentle, exploring pressure of his lips sent strokes of lightning through her.
Dear, Lord. Help me.
A second later, she put her palm against his chest and pushed. He hesitated, his fingers taut against the back of her neck; and then his mouth lifted, his hand fell away. He leaned back.
They sat in silence, their breathing filling the cab. The intensity of his look caused her to close her eyes. How did we go from constant irritation to this?
His fingers stroked her jaw again. “That’s what I’m wondering about, Sharee. Your avoidance this week. Does a kiss scare you so much? Or was it my attitude?”
She tried to find the words. You’re not a believer. I won’t date you, can’t marry you, so there’s no use starting this. But nothing came from her throat. The twist in her gut stopped her.
“I…I can’t…” The words stumbled out. Wrong. Tell him, Sharee. Tell him.
A slight inclination of his head indicated he’d heard her whisper. “I like you, Sharee. I like working with you. I’m sorry about last week. I can’t explain any more than you can right now. I guess we have a stalemate.” He leaned back against the seat. “Has someone hurt you before?”
“No. I mean, yes, but that’s not the reason. It’s…” Lord, how can I tell him? He doesn’t know you. He won’t understand.
Silence as he watched her. Then he nodded. “Okay.”
He started the engine, put it in reverse and backed out. The wheels spun their own quiet tune for a few miles.
He sent her a brief glance. “I know we need to work together. So, let’s forget this. For now.”
In a few minutes, they drove into Home Depot. When he parked the car, he turned his head in her direction and gave a mocking salute. “So tell me, Boss Lady, how big is this star supposed to be?”
Chapter 10
Lunch, the following Saturday, came after a long morning of work. John picked up a paper plate and utensils and thought over all they’d accomplished. A great deal. The project would be finished on time. Good.
He filled his plate and thanked the ladies that waited behind the serving table. He winked at Lynn. She supervised the lunches whenever they had Saturday work parties. She and the other women had outdone themselves today to make up for last Saturday’s absence.
After acting like a bear the week before, not just to Sharee, but to others as well, he felt like himself again. Being close-mouthed was one thing; acting harshly didn’t sit well.
Silence had reigned on the drive back from Home Depot last Saturday. Hers in reaction to the name he’d given her and his ribbing in the store. She’d sat on the other side of the cab again, arms crossed.
His own thoughts had cracked and run like pool balls after the initial hit. What was he doing? He’d already made this decision. No involvement. Yet, here he went again—teasing her, kissing her, riling her.
The attraction hadn’t left just because he’d wanted it to. Her vulnerability, her enthusiasm, even that stubbornness she exhibited—lifting her chin, ready to fight if needed—all of it attracted him. Balance that with the heart she had for others, and, well, what did he expect of himself? His mouth quirked as he remembered the wildness of her hair after the ride in the back of his truck. And the way the dress had fit her that day after church. He liked the whole picture.
Holding his plate now, he moved up behind her and stopped. Everyone had camped around the long table in the fellowship hall, talking and eating. Usually, he took his plate outside. He preferred that to the crowded table and endless chatter from the others. But today, his agenda differed. Today, he would make a statement.
George, on her right, gave him a hostile stare. Over the previous week when his irritation with Sharee showed, George had risen to her defense. No getting a seat there. He glanced to Sharee’s left. Christy Byrd, Ryann’s mom, sat next to her. Good. She would welcome him at the table.
“Do you think there’s room for one more, Christy?” He asked and watched Sharee’s back straighten. She had avoided him all morning.
Christy scooted over. “Of course, John. There’s always room for one more.”
He sat down between her and Sharee. Close quarters. His arm and leg rested against Sharee’s. She stopped eating.
A number of people looked their way. His impatience with Sharee last week had been noted and shared, he knew. The fact that he chose to sit beside her today would be noticed, too. He glanced around, and the others ducked their heads and resumed eating. Pastor Alan sent him a wary and inquiring look. John raised an eyebrow at him and began to eat.
He looked to his right and noted Sharee’s averted head. “So, did you explain your whole idea about this six-pointed star to Sam?”
“Yes.”
“And what did he think?”
Her eyes met his. “He thought it was a great idea, and he had no trouble understanding it at all.”
Beside her, George chuckled, and John looked past her at him. “You understood, too, George? About this star eight feet in the air and parallel to the ground?”
George nodded. “Yes. I guess I had it wrong before.” A touch of satisfaction filled the man’s voice.
John studied him. He hadn’t liked John’s treatment of Sharee last week, and he’d enjoy seeing Sharee put John in his place. “So, you don’t think doing a night project for airplanes is a problem?”
Sharee set her iced tea down so hard it slopped out, staining the tablecloth. Across the way, Lynn sat up and stared at the spreading stain. Pastor Alan’s eyes met John’s.
George shot him a hostile look, but before he could answer, John turned to Lynn. “Real good cooking, Lynn.”
“Thank you, John. A lot of the ladies helped today.”
“I can tell. Pork chops are delicious.” He elbowed Sharee. “Shall I get you some more tea?”
“No. I’m finished.” She didn’t hide the irritation in her voice and started to rise.
“Well, listen, if you’re going to get some dessert, I would love some of that peach cobbler. Do you…” He saw her stiffen. “Do you mind bringing me some?”
She glared. He gave her his best smile. Her eyes narrowed.
She bent down to pick up her plate and cup and said under her breath. “Oh, I’ll bring you some cobbler, all right.”
He didn’t hear the rest, but he’d be on guard when she came back. He watched her throw her paper plate and cup into the trash and walk toward the table with the desserts. The look on her face mirrored her voice.
He rose from the table as she began to heap peach cobbler into a dessert bowl He walked up behind her and slipped an arm around her, covering her hand with his. “I think that’s plenty. More than five people could eat.”
“Hey! Don’t spill it.” He took the bowl from her and sat it back on the table then lowered his head next to hers. “Of course, I like to eat it, not wear it.”
He grinned at her expression and returned to the table. The door slammed behind him. Hmm. Some door stops were needed. He caught Pastor Alan’s look and grinned. Alan shook his head but said nothing.
Once the work resumed, it took his time and thoughts; but later, as the volunteers began to leave, he glanced around to find Sharee. She stood with the hose, cleaning her brushes. He watched her a minute. She set the brushes down and washed paint from her face and arms. Ready to leave.
Picking up his tools, he headed for the truck but stopped next to Sharee on the way. “I need some bungee cords. They have them at the dollar store. Take a ride with me, and we’ll go get them.”
She lifted her head, holding the hose still. “You’ve had too much sun, or you’re just plain crazy. I’m not going anywhere with you. Once last week was enough.”
“Come on. Take a drive with me. Last week wasn’t all bad.” By the heightened color in her face, she knew exactly what he referred to.
Without a word, she dropped the hose. It spewed water over the pavement and forced him to jump out of its way. She walked to her car. John moved over to the faucet and turned off the hose, then strolled to his truck. Many of the volunteers had finished, and cars were exiting the parking lot by the minute. Lynn came from the fellowship hall and stopped by Sharee’s car to talk. Sharee opened the door to signal her readiness to leave, but Lynn didn’t appear to notice. More cars passed behind him. At length, Lynn hugged her and walked to her own car.
Well, he had tried the direct approach. He lifted the toolbox lid, put his tools away. He took his time. Lynn waved when she drove past him. A minute later, he heard Sharee coming; but he kept his head down, his hands busy.
Sharee snatched at his arm. “What did you do to my car?”
How had she pinned that to him so fast? “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about! My car was fine this morning. It’s been fine all week! I don’t know how or when, but you did something to it. It won’t even turn over.”
“Well, let me look at it.”
“No! Keep your hands off.” She whirled and headed toward the office. He watched her try the door, yanking on it with impatience. Alan and Daneen had left an hour earlier. She spun back toward the parking lot. George’s car and two others were last to leave.
“Thanks for the help, George!” John raised his voice as he heard Sharee’s shout. “See you later this week.”
Sharee ran toward the parking lot as George and the other cars pulled past him and circled the building toward the main road. She stopped at the edge, her mouth drawing into a line. In a moment, she raised her head and sent him a look from narrowed eyes.
He tried but couldn’t keep the smirk off his face. Disabling her car a few hours ago took no time at all. She made it easy because she never locked the car. Something they needed to talk about, like that other thing she did—picking up hitchhikers. But now, he wanted to talk her into dinner. They eyed each other a long time. At last, she sunk her hands into the pockets of her jeans and moved toward him.
“Okay, whatever you’re playing at, you win. Will you fix my car?”
“Later.”
“Later?”
“After we eat.”
“Eat?” She demanded. “I thought you said bungee cords.”
“I need some. We’ll get them first and then stop at the Lucky Dill. What about it? It’s almost 4:30. Close to dinner time.”
Her face didn’t lose its wariness. “I’ll get my purse.”
He cleared his throat as she turned away. She glanced at him, and he pulled her phone from his pocket. She grabbed for it, but he raised it over his head.
“You’re going to look silly trying to get this from me.” He had one cautious moment as he looked down at her. Janice would have spent the next thirty minutes fighting for it, and she never fought fair. He watched Sharee for a moment and relaxed. But her response surprised him.
“I could have you arrested for kidnapping.”
He shook his head and grinned. “Not yet.”
“All right.” Her words came grudgingly. “You win again.”
He pocketed her phone. Hmm. A little too easy?
“The Lucky Dill then, but I’m ordering the most expensive thing on the menu and two of those.”
“You won’t be able to eat half of it.”
“I’m sure I can think of something to do with the rest.” She turned and walked to the passenger door of his truck, opened it, and climbed into the cab.
He climbed in on his side, grabbing the seatbelt, snapping it into place, and waited.
“What?” she asked.
“Your seatbelt.”
“Oh, I forgot.” She pulled it across, hesitated and looked up at him with big eyes. “John?’
“Yes?”
“Could we call a truce here?”
He turned to get a better view of her face, feeling the caution again. “Okay.”
“Thank you.”
As he put the truck in reverse and began to back out, she put a hand on his arm. “Oh. Wait. I do need my purse.” He stopped the truck. “Do you mind getting it for me?”
“Okay.” When he stepped down, he let the door shut and took two steps away before shooting a glance over his shoulder.
Sharee threw the seatbelt off and jumped into the driver’s seat. He whirled, covered the ground in one step and shot his hand through the open window. She jumped as he grabbed her wrist and wrestled to free herself. When he managed to pull her hands off the wheel, he caught both her wrists in one hand and yanked open the door. She struggled against him as he dragged her out.
“You didn’t really think that would work, did you?” Her head came up, and he saw the defiance but also laughter.
“It almost did.”
“If you’d snapped that seatbelt in, girl, I might have trusted you.”
“Don’t call me girl.”
He laughed. She stuck her tongue out, and he pushed her back against the truck.
“Do that again.” His tone dared her.
Sharee’s eyes danced. They stood a moment grinning at each other before her face changed. She sobered and glanced away.
He ran his fingers along her chin and to the nape of her neck. The silken feel of it caused a groan inside, and he dropped his gaze to her mouth. She stiffened, looking like a wild horse about to run.
What was she afraid of?
He stepped back and cleared his voice. “Let me take you to dinner.” He gave his best “I’m harmless” look, but she drew her head back and frowned. She wasn’t buying that, not after the last week. He couldn’t blame her.
“Just dinner, I promise. Well, if you behave.” He strove to lighten the mood. “All bets are off if you try to take the truck again.”
Silence. He leaned away, putting some space between them.
She searched his face. “All right. No bungee cords?”
“Oh. Dinner and bungee cords, if that’s okay. I’ll run in. You won’t even have to get out. But I’ll take my keys.” He chanced a wink. “Wouldn’t want to tempt you.”
By the time they got to the dollar store, the lights were on. Twilight had dropped over them.
“Did they just get a new shipment or something?” Sharee scanned the crowded parking lot.
“Probably. I’ll just be a minute.”
Sharee jumped out the other side. “I’ll come, too. Might find something I don’t need.”
He stopped himself from taking her hand as she met him in front of the truck, but as they entered the store, he winked at her before veering off to the auto and patio aisle. She went the other way. He grabbed the bungee cords and cruised past other items, eyeing the array of inexpensive tools and patio items,
but he didn’t skimp on tools. The bungee cords would do for what he needed, but that would be all he brought here.
Sharee stood in the next aisle over, clutching a small package in one hand while staring at a large doll with the other.
He moved next to her. “I’m ready to check out. Do you want to look some more?”
She turned, eyes wide, and then lifted the doll. It took a moment. How innocent the doll looked without the gouged eyes and slit throat.
“It’s the same one, isn’t it?” Her voice had changed, deepened.
He took it from her. “It looks the same. Anyone could buy it here. It’s cheap, and a lot of people are in and out here every day. They could buy four or five.”
Sharee shuddered. “Let’s hope not. I don’t want Marci finding any more of them.”
He dipped his head in assent. “I think I’ll buy it and compare it with the others—just to make sure.”
They went to the counter together. He paid for the doll and the bungee cords and noted Sharee’s purchase—a bag of soft peppermints.
When they climbed into the truck, he dropped the bags behind the seat. “Did you notice the teeth marks in the first one?”
“No, but Cooper had it in his mouth.”
“Yes, but he was by my side until just before I saw you. He must have picked it up right where you were. Did he growl at you?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. If he gets a new toy or something, he’s possessive of it. I’m sorry that he scared you. It was dark, and if he just found that doll and growled at you, well… I understand why you were upset.”
“I wasn’t upset.”
He grinned. “I’m just saying he’s big, it was nighttime, you were alone and he growled. Scenario for a monster movie. If you weren’t scared, then you’re self-preservation skills are sadly lacking. Which, by the way…”
“Oh, so you admit he’s big? And I’ll accept the apology, too.”
He shot her a look, saw the laughter in her eyes, and told himself not to respond the way he wanted. That would send her running from him as soon he stopped the truck. She grinned as if sensing his forced restraint. At that, he gave a low growl. It caused her eyes to widen and the grin to waver.
Amber Alert: Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 1) Page 9
