Taken back by the thoughtfulness, she absently watched him transfer the last of her suitcases, and call the director of the ladies group.
“Hey, May, it’s Nate. Ms. Talbot is here, stranded near the Cordova ranch.” After a few moments, he said, “Well, no ma’am, I don’t plan on leaving her here. Mike’s coming to tow…”
Kristina turned from him and gathered her belongings from the front seat.
Tossing the can of spray in her purse, she shook her head. What a great first impression! Slinging the purse over her shoulder, she closed the doors and whirled around, colliding with Nathan. He reached out to steady her, and she stiffened against his touch. “Okay, ma’am, if you will allow me the great honor, I would be happy to escort you into town.”
She readjusted her purse on her shoulder, surreptitiously stepping away from his touch, “I would appreciate that. And I’m sorry about the pepper spray.”
“You’re just not used to small town ways. It will take some time to shake those old ghosts.”
A shiver ran down her spine as she thought of David.
“Well, let’s get you in the truck and safely in town.” He opened her door, and jogged to his side of the truck, calling out as he did, "You are going to have to wake your lazy bones up, David.”
She froze at the sound of her husband’s name. Just as if he had dumped a bucket of ice over her, her smile faded and her face must have mirrored her fear.
“I’m sorry, are you afraid of dogs?” Nathan scratched the German Shepherd behind the ears. “He may seem a little big and frightening, but he is really tame, especially when it comes to women.” To the dog he added, “Aren’t you, David?"
“Don’t worry; he’ll ride in the back." The dog let out a mournful whimper.
“I’m sorry, I was mistaken…I mean I thought...” she stopped, not wanting to explain further. Trying to recover, she went to stand next to David, and the dog immediately perked up. Laughing, Kristina scratched him behind his ears and his tongue lolled out of the side of his mouth as he opened it wider.
“Don’t get all excited there, boy. You still have to ride in the back.” David closed his mouth and stared at his owner with what could only be categorized as a doggy glare.
Kristina slid into the space the dog had vacated. Moments later, Nathan hopped up into the truck. As they pulled from the shoulder of the road, the dog poked his head in the open window in the back of the cab. The dog gave Kristina a quick, sopping lick. The combination of the exhaustion and stress from her trip finally came to a head, and she let out a startled laugh.
“David . . .” The dog gave its owner an innocent look.
At Nathan’s sharp command, the dog reluctantly pulled his head out of the window, and Nathan slid it closed. “I’m sorry, Ms. Talbot.”
Kristina assured him that she wasn’t offended. “And, please, you can call me Kristina.”
Laughing had released the tension building within her, but his steadfast, steely blue stare was back on her. Despite his warm, laid-back manner, she felt that every time he looked at her, he was dissecting her, trying to discern her deepest secrets. She shook herself; that was just the fear David instilled in her. She was no longer walking around on eggshells and looking over her shoulder. She looked down at her purse and wondered if time would heal the darkness that now resided in her heart, or had her light been snuffed out forever?
Chapter Two
While the two drove into town, Nathan noticed her fidgeting with her purse. He turned his head when he heard her snort of laughter, and saw her holding the can of pepper spray in her hand.
“I must have looked ridiculous, threatening you with pepper spray. Not exactly the esteemed English teacher impression I wanted to make.” After a moment, she peeked out from behind the veil of her hair and confided, “I thought you were going to pull out a knife when you reached for your cell phone.”
“And I was worried that you were going to spray that thing while the window was still up.”
With a derisive laugh, she mumbled, “So much for the big city girl who can take care of herself.”
Under his gaze, she shifted a little in the seat. Though she certainly looked like a big city girl, with her designer silk pantsuit and heels, she seemed more like a frightened little girl stepping out of the nursery for the first time. Her mahogany hair fell in soft curls around her face and down her back. She was tiny and petite, and with perfect features and huge hazel eyes framed by long sooty lashes. She reminded him of the porcelain doll his sister had when they were little. He turned his attention back to the road and thought, she looks just as fragile, too.
“So where are you from?” He asked, shattering the silence.
“New York.”
Nathan raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.
“Near Albany.”
Nathan shook his head at her cryptic answers. “What made you decide to move here?”
“I was informed your school had an opening in your English department,” she said with tight lips, “and here I am.”
Thinking she was being glib, he continued, “I heard you taught at some elite private school, so what made you decide to come teach at a public school?” At her non-committal shrug, he added, "You said you don’t know anyone here, so why travel... ”
“I know Mr. Shirley’s niece,” she interrupted. Before he could fire off another question, she asked, “How did you know where I used to work?”
“Most of the town knows everything there is to know about you. You are an answer to our prayers. Like I said, to some, you're a miracle.”
“I’m no miracle.”
Nathan heard the derision in her tone, and he wondered what caused it.
“What’s the high school like?” She turned her head to look out the window.
As they drove into town, he told her of the school, and about some of her students. Nathan could feel her begin to relax beside him as she listened, all the while taking in her first sights of her new home.
He watched her smile as they rolled through the main street in town. The sun was just beginning to set, casting an amber glow on the town and the small shops that lined the street. A national discount store dominated over the local stores and restaurants, struggling to give the town a big city appearance. But nothing could erase Hamilton’s hometown feel, and he wondered if, with time, she would regret moving here.
The immaculate silk pantsuit and designer heels she wore couldn’t be found in any of the local stores. With her skittish and nervous attitude, she definitely didn’t fit into the relaxed and carefree life of Hamilton. Maybe that is why she moved here…and it really isn’t any of your business.
He finally stopped in front of a small stucco house, landscaped with mauve colored rocks. In the center of the front yard was a variety of cacti marooned on an eggplant-shaped island of dark red rocks. Large wooden beams made up the roof of front porch, and a heavy wooden swing hung in the corner.
“Here we are, your new home.” He smiled down into her hazel eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
Hopping out of the truck, he came around to her side and opened her door. He led her up the stone path as a petite woman, not much taller than Kristina, came through the door and wrapped her in a firm hug. “I’m May Williams, the Mayor's wife and leader of the ladies’group. On behalf of the entire town, we are just tickled to have you here, Ms. Talbot.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Williams. Mr. McKinley told me you and the other ladies prepared this home for me. I cannot thank you enough”
“No need to thank us,” May ushered her toward the door. “As soon as I got the call that you were heading into town, I called the other ladies, and we rounded up some food for you. It’s in the fridge, and I’m sure Nate will be a gentleman and help you get your things in.” Her gaze flicked to Nathan, silently dispatching him to his duties.
Nathan gave a short salute and began pulling the luggage out of the truck, wondering about the town’s new Engli
sh teacher. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of her. She wore a silk pantsuit and heels to take a road trip across the country, but was pleased with the simple house. She was uneasy around him, unable to look at him for long, and always jumping at the sound of his voice. She was like a tightly wound spring, ready to dash at the first movement he made.
David barked, pulling his thoughts from the woman. “None of your business.” Nathan mumbled a reminder to himself.
When Nathan entered the home with the first batch of luggage, May was explaining to her, “Now, you have this place for a month before you need to make a decision. Don’t feel obliged to take it, just because we did this. Keep it, or find a new place; no one will be hurt if you do.” May added in a conciliatory whisper, “And if they are, they will have to take it up with me.”
“I . . . Mrs. Williams, I don’t know what to say, I . . .”
“It’s May, and you don’t have to say anything. The expression on your face shows how much you appreciate it.” May turned to Nathan, “Now don’t just plop them right there, take them to the master bedroom, down the hall, on your left.”
Nate chuckled, “Yes Ma’am.”
“Upstart.”
He winked at Kristina as he carried her suitcases off to the room.
As he placed her suitcases on the floor, he heard May say, “I better get home now. You go take a bath and relax; tomorrow will be a busy day for you. When word gets out that you’ve arrived, every busybody in this town will be clamoring to meet you,”
Nathan emerged from the bedroom as Kristina and May headed for the door. “Thank you again for all you and the ladies did for me.”
“Think nothing of it, honey.” May pulled the keys out of her pocket. “Besides, it gave those women in the ladies’ group something to do besides flap their jaws all day." She turned to Nathan, “Make sure you don’t go slacking after I leave, you hear me?”
“She’s already threatened me with pepper spray once tonight; trust me, I will be on my best behavior.”
Kristina’s face suffused with color at his comment.
“No doubt you deserved it.” May hooked her arm through Kristina's. “If you need anything, just give me a call. I left my number on the fridge.
Nathan followed them out the door. After May left, Kristina turned to get some of her bags from his truck.
“Whoa, there! I’ll get that.”
“It’s no big deal,” she began to grab for the bags again, but he interrupted her again.
“If word were to get around that I let you carry your own bags into the house, Mrs. Williams would have my hide. And I like my hide just the way it is.”
His comment earned him a small smile, and he watched as she went back in the house. After unloading the rest of her things, he found her standing in the kitchen, leaning against one of the counters. “Well, that’s about it, if you...” His voice trailed off as he saw the tears in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
The sound of his voice caused her to jump. “Hey, are you okay?” He placed his hand on her shoulder, but she immediately turned away.
“Yes, I’m just overwhelmed,” she added with a laugh, “and really tired.”
Nathan reached around her and grabbed his car keys from the counter. When his arm brushed hers, he felt her stiffen again.
“Well, then I’ll let you get some rest. If you need anything, just give May or me a call.” He jotted his number beneath May's, and then turned to leave.
He jogged to his truck and opened the door so David could jump in the seat. When he paused before cranking up the truck, the dog let out a low whimper. Nathan turned to his dog, and rubbed his head affectionately. “I know you have a thing for the ladies, but don’t get any ideas with this one. She might be as pretty as a porcelain doll, but she’s about as skittish as you were when we first got you.” Popping the truck into reverse, he headed for his home. As they left the driveway, David hung his head out of the open window and let out a low moan.
Chapter Three
After Nathan left, she stood in the kitchen, dwelling on the impression she had made so far. Get it together Kristina, she thought to herself. She headed for the back rooms and checked out the second bedroom first, and smiled as she saw that it not only contained a full-sized bed for guests, but a small desk, perfect for her work.
The master bedroom was off to the left, separated by a small bathroom. She sighed at the inviting sight of the four-poster bed, and her body reminded her that the bed is where it wanted to be. Locating her toiletries in her overnight bag, she showered. Moments later, she was snuggled deep under the homemade quilt that smelled faintly of roses.
Closing her eyes, she welcomed sleep, but the sight of Nathan, and the perpetual half-smile that always seemed to be playing on his handsome lips, flashed before her eyes. Kristina buried her face in the pillow with a groan of mortification. She thought of how foolishly she acted tonight. With a moan she remembered that May also knew about the pepper spray. What was everyone going to think of her? Her last conscious thought was that, with all hope, he might not tell anyone else about her actions.
*****
The warm fingers of sunlight, filtering through the slats in the blinds, brushed over Kristina’s skin, dragging her reluctant body to consciousness. She smiled again at the welcoming sight of the room, but the insistent growl of her stomach wouldn’t allow her to remain in bed.
After a quick shower, Kristina stood before the open refrigerator. When May told her the women rounded up some food for her, she assumed a leftover or two. Instead, Kristina found Tupperware containers stacked in the refrigerator, filled with casseroles, lasagna, deserts, pasta salads, and vegetables. It was apparent that when the women of Hamilton set out to do something, they didn’t just go halfway. The pantry attested to this fact…cereal, rice, canned goods and a loaf of bread graced the shelves.
Deciding that a bowl of cereal wasn’t going to be enough to appease her voracious appetite, she settled on a delicious-looking casserole with chicken, rice and vegetables, all covered with cheese. As her meal heated, she thumbed through the phone book, jotting down addresses of where she needed to go today. She would start with Mike's Garage.
She had just finished her prayers and was about to sink her teeth into the food, when a knock sounded at the door. Much to her chagrin, she found Nathan on her doorstep.
“Good morning,” he said, doffing his baseball cap and running a hand through his sandy brown hair. Her eyes were drawn to the way his hair seemed to curl around his fingers as they moved through his thick hair. “I was afraid you might still be asleep,”
Then why did you come over? But she smiled and allowed him to enter. “I was just eating breakfast.”
“Please, continue.”
Kristina wanted to growl in frustration as he smiled down at her with that unnerving smile, his hat folded between his hands. Though Kristina desired nothing more than to usher him out the front door, she offered him a seat, hoping he would decline, say what he had to say, and then leave.
“I came by to let you know that Mike looked at your car last night," Nathan began, sitting down at the table across from her plate, leaving her no choice but to finish eating in front of him. She felt his dissecting eyes on her as she sat across from him and delicately placed the napkin back on her lap. She began to lift the fork to her mouth, but paused when he just continued to stare. "And what did he find out?”
“Well, the good thing is, there’s nothing major wrong with your car.” She was about to take another bite when he added, "You know you could have called me when you saw there was nothing to eat for breakfast. I would have taken you out to eat.”
“There is plenty to eat.” A pretty blush stained her cheeks, “I didn’t eat last night, and I didn’t feel like breakfast food this morning.” What does he care what I eat for breakfast?
Attempting to move the visit along, she asked, “So what is wrong?” Besides you being here. You make me so nervous, watching everything I do
with such a critical eye. David had watched her every move for five years... Trying to put her fears aside, she took a bite of the chicken casserole, and devoured it as quickly as she wished she could swallow her fear.
She vaguely heard him say, “Mike said you are lucky, he thought it might be…”
Fire scorched her throat, and her fork clattered on her plate
Jumping to his feet, he came behind her just as she grabbed for her milk. He yanked her out of the chair and wrapped his arms around her middle, bringing her back up against his body. Fear coursed through her veins, “Get your hands off me!” she choked out, clawing at his hands around her middle.
As soon as he released her, she grabbed her fork and whirled around, glaring up at him. Never again!
They faced each other for a moment, and she jumped when he reached for her plate. He smelled the contents and started to laugh. Yanking the fork from her hand, he took a bite of her food.
“Sophia’s chicken casserole, guaranteed to singe at least a few of your taste buds,” he laughed again. “I thought you were choking!”
The reality of the situation crept into gradual focus, until color suffused her cheeks. Her chest was still heaving as she struggled to breathe over the fear strangling her. To mask it, she joked, “I always seem to be threatening you with something."
“To tell you the truth, I’m relieved you weren’t choking. I’m not too sure I really knew what I was doing.”
She jumped when he lifted his hand to her face, but he merely brushed a tear trailing down her cheek. She saw the question and concern in his eyes. Get it together, Kristina. “Wow, I guess it was really spicy,” he said.
Hopping onto his excuse, she agreed, “I felt like my capacity to breath was severely encumbered.” She turned from him, and dried her tears.
Miracles in Disguise (The Trampled Rose Series) Page 2
