by Lynn LaFleur
He looked her way. Surprise flitted across his face before he smiled and stood. “Hello.”
Dolly straightened from peering into the refrigerator. “Oh, good, you’re awake. How did you sleep?”
“Great,” she answered her hostess while still looking at the man she never expected to see in Dolly’s kitchen.
“Are you hungry? I promised Stephen an apple crêpe to go with his coffee.”
Julia’s stomach gurgled loudly. Warmth crept into her face and she covered her tummy with her hands. Dolly laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes. Why don’t you get your coffee and sit down?” She motioned to the hunk. “This is Stephen McGettis. He and his cousin are going to repair my roof. I had quite a bit of hail damage last week when a bad thunderstorm blew through Lanville. Stephen, this is Julia Woods. She just moved here from California.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Julia.”
“Nice to meet you, Stephen.”
He remained standing while she got her coffee, not sitting again until she sat in the chair across from him. His politeness impressed her. After working mainly with men who treated her like a kid sister, she enjoyed the bit of chivalry.
Julia watched Dolly place the crêpe ingredients on the counter. “Can I help?” she asked.
“No, I’m fine. I already have the apple mixture and it won’t take me a couple of minutes to whip up the batter. I’ve made these so many times, I can almost do them with my eyes closed.” She glanced at Stephen over her shoulder. “Stephen, you and Julia have something in common.”
He turned those amazing cognac-colored eyes on Julia. “Oh?”
Her breath hitched and she had to tighten her grip on the coffee mug before her lax fingers dropped it. The sun shone through the window and touched his long, dark hair, giving it reddish highlights. She doubted if this man spent very many Saturday nights alone. Or any other night of the week.
“She was a firefighter in California for the U.S. Forest Service.”
A crooked smile turned up one corner of his lips. “No shit?” His smile quickly disappeared. “Uh, I mean, really?”
Julia hid a smile behind her mug as she sipped her coffee. She thought it cute that he didn’t want to curse in front of her and Dolly. “My main job was in research, but I fought fires when the call went out for extra help.”
“Stephen is a firefighter on our volunteer fire department.”
Another point for Stephen. Julia had always admired the men and women who worked on volunteer fire departments. They put their lives on the line without any pay or compensation other than the desire to help others. “How many volunteers on your fire department?”
“Twenty-four men and three women. Are you interested in joining? We can always use another pair of hands.”
Part of her wanted to say yes, that she would love to help. Another part of her didn’t think her knee could handle fighting fires yet. “I’ll think about it.”
The skin at the outer corners of his eyes tightened a bit, as if he could read her thoughts and knew she had personal reasons for not jumping in to immediately volunteer. “If you change your mind, Dolly knows how to get in touch with me.”
Dolly set a small plate holding a large crêpe in front of each of them. The scent of apples and cinnamon drifted from the pastry, making Julia’s stomach gurgle again.
“There are two more crêpes on the stove,” Dolly said. “I have a couple of things to do, then I have to head to the bar in time for my delivery.” She touched Julia’s shoulder. “Come by later. I’ll fix you one of my famous cheeseburgers.”
“Apple crêpes now and cheeseburgers later? I don’t need to gain any weight, Dolly.”
“Pffft. You’re perfect. A man doesn’t want to hold a pile of bones. Isn’t that right, Stephen?”
A look of apprehension flashed through his eyes. He obviously didn’t want to comment on what Dolly said. “I, uh, think I’ll refill my mug. You want more coffee, Julia?”
She struggled not to laugh at how quickly he changed the subject. “Please.”
Julia and Dolly exchanged grins while Stephen carried the two mugs to the coffeemaker. Then Dolly pushed Julia’s hair behind her ear, the way Julia’s mother did so often. “I meant what I said. This is your home for as long as you need to stay here.”
Hugs last night and touches this morning meant Dolly had to be a physical person. Julia didn’t mind that at all. The affection made her miss her mother a bit less. Smiling, she squeezed Dolly’s hand. “Thank you.”
Dolly left the room as Stephen returned with the full coffee mugs. Not sure what to say to him since she’d only met him twenty minutes ago, she dug into her crêpe instead. One bite and she couldn’t stop the moan deep in her throat. Realizing it seemed similar to a sound made while making love, she lifted her gaze to Stephen. She caught him staring at her, his eyes narrowed, his nostrils flared. He quickly looked down at his plate, cut into his crêpe.
She took advantage of his lowered head to study him. He had gorgeous hair. She’d dated guys with short hair, long hair, and various lengths in-between. It had never mattered to her as long as the guy kept it clean and neat. Stephen’s hair fell to his shoulders in gentle waves. She remembered noticing it when she first saw him in Burger King yesterday and thinking how the waves would wrap around a woman’s fingers.
Her gaze continued over his face. Oval in shape. A straight nose. Mouth a little wide, with full, well-shaped lips that made her think of kissing for hours.
She could see his mouth better if not for the stubble. He obviously hadn’t shaved in at least three days, perhaps longer. Julia had never been a fan of stubble, but she had to admit it gave him a dangerous, bad-boy appearance.
Cole had been a bad boy. Julia never wanted to get involved with one of them again.
Stephen scooped up the last bite of his crêpe. “I’m ready for seconds. How about you?”
Julia looked down at the remaining piece on her plate. “I don’t think I can eat a whole one.”
Rising from his chair, Stephen walked over to the stove and returned with the plate holding two crêpes. He set it on the table between them. “Take what you want and I’ll eat the rest.”
She divided a crêpe into halves and placed one on her plate. Stephen pulled the plate in front of him. She watched his hand as he cut into the half she’d left. Long, thick fingers, bare of any hair. Short, clean fingernails surrounded by cuticles a little ragged … probably from the physical work he did as a roofer. She couldn’t see his palm, but she wouldn’t be surprised if callouses existed there.
She wondered how those callouses would feel scraping over her nipples.
Warmth swept through her body at the forbidden thought. Just because Stephen looked hot didn’t mean she would get involved with him. Her messed-up life had to be straightened out before she could have any kind of physical relationship with a man again. Besides, just because she found Stephen attractive didn’t mean he felt the same way about her.
“Why Lanville?” he asked.
The image of Stephen’s calloused fingers touching her vanished at his question. “What?”
“Why did you move to Lanville? Do you have relatives here?”
“No, I only know Dolly. Well, actually, I didn’t know Dolly until I met her yesterday, but I’ve talked to her many times on the phone. She and my mom went to college together and have been friends for years.”
“Dolly’s the best. There isn’t a woman more caring in this whole town.” He laid his fork on his empty plate. “Where did you live in California?”
“East of Sacramento, in the Sierra Nevadas.”
“No mountains around here, just hills. Lanville is probably a lot different than what you’re used to.”
Julia shrugged one shoulder. “I needed a change. Dolly offered me a place to stay and a job.”
“You’ll be working at Boot Scootin’?”
“No, I turned down her job offer. I’m starting work as a housekeeper at The Inn on Cry
stal Creek Monday.”
His eyebrows shot up, as if what she said surprised him. “You’d rather clean rooms than make great tips?”
“I like to clean.”
Pushing his plate aside, he leaned forward and rested his folded arms on the table. “Are you looking for outside work? I lost my cleaning lady a month ago when she cut back her hours. I’d rather eat raw frog’s liver than clean a bathtub or oven.”
Julia wrinkled her nose at the mental picture his statement created. “Eww.”
“Exactly.”
She laughed when he grinned. The charm oozed off this man. “I don’t know what my hours will be yet. I wouldn’t feel right taking other jobs if they’ll interfere with my main job.”
“Well, if you decide you want to pick up some extra money …” He reached into the breast pocket of his T-shirt and withdrew a white card. After flipping it over, he took the pen from on top of his clipboard that lay on the table and wrote something on the back. “Here’s my cell number. That’s the best way to reach me.”
He held out the business card to her. Their fingers brushed when she took it, sending a pleasant tingle up her arm and straight to her nipples. They tightened inside her bra.
Ignoring her body’s response, she looked at the front of the card. A cute cartoon man hammering a shingle onto a roof drew her attention before she read McGettis Roofing, Dusty and Stephen McGettis, Owners.
“Is Dusty your brother?”
“My cousin, but we’re as close as brothers. He’s three years older and we grew up together.”
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“Two brothers, both older. One is a lawyer, one is a college professor.” He shrugged and flashed her a grin. “They got the brains, I got the brawn.”
A single glance at Stephen’s broad shoulders, muscular arms, and wide chest proved he definitely got the brawn. However, she had no doubt he had as much intelligence as his brothers. She could tell that from the way he spoke and carried himself.
“How about you?” Stephen asked.
Julia shook her head. “Only child. That was cool while I was growing up since I had all my mom’s attention. Now, I wish I had a brother or sister. That’s a bond that can never be broken.”
“No father?”
She’d known Stephen for less than an hour. Personal stuff shouldn’t even enter into their conversation, yet for a reason she didn’t understand, she wanted to be honest with him. “I’m the result of my mother’s one-night stand with—according to her—the most handsome man she’d ever seen. He didn’t bother to give her anything but his first name. He snuck out of her apartment before she woke up the next morning.”
A little uncomfortable at what she’d revealed to Stephen, she decided to change the subject the way he had earlier. “Would you like more coffee?”
“No, thanks. I need to go. I have another appointment in …” He checked the thick watch on his wrist. “Fifteen minutes.”
Julia rose as he did. He headed toward the back door, so she assumed that’s the way he had come into the house. She followed him, holding the door open after he crossed the threshold. Two steps onto the porch, he stopped and faced her.
“Dolly is right.”
Confused, she tilted her head and asked, “About what?”
“Your body is perfect.”
His gaze dipped to her breasts for a second before he turned and walked down the porch steps, leaving her a little breathless and a lot scared of such a strong reaction to Stephen McGettis.
3
Julia Woods stayed on Stephen’s mind all day. Due to the hail damage a week ago, he and his cousin had been busy giving estimates on roof repairs. Stephen focused on work while with a potential customer, but Julia popped back into his mind as soon as he finished.
She fascinated him … and he didn’t know why.
Sure, she had a gorgeous body with full breasts, wide hips, and a well-shaped ass. He’d always preferred long hair on women, but her short, blond curls looked perfect on her. She had huge blue eyes the color of cornflowers. He could make that comparison only because his mother had planted all kinds of flowers and shrubs around his parents’ home and made sure her sons knew the name of every one. Not sure how that would help him in his life, he and his brothers still obeyed her and learned the species, colors, when each one bloomed, how long it bloomed, and if it was an annual or perennial. He’d be set if he ever decided to go into the florist or nursery business.
His current business kept him plenty busy. In fact, he should’ve left to meet Dusty at Boot Scootin’ fifteen minutes ago.
A quick text to let his cousin know he’d be late and Stephen took off. His heart beat a little faster the closer he got to the country bar. If Julia had decided to accept Dolly’s offer for a cheeseburger, he’d get to see her again. He’d kicked himself more than once ever since he left Dolly’s house for not asking Julia out when he had the chance.
Stephen pulled into the parking lot of the bar. Few vehicles filled the spaces at five-thirty on a Thursday evening. He knew that would change, as soon as more people got off work and hit the bar for a cold beer and some of Dolly’s amazing cooking. She featured chicken enchiladas on Thursday nights. Stephen’s mouth watered just thinking about them.
Pulling open the heavy wooden door, he stepped into a large room filled with tables, chairs, and booths. The Texas Rangers played on the big-screen TVs, the clack of pool balls sounded from the back room. Dolly stood behind the bar, along with her weeknight bartender, Mel. Keely wove her way through the tables, her round tray loaded with bottles of Bud and Coors. He nodded to the people he knew, which included almost everyone. Living in a small town and being on the volunteer fire department meant he knew most of the residents.
A quick glance around the main room produced no Dusty, so Stephen headed for the pool room. He heard his cousin’s laugh as he stepped through the archway. Dusty stood next to one of the pool tables, holding a cue stick with its butt resting on the floor, talking to Julia.
The sight of her had his balls tightening with lust.
As if she sensed his presence, she turned her head and looked at him over her shoulder. Stephen definitely felt something pass between them. Impossible to ignore that “something’s” lure, he walked toward Julia and his cousin. She stared into his eyes as he approached her, keeping that tether between them.
He wondered if his fingers would get singed when he touched her.
“Hi,” he said once he stood before her.
“Hi,” she said with a hint of a smile.
“Hey, y’all already know each other?” Dusty asked.
“I met Julia when I did Dolly’s estimate this morning.”
“How’d that go?”
“Dolly gave us the thumbs-up for the job.”
Dusty smiled. “Great.” His smile quickly faded as he met Julia’s gaze. “Uh, not great that she had hail damage, but great that she gave us the job to fix her roof.”
Julia smiled. “I knew what you meant.”
Stephen let his gaze wander over Julia while she had her attention focused on Dusty. She wore a blouse the color of ripe raspberries, faded jeans, and running shoes so white, it had to be the first time she’d worn them. Silver studs adorned her earlobes. A single strand of silver hung down the front of her blouse to below her breasts. She wore little makeup, but whatever she used on her eyes made them look huge.
My God, you’re stunning.
Two sizzling plates of chicken enchiladas passed by Stephen on the waitress’s tray. The enticing aroma made his stomach growl. “Man, those smell good. Have y’all eaten yet?”
“I was waiting for you,” Dusty said.
Stephen looked directly at Julia. “How do you feel about chicken enchiladas?”
“Love them.”
The waitress, Monica, stopped by them and smiled at him. “Hey, Stephen, ready for a beer?”
“Yeah. And how about three plates of those enchiladas?”
/> “One, two, or three per plate?”
“How many can you eat, Julia?” Stephen asked.
“I’m really hungry. Probably two.”
“Two for the lady, three for Dusty and me,” Stephen told Monica.
The waitress smiled. “You got it.” She looked at Julia. “Ready for another glass of wine?”
“Please.”
Once the waitress left them, Stephen motioned toward a table for four in the corner that he knew had to be Dusty’s from all the paperwork spread over it. “How about if we sit down?”
“Hey, Dusty,” Quade Easton called out from one of the pool tables, “you’re up.”
“Y’all go ahead,” Dusty said. “It’s my turn to beat Quade.”
Stephen snorted with laughter. “In your dreams.”
Dusty frowned. “It could happen.”
“Maybe when the sun rises in the north.”
“I won’t tell you what you can do with that comment with a lady present.”
Stephen motioned for Julia to precede him to the table. The mess his cousin always left made Stephen glad that Dusty’s wife, Hannah, took care of the office and billing. As organized as Dusty was messy, she kept their business running smoothly.
Julia slipped into the chair next to the wall and he took the one opposite her, facing the room. They’d barely taken their seats when Monica arrived with their drinks, along with a basket of tortilla chips and three small bowls of salsa. “Food up in five.”
“Thanks, Monica,” Stephen said.
Picking up all the paperwork on the table, he stacked it into a pile for Dusty to figure out later. He waited for Julia to take a sip of her blush wine before he drank from his beer bottle. Although he couldn’t call this an official date, he planned to take the opportunity to get to know Julia better. “Are you getting settled in at Dolly’s?”
She nodded. “Dolly’s been great. I understand why my mom loves her so much.”
