In His Eyes

by Barbara Lohr

  “I’m an only child.” The air from the fan felt glorious, and Diana shook back her damp hair.

  “Too bad.” Will cupped her right hand on his chest, as if for comfort. They swayed in place. She felt the steady thud of his heart under his damp shirt.

  But just when her resolve was weakening, he spun her out and whipped her back again. Breathless, she landed against his firm, muscled chest. “What was that?”

  “I like to surprise people.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” She laughed at his pleased smile. This guy could be a lot of fun. But she couldn’t let her guard down. Not after what had happened last time. “Back to the interrogation. Any brothers or sisters?”

  His full lips flattened the smile. Maybe she’d hit a nerve. “An older sister. Just the four of us, well, and my grandmother but she’s gone now.”

  “I’m sorry. At least you have four in your family.” This was becoming uncomfortable. Over Will’s shoulder, Diana caught a glimpse of Kate and Cole. “Our dates are finally talking.”

  Smiling, he spun her around for a better view. “Good. Kate’s not much of a dancer. “You...” He glanced down at her silver sandals. “You’re really light on your feet, and you can follow me.”

  “Glad I’m getting points. This hasn’t been easy tonight.”

  The blue eyes warmed. “Doesn’t sound like you’ve been having enjoying yourself.”

  “I am now. Life can’t always be fun. Hey, why are you staring at me?”

  “It’s just that... Well, you’re so beautiful.”

  Disappointment pushed the breath from her body. She used to enjoy lines like that.

  He stopped dancing. “Was I wrong to say that?”

  “Nope, absolutely not.” She gave him a nudge, and they slipped into a slower rhythm. “It’s just that I've heard a lot of lines. That sounded like you meant it.”

  He jerked back. “Of course I meant it. You’re gorgeous.”

  “And you’re handsome. So what?” Cripes, they were practically shouting at each other. She glanced around at a few staring faces and then buried her face in his shoulder. “Are we causing a scene?”

  A chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Do we care? We just established that we are two fine-looking people.”

  Really, he was a trip. She drew herself up. “I don’t usually act like this. Don’t take me seriously.”

  “What if I want to take you seriously?” Will pulled her closer. Tighter.

  “Guess we’ll just have to see about that.”

  She couldn’t. She wouldn’t. But maybe.

  When had this evening gotten out of control? Will rested his cheek against Diana’s forehead. “I feel like I’ve seen you before,” he murmured. “Know you somehow.”

  She tipped her head back. “Me too. Clancy’s maybe? What day do you shop for groceries?”

  The chuckle returned. “My groceries consist of coffee and peanut butter. I eat most of my meals at the facility. My work is pretty time consuming, so I didn’t see you while you were squeezing the tomatoes.”

  “I wouldn’t do that.” She feigned horror.

  “Good to know.”

  His eyes were lapping at her like July waves along the shore. “Know what?” Where were they?

  “That you don’t squeeze tomatoes. Smell the melons or...”

  “Oh, now that. Yes, yes, I do smell melons.” What was she saying?

  The chortle became a belly laugh. “You are so much fun, Diana.”

  He sounded wistful, like this was rare. “What, you usually don’t have fun?”

  Will’s wry smile was growing on her. “Maybe I never make time for it.” He raised his brows.

  Was that an invitation? After all, she’d asked him to dance. Was he asking her for more? Was she ready for more?

  She sighed.

  He jerked. “Ouch! You just stepped on my foot.”

  “Sorry, sorry. It’s just that, well. Forget it.”

  “Not a problem. Didn’t hurt. Much.” She could feel his grin on her forehead.

  What a bizarre night this was turning out to be. Gull Harbor didn't offer a lot of dating material. That had been just fine for Diana. Tonight? Dancing with Will had given her body a wake-up call. Sleep wouldn’t come easy tonight. They danced past an open door, and a gust of warm night air blew over her just as the air conditioning shot on overhead. Her body and her mind blew hot and cold.

  “You always tell the truth, right?”

  “Scouts honor.” He held up a hand. They both looked at it and burst out laughing.

  The resigned shake of his head made Will look adorable. “Sorry. Sometimes I can be a real dork.”

  “Not a bad quality. Can a man ever be too good?”

  The smile faded. “So...you're dating Cole?”

  “Come on. Does it look like it?”

  She could see the wheels turning in Will’s mind. He glanced over at Cole and Kate in front of the french doors. They should get a room. “Point taken. So, tell me about the book group.”

  “I kind of fell into it. About a year and a half ago, I opened a shop in Gull Harbor. Carolyn Knight, a book group member, stopped in one day. We got to talking and she invited me to join.” Sure, the other women had welcomed her, but they didn’t really know her yet. No one did and she liked it that way. “I'm still getting to know the group. I don’t have many...”

  “What?” He bent closer.

  “Nothing.” She’d almost admitted she didn’t have many friends. How pathetic was that?

  His head tipped to one side. “You’re so mysterious, Diana.”

  “The pot calling the kettle black.” The song had ended. They were still dancing.

  Will looked around. Only a few couples remained on the dance floor. “Kind of conspicuous, right?”

  “Right.” She snatched her arms from around his neck.

  “Thanks for the dance, Diana,” Will said softly. “Glad I was your lady’s choice.” When he stepped back, cool air swooshed between them.

  “You’re welcome.” Somehow, her life had shifted in the past five minutes. Could she trust that feeling?

  “Guess we should get back to–” Will nodded to his table where Cole was pulling out Kate’s chair.

  “Sure. Right. Thanks for the dance.” She brushed her dress, discreetly shaking out any shameless wrinkles.

  “I’m glad you asked me.”

  Gazes tangling, they stood there.

  “Maybe we’ll see each other around.”

  “Right. Maybe.” Diana sure hoped so. She’d opened up her treasure trove of memories for him. Well, some of them anyway. She followed Will back to her table.

  “Bye, Will,” Diana whispered before he walked away.

  “See you.”

  “Uh huh.” Her heart raced while her head told her to slow down.

  Hands in his pockets, Will ambled away. Then he turned back to smile, nearly stumbling over his own feet. They both laughed. She gave a little wave.

  “Will seems like a nice guy,” Cole said, sliding into the seat next to her.

  “Yeah, he is.” Sitting back, Diana pressed a hand against her fluttering stomach.

  Will wasn’t the type of man who’d ever interested her. Kind of homespun, squeaky clean, and funny. Cheeks burning, she chugged the rest of her drink. “Ready to leave?”

  Cole leapt up with a surprised smile. “Guess so.”

  ~.~

  Taking Kate home, Will kept his eyes on the road but his mind was back at the Firemen’s Ball, with a beautiful woman who knew how to dance. Diana’s sense of humor wasn’t bad either. At first, he’d dismissed Diana Prescott as one those gorgeous blondes that spent a lot of time in front of the mirror. But her sassy humor shook him up and so did that glimpse of vulnerability. She was complicated, sexy, and fun.

  Kate stared out the window with a tiny smile on her lips. If not for Diana tonight, he’d be pissed. “So, Diana's a friend of yours?”

  “We’re in the same book grou
p, but I can’t say I know her. She’s not from Gull Harbor. We didn’t go to high school together.”

  “Got it.” So, Diana was an outsider too. He couldn’t help feeling a stronger connection with the woman whose hair felt so soft against his cheek. But he was getting way ahead of himself. One dance did not make a relationship. Her spontaneity was eroding his usual caution.

  Not much traffic on Red Arrow Highway tonight. The drive would be short, and he had to make use of every minute. Why hadn’t he just asked Diana for her number? But they had both come with other people. Exchanging contact information on the edge of the dance floor would not be cool. Damn, he was no good at this. He could ask a sick resident where she felt pain and in five seconds have it located for the doctor's visit. But with women under sixty? Totally different story.

  “She has a shop, Will.” Kate broke into his thoughts. “It's called Hippy Chick. She might carry some gifts for a mother or sister?”

  “Sure. Right. If I ever need one.” Opening his window, he let the cool air stream over him. “Beautiful night, isn’t it?”

  Kate’s laughter pealed like St. Mary's church bells. “If you say so.”

  When they turned down the Kennedy driveway, he took it easy. The graveled road needed work, just like the house. Sitting under huge pine and birch trees, the cottage could use a fresh coat of paint and some new window boxes. But Cole was a contractor. He could handle it. Will pulled up in the back parking lot. Kate nearly tripped getting out. She didn’t strike him as a big drinker, so that had nothing to do with her loopy gait. They walked to the back door. A night wind whistled through the trees and waves lapped the shore somewhere below. He breathed in the night air. Hippy Chick, was it? The path seemed clear.

  At the door, she turned. “Thanks for inviting me, Will.” Obviously, she was preoccupied and at this point, he didn’t care. The evening had turned out well for both of them.

  “You're welcome.” Backing away, he jiggled the car keys in his hand. “Give my best to your mother.”

  “I will.” She worked the key, stepped inside and then turned. “See ya...and good luck.”

  “Right. Thanks.”

  An owl hooted deep in the woods, low and mysterious as he walked to his car. All the way back to his condo, he hummed “I Only Have Eyes for You.” And Kate was not the woman on his mind.

  Chapter 2

  Not a man who rushed into things, Will waited until mid-week to make his move. Diana exuded sophistication that made him painfully aware he came from Beanblossom, Indiana. Still, he hadn’t imagined the interest in her eyes, the soft pressure of her body while they danced. Or had he? He’d find out soon enough. When he pulled up to the store called Hippy Chick, he sat in the car and let the air run.

  August pressed down with a heated hand. Despite the air vents blowing full blast, Will started to sweat. The windows of the tidy, freestanding shop shouted Sale in big red letters. Suddenly the door opened and Diana stepped outside. Will checked his watch. Eleven o'clock. He valued punctuality. Then she turned back and tried to wrestle a display rack through the front door. The clunky metal looked heavy. Turning off the car, he jumped out. “Need some help?”

  She glanced up in surprise, her long, beaded earrings swinging. “Always glad for a hand.” Pushing a wisp of blonde hair from her eyes, she gave him a shy smile. The heat kicked up a notch.

  The clothing on the rack looked like stuff Diana would wear. The colorful, fluttery, and soft fabric swayed as he moved the rack around. “This where you want it?”

  “Perfect.” Shading her eyes with one hand, she smiled up at him. “Thanks, Will. What brings you here?”

  “I'm looking for someone, er, thing.” He hoped to hell she didn’t ask what.

  “Good enough. Glad you thought of my shop. Come on in.”

  She glided toward the glass door, and he rushed to open it. Perfume that smelled like his mother’s peonies enticed him when she swept past. Inside, the shop was dim and cool. He drew a deep breath and looked around. Yep, he was clearly out of his league.

  “You're looking for women's clothing?”

  “Right. A gift.” His new loafers squeaked when he shifted.

  “Okay. Give me just a minute.” She hurried toward the back and lights flipped on.

  Glancing at the stuff hanging here, he tried to pull together a game plan. In the back was a glass counter with sparkly jewelry. Off to the side, shoeboxes were stacked under a rack of dresses. The entire place was crammed with clothes that might not be right for his mother. That left Delinda. His sister might dress like this. He doubted it but he hadn’t seen her in years.

  “Well?” Diana blinked up at him. With a rush, he remembered her soft cheek on his chin. His mouth felt dry and sandy. Words wouldn’t come, and he casually reached for a rack. Bad move. With a clatter, a box of pins went flying like a disturbed porcupine. “Good God.”

  “Oh, Will! Let me see.” Diana reached for his hand.

  Feeling like a total fool, he opened his palm. Her cool fingers sent heat coursing through him. The accident was almost worth it. When she plucked a pin from his palm, a bubble of blood rose. “I’ll get a tissue. Stay right there.”

  Yep, totally worth it. Diana in motion was a sight to treasure. But his hand wasn’t. As he pulled out pins, drops of blood rose. He might bleed all over her merchandise.

  Muttering to herself, she came back with a box of tissues and began blotting. Her hair swept over his hand and he pulled in a deep breath, almost disappointed when the bleeding stopped. Diana gathered the tissues and tossed them in the trash. Coming back, she ran her hands over those slim hips. “I can take care of these pins later. Now what was it you wanted?”

  Right now? He couldn’t be honest, or he’d get kicked out.

  “You came in looking for a gift, right?” Her delicious chuckle rippled like a bubbling fountain. “What did you have in mind?”

  Will slid his eyes to the nearest rack. “A shirt would be good.”

  “You mean a blouse? Now we’. Okay, what size?”

  He had no idea. “What size are you? I mean, if I could ask.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “Me? Oh, a small.”

  “Well, then larger. Yes, I think large.”

  “Okay. How fancy? Are you thinking glittery or embroidered? Maybe a print?”

  The questions spun in his head. “Anything.”

  Her lips twitched.

  “Anything casual, I meant. Casual would probably be nice.”

  Turning to the circular metal rack, she began pushing hangers around. “Any particular color? Solid or pattern?”

  “This looks pretty.” He fingered something blue draped from a display.

  “That’s a scarf, Will. Does your sister wear them?”

  His mouth opened and closed. He had no idea. Delinda and her little girl had been MIA for years. She’d caused a lot of hurt for their parents. Made him furious. “Maybe something else.”

  Thank God, Diana was on a roll. What followed was a dizzying array of clothing, colorfully described. He enjoyed her sweet, uncertain smile and delicate hands. Her pale pink fingernails were edged with white tips. While she ran through a list of possibilities, his head felt like a sieve being filled with her words.

  “Will, Will. Are you paying attention?”

  “Sorry.” He ran a hand over his brow, and it came away damp.

  Diana was waving a white blouse in front of him. Flowers decorated the neckline and sleeves in pink and green. “Do you think she’d like this?”

  “It’s pretty, right? Women would like this?” Why had he worn his khaki jacket in the store? He felt like he’d stepped into the sauna at the racquet club. This stuff was way over his head. His mother had worn a lot of jeans for tending cows and chickens. When Grandma Trudie was alive, she stirred his oatmeal wearing a tidy housedress every morning. He couldn’t recall any patterns or designs, none of the stuff Diana was running through like chords on a piano.

  Turning to another rack, sh
e pulled out a black number with sleeves. “Maybe your sister’s more sophisticated?”

  “Not at all.” The words came so fast that Diana smiled and put the dress aside.

  “Probably something flowered.” Where had he pulled that from?

  “Follow me.” Leading him to a corner, she pulled out a top with yellow and brown flowers.

  “Do you think the brown is perky enough?” Clothes were closing in on him. He pretended to consider the shirt as if he cared. His sister could be a walking rainbow for all he knew and so could her daughter. Maybe he should just buy the pink and green one. But then he’d have to leave.

  “Tie dyes are back,” she said with excitement, as if announcing the president was coming to visit. “They come in a rainbow of colors.” Diana loved her work, and he loved watching her. When her long blue skirt swished around her feet, hot pink nails peaked out. His stomach felt squishy, and he wondered if he’d eaten anything for breakfast. He also wondered where those pretty feet could lead.

  “Isn’t this fabulous? Just came in.” With her bewitching long fingers, Diana held up a top that started as pale pink and ended up dark blue at the bottom. It looked pretty. She stroked one hand over the front. “And it’s so soft.”

  With a jolt, he imagined his own hand caressing the material over her soft curves. “I'll take it,” he gasped.

  Will was dripping wet and breathing hard. Somehow, this shopping trip felt like great sex. Not that he’d had any in a long time.

  “You really like this tie-dye thing, huh? Maybe you’re wilder than I thought.” She wiggled her brows.

  Perspiration trailed down his backbone. He’d have to stop at his condo for a shower before going into work.

  “Well, what do you think?”

  “Yes, yes to all of it.” Looking down into Diana’s eyes felt like skydiving. “Your eyes are so, so...b-blue.” He was stuttering like an idiot.

  Nudging him with an elbow, she laughed. “So are yours, goofus.”

  “Goofus? Is that what you think?”

  Her eyes darkened to velvet. “No. No, Will. I sure don’t.” Her tongue darted out to lick her lips, and she dropped her gaze.

  His insides imploded. He wanted her arms around his neck, the way they’d been at the dance.