by Kathy Ivan
Finally, with a shaky smile, she dug in her purse and pulled out her keys, handing them over along with the rental paperwork.
“I’ll be back as fast as I can. If you think of anything else you need, have Dad or one of my brothers call me.” With a wink, he strode out of the kitchen, tossing the keys into the air.
It was going to be a good day.
CHAPTER SIX
Tessa straightened to her full height and stretched, her hands on the small of her back. She kicked aside the empty box she just unpacked. The Boudreaus had worked right up to sunset before heading home. The outside appearance of her new rental definitely showed improvement from the previous night.
The freshly mowed grass now spread across the front like a velvety blanket of green, and the overgrown and straggly bushes had been clipped and pruned until they looked lush and full, and exactly the right height to highlight the porch. The porch railing and steps were repaired too. The men had worked hard, only stopping for a quick lunch break before they went right back to it, accomplishing more than she’d imagined possible. All the chipped paint had been sanded smooth, though they hadn’t gotten to actually paint anything. Douglas promised they’d be back the next day, after church, to finish the job.
Rafe returned her car, minus the trailer, about an hour after he’d left, but he’d been called in to the sheriff’s office shortly thereafter, so she hadn’t had a chance to thank him properly.
Picking up the empty box, she carried it to the back porch, where the other empty boxes were stacked. She needed to check with Ms. Patti in the morning, and find out about the city’s recycling policy. She heard the slamming of a car door. A few seconds later, there was a knock on the front door.
Rafe stood on the other side. With a grin, he lifted up a picnic basket covered with a bright red cloth.
“I figured you’d probably be tired after all the hard work, so I brought dinner.”
“Dinner? Honestly, I hadn’t even thought about food.”
“I’m not surprised. You’ve had a long day. It looks like the guys got a lot of stuff done after I left.”
“I still can’t believe everyone showed up and got through so much.”
Rafe tilted back his cowboy hat and gave her a slow grin. “It’s how we do things around here. You’re in Texas now. We treat everybody like family.”
Taking the basket from him, she led the way into the kitchen. Since the house didn’t have a formal dining room, she’d been using the kitchen table for everything. Plus the space was cozy and warm, since she’d had the windows open most of the day. Warm? Who was she kidding? Texas in summer was downright stifling hot. Another point in the men’s favor: they’d worked in the hottest part of the day without a single complaint.
Lifting the cloth off the top of the basket, her stomach growled, and she realized it had been hours since she’d eaten.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I grabbed some fried chicken and biscuits.”
“Sounds great. Let me grab some plates. You are staying, right? I can’t possibly eat all this by myself.”
Rafe grinned, and she couldn’t help noticing the twinkle in those deep chocolate-colored eyes. Again, there was a fluttering in the pit of her stomach, an awareness of how close he stood, and how much she liked looking at him. “I was hoping you’d share.”
Taking a deep breath, she took a deliberate step away, and reached into the cupboards, and lifted out plates and a couple of glasses. Fortunately, she’d made a fresh pitcher of tea earlier, and poured two glasses, filling them with ice. Rafe unloaded the basket’s contents. He’d brought more than chicken and biscuits, she noted. Mashed potatoes and gravy and sweet corn filled plastic containers, and if she wasn’t mistaken, there was an apple pie he’d snuck onto the countertop. It was her favorite, and she was sorely tempted to skip straight to dessert.
At the first bite, Tessa felt like she’d died and gone to heaven. Her feelings must have shown on her face, because Rafe chuckled.
“Everything’s from Daisy’s Diner on Main Street. Can’t miss it. Just follow your nose, or the line of people. Best place to eat in Shiloh Springs.”
“It’s amazing.” She took another bite, which was as delicious as the first, and glanced at Rafe, wondering why he’d come back. Was it really a friendly gesture, sharing dinner with a new neighbor, or was there something else behind his kindness?
“You’ve got a deer-caught-in-the-headlights look, Red. Afraid I’m going to break out the rubber hoses, maybe take you down to the station and interrogate you?”
“Am I that obvious?”
At his nod, she buried her face in her hands, and felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Darn it, she wished she didn’t blush so easily, but being a redhead, it was a curse she’d borne since childhood. Still, she’d already made a memorial impression on him, and apparently things were headed from bad to worse.
“What do you want to know, Sheriff?”
“I’m off duty. Make it Rafe.” There was that twinkle in his eyes again, a look of amusement on his face. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, darlin’. But I’d like to get to know you better.”
Drawing in a deep breath, she picked up her glass of tea and took a big drink. Her throat was suddenly as parched as the Sahara.
“I’m not used to being the new kid on the block. It almost feels like the first day of high school, where everybody knows everybody else, and you’re standing at the front of the class trying to talk and nothing’s coming out.”
“Better than having the dream about showing up in school naked.”
“Not by much,” she murmured, knowing her face was still red. “Okay, I’m twenty-eight. Born in a little town outside Charlotte, North Carolina. So small, you’ve probably never have heard of it. Went to college, got my teaching degree. That’s about it.”
His gaze was steady, and he studied her the whole time she spoke. She felt the intensity of his stare clear to her toes. It was like every ounce of his focus and concentration was centered on her, but not in a bad way. Like he really wanted to know about her. She definitely wasn’t used to being the object of attention, even in a room with only the two of them.
“I’m sure there’s a whole lot more to you, Red, but it’ll do for now.”
A tingle raced across her skin at his last words. Did that mean he planned to spend more time with her? “I’ve really led a very boring life, Sheriff. Nothing notable or remarkable about me.”
“I have to respectfully disagree, Red. From what I’ve seen, you are exceptionally remarkable—and memorable.”
Okay, then. It was hard, but she resisted the urge to fan her face. She couldn’t help wondering if he felt the same pull, the instant connection, she’d felt from the moment she’d met him. Unsure, she decided a change of subject was in order.
“Tell me about your family. Serena said there are a lot of Boudreaus around?”
At her question, Rafe tilted his head back and laughed, and she watched the muscles in his throat move. He wiped at his eyes, as the last peals of laughter subsided. “Truer words have never been spoken. There are most definitely a lot of Boudreaus in Shiloh Springs.” He lifted his tea and took a long swallow. “You’ve met Douglas and Patricia, my parents. Plus Brody, Lucas, and Liam. Then there’s Antonio, Heath, Shiloh, Ridge, Chance, Joshua and Dane. And we can’t forget Veronica, Nica to her friends. She’s pretty much the pampered princess of the family.”
“That’s…a lot of Boudreaus.”
“Which comes with some very interesting history. Stick around long enough, and maybe I’ll share all the details with you.”
She knew she was gawking, but she couldn’t help it. Though he’d spoken with affection about his siblings, there was also something else underlying his words, a fierce wealth of emotion with each name spoken. There wasn’t any doubt he loved his family.
Standing, she picked up his plate and hers, and headed toward the sink. “You brought dinner, I’ll take care
of the dishes. Did I say thank you for the food? And the company?”
He leaned his hip against the counter. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I should probably head out, let you get some rest. See you tomorrow at church. Afterwards, we’ll get the painting done.” Taking a step forward, his hand cupped her cheek and her breath caught. Without thought, she found herself leaning into his touch. His thumb slid across her lips in the softest, gentlest caress, before he slowly lowered his hand and stepped back, his expression guarded.
“Goodnight, Red.”
“’Night, Sheriff.”
Without a backward glance, he walked out and she heard his engine start. Seconds later, he was gone, leaving her enveloped in silence. Leaning against the kitchen wall, her fingertips pressed against her lips, and she could still feel the warmth of his touch.
Don’t be an idiot, Tessa. He’s being a good neighbor. Don’t read more into his actions than he meant.
With a shake of her head, she pulled out storage bowls and put away the remaining food, turned off the light, and headed for bed. She had the feeling her dreams would be filled with a tall, dark, and definitely sexy sheriff.
CHAPTER SEVEN
A few days later, Rafe pulled his car into the elementary school parking lot. He didn’t have any official business here. Heck, he should be heading down to the McAllister place to ask Joel McAllister a few questions about his whereabouts the night before. Instead, he turned his car into the faculty lot and parked alongside Tessa’s.
He hadn’t seen here since Saturday night, when he’d brought dinner by her place. The office had been short-staffed with the summer cold everybody seemed to be passing back and forth, and he’d worked double shifts the last few days. Staying away from Tessa had been harder than he’d anticipated, but fortunately the job kept him busy, and kept his mind off the pretty redhead, at least while he was awake. His dreams, on the other hand…
I won’t stay long. This is strictly a follow-up, to make sure she’s settling in without problems.
Funny how he didn’t believe his own thoughts.
He knew precisely where he’d find her. Mrs. Edwards’ classroom was halfway down the central corridor, on the right. The same classroom where she’d taught when he’d been in this very same school, though he hadn’t been in her class.
The first thing he spotted through the open doorway was Tessa, bent over a cardboard box. He bit his cheek to hide the grin threatening to spread across his face. Seemed like every time he saw her, she had her outstanding backside on display. Realizing he was staring, he cleared his throat, drawing her attention.
“Rafe! I didn’t see you there.”
“I wanted to stop by and make sure you’re settling in with no problems.” He glanced around the classroom, noting the changes. The blackboard and desk still sat regally at the front of the classroom, one side of the blackboard lined with permanent lines for teaching the little ones to write their letters and numbers. The other half was enticingly blank. Three windows ran along the right side, providing a perfect view of the outdoors, with swings and monkey bars and lots of green grass. In a few weeks, the sound of children’s laughter and squeals of delight would fill the air, because recess was usually a big part of the day—at least that’s how he remembered second grade. Some things never change.
“Things have been great. The principal got me up-to-date on Mrs. Edwards’ incoming students, the curriculum, and has made me feel welcome.” The tiny smile accompanying her words evoked a deep warmth inside him. An unfamiliar sensation, but not an unwelcome one.
“Good. Any problems settling in otherwise?”
Sheesh, Boudreau, you’re really killing it with the small talk. Get a grip, man.
“The house is great. I’m pretty much unpacked and got everything put away. Please thank you family again for all their help. And thank you too. The outside of the place looks amazing. Quite the transformation.”
His hand rubbed the back of his neck at her praise. “I’ll tell them.”
There was a moment of silence, before Tessa turned back toward her unpacking. “I know there’s a few weeks before school starts, but I’m really excited. Interacting with the kids will make things seem…I don’t know…more real.” She chuckled. “I still have trouble believing I packed up my stuff and moved halfway across the country for a job.”
“I’m glad you did.”
He really should get going before Joel McAllister hightailed it to the creek, where the teenagers congregated during the hotter days of summer. With school out, most of them spent these lazy sunny afternoons swimming or fishing, and sometimes doing other things teenagers do, which was one of the reasons he needed to speak with the young man. Apparently, Joel had been canoodling with one of the young ladies, and her parents were unhappy and threatening to press charges.
Yet, he was oddly reluctant to leave Tessa’s side.
“How’d you hear about the job here—in Shiloh Springs, I mean? We’re not exactly at the top of most people’s top ten places to relocate.”
She lowered the handful of books she’d taken from the box, setting them onto the corner of the desk. “Jill Monroe mentioned the position.” His surprise at the mention of Jill’s name must have shown, because she quickly continued. “Jill and I went to school together, shared a few classes. We’ve kept in touch on and off since then. When it was determined Mrs. Edwards would be laid up for several months with her broken hip, she thought about me. I know she discussed it with the principal before calling and asking if I’d be interested.”
“Obviously you were, or you wouldn’t be here.”
She gave a sharp nod. “Honestly, I’ve been at loose ends for a while. My parents passed away a couple of months ago. It was unexpected, and hit me hard. Other than my sister, Beth, and her daughter, they were all the family I had.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, Red.” Placing a hand on her shoulder, he squeezed gently, and felt her sigh.
“Thank you. Beth has her husband and her daughter to lean on, which makes it easier for her. At least I hope so. I feel like I’ve been floundering, without an anchor to hold me in place. When Jill called, and then Mr. Sanchez, with the job offer, it seemed like an omen. A year away from North Carolina, away from every sight and sound that evoked their memories and the loss, seemed like an excellent idea.”
Her grief was like a palpable blow, and he hated imaging her dealing with the loss of not one, but both parents. A feeling he was all too familiar with. His natural curiosity made him wonder how they’d died, but even he wasn’t insensitive enough to ask.
“Well, I’m sure the parents of Shiloh Springs’ students are grateful you’ve stepped in. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” Picking up the hat he’d tossed on the desktop earlier, he started for the doorway, but pulled up short, remembering why he’d dropped by.
“We’re having a barbecue at the Big House on Saturday, and Momma wants you there.”
“The Big House, that’s your family’s home, right?”
“The Boudreau family homestead. The place has been in the family for generations. Used to be a much larger working ranch, but we’ve cut back on the number of head we’re running now. Dane always wanted to carry on the family’s cattle ranching tradition, but the rest of my brothers all went into different jobs. Everybody lends a hand when they can, though.”
While he’d been talking, Tessa stood beside the desk, and a shaft of sunlight through the window played across her skin, making her appear to glow. The deeper red highlights in her hair shown like fire bursts, little flames flickering to expose the hidden embers. There was no denying her appeal, and the pull he felt toward her was unlike anything he’d felt before. The thought of pursuing this elusive feeling both intrigued and terrified him.
Turning toward him, she smiled. “Can I ask a nosy question?”
“Sure.”
“Your brothers, the ones who came to my house? You all look so different.” He watched a wash of pink flood her
cheeks. “I mean different hair color, different eye color. And none of you look like your mother or father.”
He chuckled at her perplexed expression. She wasn’t the first person who’d been confused about his family. “Tell you what, Red. You agree to come to the barbecue with me on Saturday, and I’ll tell you the whole story. Deal?”
“How can I refuse an offer like that, Sheriff?”
His lips twitched into a smile. “I’m hoping you can’t. Don’t forget, give me a call if you need anything—anything at all. And I’ll pick you up at eleven Saturday morning.”
“I can—”
“See ya, Red.”
Without another word, he turned and walked toward his car, already looking forward to Saturday. Until then, though, he needed to talk to Joel McAllister and put the fear of jail into him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Pouring a glass of iced tea, Tessa walked into the second bedroom, the one she’d converted into an office. The space wasn’t huge, probably ten by twelve, but it was more than enough to house a desk, printer stand, file cabinet and bookcase. Plopping down onto the floor by the last boxes waiting to be unpacked, she ripped the tape free, and flipped open the lid.
Notebooks filled with teaching materials she’d collected over the past few years, both from classes she’d taught, as well as from other teachers, lined the inside. Things she used as inspirations for lesson plans, and things to pique the children’s interest, lay beneath. Pulling them out, she stacked them on the bottom shelf of the bookcase, before reaching inside the box for more.
When her hand wrapped around a leather-bound book, she paused as memories spilled through her. How did it get in there? Her forehead crinkled as she wracked her brain, trying to remember, because she could’ve sworn she’d packed it in one of the boxes Beth was holding for her back home.