by Gayle Kaye
Hallie smiled. “If she knew I was absconding to your place with them, she might have.”
The woman would not be pleased to know Hallie was spending the evening with Cam, she knew. But then, Hallie was an adult—and she didn’t need permission to go where she wanted.
Besides, Granny was taking this feud with Cam a little too far. Cam liked the old gal, despite his teasing to the contrary. He wasn’t Granny’s enemy.
He wasn’t Hallie’s enemy, either.
“I guess I’m still not her favorite person, huh?”
Hallie grinned. “Don’t take it personally.”
He placed the biscuits and jam on a round patio table, picked up a pair of silver tongs and set to work turning the fish on the grill.
“That woman holds a grudge worse than anyone I’ve ever arrested,” he said. “Did you get her to agree to see one of those lawyers?”
“Not...yet”
He glanced up. “Do I hear a bit of desperation in your voice?”
Hallie sighed. “Let’s just say holding a grudge isn’t Granny’s only personality Haw.”
“You came up against a brick wall, huh?”
“A brick wall of stubbornness. She didn’t use to be this...this...cantankerous. It must go with age.”
He gave her a sympathetic smile. “Older people see it as fear of losing some of their precious independence, their own right of decision making. They sometimes don’t take kindly to the younger generation making suggestions about how they live their life.”
Hallie sighed. “I guess I did come on a little too forceful, giving her an ultimatum.” She paused. “Not only about seeing an attorney, but...”
“But...?”
The temperature had dropped a few degrees with evening, and the air was pleasant, a soft breeze blowing. She sauntered over to stand beside Cam, absently watching the fish turn to a golden brown under his expert barbecuing skills.
“I insisted once this legal mess was settled that she move back to Fort Worth to live with me. I got a real earful. I can tell you.”
Cam glanced away at her comment. He didn’t want Hallie to read what was in his eyes. He’d known she’d go back home, and all too soon. He just didn’t like hearing her say so.
At least not yet.
What was happening to him here? This was the first time he’d invited a woman to his house. It was his retreat—his place to heal from his wounds, his scars.
But if he allowed himself to feel what he was beginning to feel for Hallie, he’d soon have new wounds to deal with.
And he hoped he was smarter than that.
“Would you mind grabbing the pepper grinder for me? These fillets should have a touch more.” he said, needing to root himself to the reality of grilling fish, and off the thought of Hallie leaving. “It’s just inside. In the kitchen. Counter to your left,” he added.
“I’ll find it,” she said.
Hallie was glad to be of use. She gave Cam a smile and headed for the back door of the small splitlog house he lived in. It was the perfect size for a bachelor, and well built. Less rustic than Granny Pearl’s old place.
And a whole lot more modern, she decided, when she stepped into the big kitchen. Oak cabinets lined the walls, and tall bar stools sat before a long eating counter that divided the kitchen from a large living room.
She glimpsed a fireplace, a big comfy-looking sofa in front of it—and wondered what it would be like to curl up there with Cam on a cold winter evening.
Unable to stop herself she wandered into the living area, touching this chair and that, a lamp with a deep green shade, a book Cam had been reading—a crime novel, which didn’t bring about any surprise—a well-worn toss pillow, a small tin of Brazil nuts he probably enjoyed munching on, several well-read sporting magazines.
There were no old family photographs on the mantel or anywhere else in the room, not even one of a friendly, favorite old dog. Perhaps he had a few pictures sitting around in the bedroom—but she had no intentions of straying in there.
All the same she wondered about family, Cam’s. Did he have brothers, sisters? He’d mentioned he’d been married once, but from the chilly tone she remembered in his voice, she didn’t expect to see some special old photo of any former wife sitting around.
She was snooping—there was no other word for it.
And she should get herself back to the kitchen and find that pepper grinder he’d asked for. Cam’s personal life was no concern of hers.
Still, she wished she knew more about the man.
Because she was beginning to care about him?
That sent a tingle through her, a swift reminder that she needed to be on guard against her own feelings.
She found the grinder right where Cam had said it would be, and started for the back door, then noticed the plates and silverware stacked beside it. She picked them up, too, and carried them out.
She would set the small patio table for dinner—it would give her something to do while Cam was busy grilling.
Cam glanced up to see Hallie coming out the back door.
Lord, but the woman could look enticing. Her hair was particularly curly tonight, as if she’d used a curling iron on it for just that special...feminine look. If that was her intent, it had worked. Hallie was nothing if not feminine.
She had on a touch of makeup, not that she needed any, but it gave her a slightly sultry allure Cam decided he liked. Slim white jeans sheathed her legs, and a pale yellow sweater accentuated her small breasts.
“I brought the plates,” she said softly. “I’ll do the table.”
“Thanks.” The single word came out slightly strangled.
Hallie affected him.
“Here’s the pepper,” she said, handing him the small wooden grinder.
Her scent was something sweet—and too close for comfort Their hands brushed briefly as he took the pepper from her, and she blushed.
He affected her, too.
He drew in a breath and sprinkled the fillets generously.
“Tell me about the school closing,” she said as she set the plates around, anchoring the napkins down with the silverware. “Was it a financial decision, a lack of money...?”
“No, not entirely financial,” he said, “though there’s certainly a huge expense in keeping a small school like that open.” He loaded the grilled fish onto a plate, then dug in the coals for the foil potatoes he had baking.
He was glad to focus on conversation, rather than on Hallie, and how tempting she looked.
“There was also the problem of no teacher.”
“No teacher?”
A lightning bug danced around her in the twilight that was fast descending. No doubt the creature found her as tempting as he did. “It’s not an easy task teaching grades one through eight. That, plus the fact that nobody wanted to stick around this small burg.”
Cam brought the fish and the potatoes to the table Hallie had finished setting, then disappeared inside for the coleslaw and the promised beer. While he was gone Hallie thought about what he had said.
She recognized how difficult it would be to find a teacher willing to teach all eight grades—but even more difficult, finding one who’d agree to the primitive school conditions of Greens Hollow—no matter how much the town needed a school.
There were so many advantages available in a metropolitan area, that simply couldn’t be found in an out-of-the-way, rural setting—computer labs, language classes, special school plays, creative classes, field trips to the science museums, planetariums.
The learning possibilities were endless.
It was just the advantages she wanted for her own children—when she had them. What parent wouldn’t?
And what excitement would there be for a single young teacher around the area—if one agreed to stay. Beyond the...hunky sheriff the town could boast of, she amended.
That gave Hallie pause. Yes, some young teacher would definitely find the man enticing.
Enough to consider
hanging around?
It would be the only job perk the position might offer.
Hallie didn’t want to think about some pretty slip of a girl snatching up Cam Osborne. But it wouldn’t happen, anyway—the school was closed, and no doubt would remain so permanently.
Just then Cam came out of the house, salad in one hand, two bottles of beer in the other, and Hallie had no time to think about it further.
“Ready to eat?” he asked.
Hallie nodded, having to admit to herself that she was famished, and that Cam’s cooking endeavors smelled wonderful.
He lit a candle on the patio table, then doused the porch light.
“To hold the bugs at bay,” he explained, apparently wanting to assure her the move wasn’t for romantic purposes.
Which was fine with Hallie.
It wouldn’t do to go getting any romantic notions about this man—not when she didn’t intend to hang around long.
And not when Cam wasn’t in the market for a wife or children of his own.
It was better to keep him off-limits and confine any husband-seeking ideas she had to Fort Worth, or maybe Dallas. She’d been burned by this town once before—and she wasn’t about to let it happen again.
“Another beer?” Cam asked when dinner was finished and the dishes washed up and put away.
He reached for the refrigerator handle, but Hallie shook her head. “None for me, thanks.”
What she’d had already had gone to her head.
Cam had turned on the stereo earlier and it played softly in the living room, something slow and romantic. A candle burned there, too, and Hallie didn’t think it was for bug control.
Instead it lent an ambience to the room, a softening of the masculine in Cam’s furnishings.
“I like your place,” she said. “It suits you.”
He glanced around as if to see it through Hallie’s eyes.
“Think so? I seem to spend a lot more time in the office than I do around here—but I suppose it’s home.”
Another slow song began to play in the distance.
“Do you miss Chicago—I mean the excitement of a bigger place?”
She wasn’t sure what she was asking—or why—it was just that she was trying to reconcile the man from the city coming to a town like this.
“I meant it about this being home, Hallie. I’m happy here—if that’s what you’re asking. This place has a certain...peace to it. It’s why I don’t think you’ll have any luck getting Pearl to leave here. I’m sorry to tell you that—I know it’s not what you want to hear.”
“It’s not, Cam.”
Not at all. How could she keep an eye on Granny from such a distance away?
And Granny had no one else to look after her.
But Cam didn’t know Hallie’s determination when she wanted something. Granny would adjust—in time. And Hallie would bring her back for visits now and again. Maybe for the jamboree each July. She’d bring her husband, her children.
But somehow that scenario didn’t play right in her head, and Hallie wasn’t exactly sure why.
“Cam, I—I should go.”
He reached for her hand that had gone for her purse, stilling it, then laced his fingers through hers. “One dance first,” he said.
Her hesitation cost her. He pulled her against him and tugged her arms up around his neck, then drew her to the center of the room.
Hallie was sure she’d never danced with a man in a kitchen before and dancing with Cam—any-where—was sensual. The music was soft, coming from the living room, and distant enough to sound ethereal to her ears.
There was no angry Granny to rescue her this time, no crowds milling about to keep things chaste between them. It was just the two of them, frighteningly alone.
Fort Worth seemed a million miles away at the moment, her resolve to return there even farther. Cam was the most exciting man she’d ever danced with, she was certain, the most exciting man she’d ever kissed.
And she’d be a little fool to succumb to him, she reminded herself sharply. Cam didn’t want the same things she did—home, hearth, advantages only a metropolitan area could offer.
And children.
Hallie wanted babies. Lots of them. She wanted to teach them everything, show them the world, give them all the love she had in her to give.
Cam was content with Greens Hollow and the little it had in the way of opportunities. He wanted to run the town in his own by-the-book way, drowse beside a creek bank for relaxation—and dance with a woman in his kitchen.
Though she had no complaints about the latter at the moment. She had to admit, it was nice. More than nice—it was...wonderful.
He tipped his head dangerous inches lower and brushed a kiss across her ready mouth. Heat flamed to life within her. Her blood raced. And her heart thudded so loudly she was certain he could hear it.
“You’re beautiful, Hallie,” he whispered against her lips, apparently unaware of her wildly beating heart, but knowing only too well how to bring out every crazy sensation her body was capable of—and bring it to raw awareness.
He was hard with desire as he drew her closer, cupping her buttocks with his big hands. Her breath caught and her senses fled. The music faded to a distant throb—or was that her own need, her awareness of nothing but Cam?
Finally he released her and the room spun back into some kind of off-kilter focus. The music had ended, the song over. Before a new one started she drew in a steadying breath. It was shaky.
Cam smiled. “Yeah, me too,” he said. “I’m not sure what you do to me, Hallie, but I think I had better walk you to your ear—or I’ll end up taking you to bed and keeping you there until sometime next week.”
She smiled, secretly liking the thought, despite realizing just how dangerous that was. “Granny would have the militia out after us,” she said.
He brushed the flat of his thumb across her cheek, releasing a slow, wistful sigh. Granny wouldn’t stop him, she knew—not if making love to her was strong enough on his mind. He was giving Hallie an out—and she knew she’d better take it.
She reached for her purse and slipped the strap over her shoulder. “I—I had a lovely time tonight, Cam,” she said softly.
“Me. too.”
He drew her toward the door. “Now, you get your little fanny on down that road or I’ll rescind my chivalry.”
Cam watched the little Subaru speed off down the drive and tried to focus on the Texas plates adorning the back end. They should be one damned good reminder that Hallie would be leaving here—and soon—but he wasn’t sure he could remember that for long. Certainly not when he tried to fall asleep tonight and ended up staring at the ceiling and thumping his pillow until the wee small hours of the morning.
He let out an oath and started for the back door. Maybe he’d go in to work—get his mind off the woman who was capable of setting him on fire.
Chapter Eight
Over the next few weeks Granny stayed busy with her quilting ladies. Hallie was a little curious about the woman’s keen interest in the pastime—and the group, in general. Maybe even a little hurt that Granny seemed more intent on the activity than she did in spending time with Hallie.
It occured to her that her grandmother might be up to some sort of mischief, but she quickly decided her suspicions were unfounded.
What possible trouble could six little old ladies get themselves into?
There was safety in numbers. And Hallie should feel relieved that Granny had something...circumspect to fill her time.
With Granny thus occupied, Hallie was at loose ends and ended up seeing more of Cam Osborne than was probably wise—definitely more than Granny would have approved of.
She made several trips into town to run errands—errands that her grandmother had been neglecting of late—and stopped in Cam’s office to chat. Sometimes they had lunch together at the small deli next to the post office—though Hallie worried that these casual “dates” might get back to Granny.
Tonight Cam was taking her to dinner at a new restaurant over in Eureka Springs—a special night out. Though, with Cam, any night seemed special.
She hurried to dress, knowing he’d be arriving at any moment—and she wanted to look her best. Granny had already left for the evening—her quilting group again.
Again Hallie had a few doubts about what her grandmother might be up to—but quickly quelled them.
Granny had promised her no more mischief—and Hallie had to believe her.
Cam hadn’t questioned her about Granny lately. He seemed to accept that she knew nothing about her grandmother’s alleged activities—or the still that, according to him, had conveniently disappeared.
Hallie had even let it slip her mind that she hadn’t totally come clean with the man, that she hadn’t “’fessed up” to finding Granny’s old moonshine recipe in the flour.
Cam was beginning to trust her—and she didn’t want to stir up trouble when it wasn’t necessary. Besides, the recipe was probably of no consequence.
Later. Later if it became important she would tell him.
She slipped into a white sundress with a smocked bodice and billowy skirt. She twisted her hair up off her neck and secured it with a clip. Showing off the nape of her neck looked... sexy, she decided.
She liked the effect, perfect for a romantic evening in Eureka Springs.
Romantic? Hallie sighed. It wouldn’t be a good idea to get romantic notions about a man she’d soon be saying goodbye to. She took the clip out of her hair and let the curls fall to her shoulders.
Cam had strived to keep their time together light, carefree, almost—but not quite—hands-off. So had Hallie. And tonight would not be a good time to change the status quo.
It would be hard to think about leaving here, of never seeing Cam again, but that thought Hallie shoved to the back of her mind. She liked her life back in Fort Worth—me school where she taught, the children, especially the children, her comfortable little apartment, her friends, the many things there were to do there.