by Annie Rains
Confidence. You’ve got this.
Grabbing her umbrella and the file folder, she stepped out just as a truck came splashing into the spot next to hers. She shrieked as muddy water rode up her pants leg. Then she dropped her unopened umbrella on the ground, and—Oh, crap!—her proposal fell into the shallow puddle at her feet.
“Noooo!” she cried, bending down to pick it up. The golden folder was a shade darker on one corner, evidence that the water had soaked through. She yanked it up and held it against her body, no doubt muddying her crisp white shirt now, too. Then she hurried to the sheltered awning, shaking her head like a wet dog, which was exactly how she felt, thanks to the idiot in the truck.
“Are you all right?” a deep voice drawled behind her.
She ignored it because she knew that if she didn’t, her cool demeanor might unravel. She was low on sleep and high on caffeine—never a good combination. Instead, she continued toward the Veterans’ Center’s entrance. The director had told her that she only had fifteen minutes to spare for the meeting, and Julie didn’t want to waste any time. She hurried down the hall, turned right, and hesitated outside Allison Carmichael’s office door. Maybe she could use one of those minutes to take a quick trip to the bathroom to freshen up and settle her nerves.
Too late.
The door opened and Allison stood before her, dry as a martini. Her red-toned hair was perfectly straight and cascading over her shoulders instead of hanging in rain-soaked chunks. “Julie!” Concern distorted her beautiful features. “What happened to you?”
Julie shook her head. Allison had been one grade ahead of her in high school. Their paths had often crossed, but never converged. And perhaps that would have been best today, also. “I, uh…I…” She held up the damp folder. “It’s raining outside.”
Allison nodded. “I can see that.” She laughed a little. “So, what did you want to see me about?”
Julie swallowed. “I know your website says you aren’t hiring, but I have a proposal.”
Allison’s gaze dropped to the golden folder in Julie’s hand. “Okay. Well, I was just going to make myself a cup of hot tea in the community kitchen. Looks like you could use one, too. We’ll talk there.”
“Sounds perfect,” Julie said, following her. As she did, she focused on her breathing. Yes, she needed a job, but she also really believed that Seaside’s active and retired military members needed the service she hoped to offer them. While growing up in a military family, she’d seen how her father had seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. She wanted to ease that burden for the military if she could—at least a little.
“Go ahead and sit down. I’ll just get the kettle going,” Allison said, pointing to a small wooden table off to the side in the kitchen.
Julie sat and took several deep breaths, praying that her nerves would settle.
A few minutes later, Allison set two steaming mugs in front of them. “I don’t want to rush you, but I only have a few minutes before my next meeting.” She pointed at the folder now in front of Julie. “What do you have here?”
“It’s a proposal. I’m sorry, but it got wet as I was coming in,” Julie explained. “I can bring you a fresh copy later.”
“That’d be great. Looks like you dropped this one in a puddle.”
“Just for a few seconds. Five-second rule.” Julie laughed nervously. Wow. Interviews really did trip her up.
“It’s okay. Why don’t you just tell me what you’re proposing?” Allison smiled warmly at her and pushed the folder to the side. She reached for her cup, leaned back in her seat, and crossed her long, perfect legs.
“Sure.” Julie wrapped her hands around her mug, soaking in the warmth and praying she’d come up with something smart to say—or at least something halfway intelligible. “I want to do yoga with the Marines.”
Allison’s smile dropped a polite notch.
Julie sucked in a breath and continued. “Yoga is being used for stress-reduction programs all over the country. There have even been programs for Marines with post-traumatic stress disorder. Lots of programs, actually.” Excitement surged inside her as she explained what she’d come up with last night. “It’s amazing what this exercise is capable of doing. It lowers the heart rate, focuses your mind, and strengthens the core muscles.”
Allison nodded, appearing to listen as Julie rambled on about the benefits of yoga and how the exercise had been a lifesaver for her during college, when her testing anxiety had gotten out of control.
“So you went to school for yoga?” Allison asked.
“No. I majored in business with a minor in exercise science. But I’m a certified yoga instructor. I think offering a program like this here at the Veterans’ Center would be a wonderful way to support our military men and women returning home from deployment. I’ve heard that mental health is an underserved need here.” Julie scooted back in her chair and stood. “A few basic poses are all you really need to get started.”
She was talking quickly now, brimming with a mixture of excitement and nerves. She’d always been horrible at interviews, but this one wasn’t going so badly. Allison appeared to be listening, even interested. “I’ll show you.” Folding her body forward, Julie placed her hands against the white tile floor at her feet. “This is Downward Dog,” she said, looking at the room from upside down. “It’s one of the most basic positions. You’d be surprised how much focus it takes to stay inverted like this.” The blood was rushing to her head as she spoke.
Then two combat boots came into view between her legs. Her eyes widened, her focus shattered. It felt like all her blood drained from her body.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty focused,” a man said in a smooth southern drawl. As he stood behind her, she knew he had a perfect view of her…
“Oh!” Julie’s balance shifted. She wobbled as one foot started to slide out from under her. Trying to gracefully stand was useless at this point. It was either go to her knees or fall on her butt—neither of which spoke to her skill as a yoga instructor.
As she started to fall, the man’s hands on her waist steadied her, fraying her composure completely. Then he gently pulled her upright, holding her tightly against his body for a solid moment that felt like forever before he let go.
“Sorry ’bout that. I guess I startled you,” he said as she turned to face him, only to find herself a little too close to him for comfort.
She swiped at the blond hair in her face and blinked through the burning that was firing her cheeks. There was also an unwelcome buzz humming in her belly—the kind that came with a man’s touch. Her lips parted as she took in his cowboy hat and pale-as-water eyes. “I know you,” she said. “You’re Lawson Phillips.” She’d met him the year before, when her sister had started dating his best friend.
Lawson smiled, slow and easy. “Nice to see you again, Julie. You dropped your umbrella outside.” He held it out to her.
She looked at it, then back up at him. “You’re the driver of that truck.”
Lawson tried to contain his grin as he shook Julie’s hand—and to keep himself from looking down again at her very nice curves. When he’d arrived at the Veterans’ Center to fix a few squeaky cabinets for the director, he’d expected to see a bunch of retired Marines. He hadn’t expected to run into Julie Chandler.
“Do you two know each other?” Allison Carmichael asked from her seat at the table in front of him.
“You could say that. Her sister married my best friend last year. Which kind of makes us friends-in-law, or something like that.” Smooth, Lawson.
Julie didn’t smile. He remembered that about her—before his last deployment, he’d tried like hell to flirt with her, but she’d been untouchable. She’d barely given him the time of day, or even looked him in the eye. Similarly, she tore her gaze from his now and returned her focus to the center’s director. “Um. Well…” She hurried back to the table and collected a folder. “I know you said you were in a hurry. I can get
you a dry copy and let you review it in your free time, if you’re interested.”
Allison nodded. “That would be great, Julie. We won’t be offering new programs until after the New Year. You never know when things will change, though. Military life is synonymous with change, right?”
“Indeed,” Julie said.
“And I’m always interested in new ways to meet our service members’ needs.”
Julie smiled, but Lawson could see it was forced. The truth shone in her green eyes: defeat. “Thanks for your time, Allison.” She shook Allison’s hand, threw him a sideward glare, and headed out of the kitchen.
“The cabinets are fixed,” he told Allison.
“You’re the best.” The slender redhead pointed her index finger at him. They’d had drinks a time or two before, but both had realized early on that their easy banter warranted friendship only. And considering Lawson’s state of mind since returning home from the desert, friends were all he needed these days.
“Well, if that’s all, I have somewhere I need to be.” Like work. But that wasn’t where he would be running to right now. Despite the little voice inside his head telling him to leave it alone—leave her alone—he was going to check on Julie.
“Sure. Thanks again, Lawson. Volunteers make this place possible.”
Nodding, he waved and hurried down the hall toward the front entrance. With any luck she’d still be there and he could apologize.
As he stepped out into the rain, which had fizzled to a light sprinkle, it looked like luck was on his side today.
But it was definitely not on Julie’s.
Her engine whinnied like a sick mare, then fell flat. He watched her from the covered walkway in front of the building for a few minutes as she attempted to start her car again, and again. After several tries, she slammed a hand against her steering wheel. Then she folded over and rested her head on it.
Stepping out into the light rain, Lawson walked to her car window and tapped. She jumped nearly out of those wet clothes she was wearing—which he had to admit would have been a sight for his sore eyes—and stared at him. This was the second time this morning that he’d startled her. Third, if he counted splashing in beside her when he’d parked.
“Move over,” he ordered.
Her chin lifted stubbornly. Then she folded her arms on her chest, making her cleavage pop through the still-damp shirt she was wearing.
Eyes in your head, Lawson, his conscience chided.
Thunder crackled and then the light sprinkle turned into a sudden downpour. “Please, move over,” he said, unsure whether she could hear him over the white noise of the rain splattering the pavement all around him. If I had any sense, I’d just get in my truck and leave her here, he thought. That was obviously what she wanted. She could call for help from inside if she needed it. Instead, true to his roots, he stayed put.
Finally, she crawled into the passenger seat and he whipped the door open, stuffing himself behind the steering wheel of the little car. This was one of the reasons he drove a big truck. He needed legroom, arm room, room to keep his cowboy hat on if he wanted to. Pulling off his hat so he could straighten up, he turned the key several times before pulling it out of the ignition. “Looks like you’re riding with me.”
“I…Well, I…That’s really not necessary.”
“You want me to leave you here sitting in the rain?” he asked. “A ride is the least I can do for interrupting your meeting like that. I’m really sorry.”
Julie folded her arms on her chest again. It wasn’t her cleavage that caught his attention this time, though; it was the look sparking in her eyes. Something about him was rubbing this woman all wrong. “And splashing in the parking lot like a bat out of hell,” she added.
“I was driving the speed limit. You opened your car door as I was turning in. How was I supposed to know that would happen?”
If looks could kick a guy in the nuts, he’d be bent over in agony right about now.
“She just needs a little time. A few more cranks and I’m sure she’ll start.”
Lawson stared at her. “ ‘She’?” he asked, a small laugh escaping.
“My car.”
He ran his hand over his jaw, willing himself not to laugh. Julie was obviously in no mood for his humor. “All right. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll crank her one more time. If she starts, then I’ll leave you alone. If she doesn’t, then I’m giving you a ride. I can come back and look under the hood later, after the storm passes.”
Those crossed arms hugged her body even tighter, and he had to force himself not to look down. “Fine,” she finally said. Her gaze dropped to the keys in his hand.
“Good.” He slipped the key into the ignition and turned, expecting the gnashing-metal sound to answer him—in which case he’d add chauffeur to his list of job duties this morning. Instead, her engine revved to life.
Julie pushed on his shoulder. “See? Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll slip back behind the wheel and be going home.”
Lawson didn’t budge. “I don’t trust it. Her,” he clarified, unable to help himself. “Let me follow you back to your house. I want to make sure you get there all right. And I meant what I said. I’ll come take a look later.”
“Not necessary.”
Lawson contained his grin. He couldn’t decide if her stubbornness was a turnoff or a complete turn-on. “Have you ever heard of chivalry? Women are supposed to like that stuff.” And most usually did. He slid his hat back onto his head and pushed open the driver’s-side door. “I’ll follow behind you and then be on my way. You’re staying at your sister Kat’s old house, right?”
Julie’s eyebrows lowered. “How did you know that?” she asked.
“Relax. Micah mentioned that you were staying at her house right now. Just wait for me to get in my truck.” He stepped out, adjusting his cowboy hat to keep the rain out of his eyes, and walked toward his truck. It’d been attraction at first sight when he’d met Julie last year—on his end, at least. Julie, on the other hand, hadn’t been interested. Same as now, only he wasn’t flirting with her at the moment. All he was trying to do was help.
He opened his truck door, got inside, and looked over at Julie’s car as he cranked his own engine. Except Julie’s car wasn’t there anymore. With a glance in the rearview mirror, he saw her turning out of the parking lot. “Ah, hell,” he said, backing out of the spot and chasing after her. Turnoff, he decided.
Five minutes later, he slowed his truck as Julie pulled into her driveway. He watched her step out of her car, then hurry toward the front door, not bothering to look back.
“You’re welcome,” he muttered to himself, watching her fidget with her house keys. They dropped to the porch and she bent to pick them up, reminding him of the position she’d been in when he’d walked up on her this morning.
Turn-on, he thought, despite himself. Julie Chandler was definitely a turn-on.
Since she’d gotten home safely, he continued driving, creating as much distance as he could between himself and the pretty yogi who clearly hated his guts. And that was a good thing, because otherwise he might be tempted to go knock on that front door and offer to help pull that stick out of her sweet little ass.
He didn’t have time for another sparring match with Julie Chandler, though. He’d been released to get back to regular duty last Friday. No more paper pushing for him. He needed to go home and put on some dry clothes. Then it was time he got back to doing what he loved—flying.
Julie peeked through the blinds in the front window and exhaled as she saw Lawson’s truck fade into the distance. Her morning so far had gone about as disastrously as possible.
Heading to the fridge, she collected some fruit for her morning smoothie. She might as well enjoy this, because if she didn’t get a job quickly, it might be her last decent meal for a while. She peeled a couple of bananas and tossed them in the blender. If Lawson hadn’t walked in, Allison might have found a job for her. If he hadn’t ruined her proposal pac
ket, Allison might be reviewing it right now.
Tossing in some frozen berries, she chided herself. She wasn’t being fair and she knew it. Lawson had only been trying to help. After her experience with her ex, she’d promised herself she wouldn’t turn into one of those bitter, man-hating women. But that’s exactly how she’d acted this morning. Ugh.
She scooped a couple generous spoonfuls of yogurt into the blender and pressed the ON button, watching as the fruit swirled around, surrendering to the machine’s blades. Next time she saw Lawson, she owed him an apology. She was a nice person. Daren hadn’t robbed her of that. She didn’t owe Lawson a date, however, which is what he’d tried so hard to get when she’d first met him last year. Dating was the furthest thing from what she needed right now.
Pouring her smoothie into a cup, she walked to the kitchen counter and sat on the stool in front of it. She pulled her computer to her to continue looking for a job as she drank. There had to be something out there for her.
As she scrolled through the new postings on a local job site, hope shriveled inside her.
Dog walker.
Chef.
Babysitter.
She had no experience with kids or dogs. And making this smoothie was as good as she got when it came to skills in the kitchen. With a sigh, she grabbed her drink and her yoga mat and decided to do something she was good at: yoga on the beach. She’d found that even if it was raining here, the sun was usually shining just east of the Seaside Bridge. Maybe a few calming poses surrounded by nature would take her mind off unemployment, stacks of bills, and a certain sexy cowboy turned Marine.
Love stories you’ll never forget
By authors you’ll always remember
eOriginal Romance from Random House
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