“And how have you been, Heather?” Michelle asked her softly.
“Oh, I’ve been fine. I’m looking forward to the party. Turning sixteen is going to be super. Jason has already asked Dad if he can take me to the movies the weekend following my birthday.”
“Who’s Jason?” she asked.
Heather’s smile practically told it all. “Jason Sullivan is a guy I know from church and school. He’s seventeen and a junior this year. He’s supernice.”
Michelle chuckled. “I know Jason. His aunt Carrie is a close friend of mine. We went to school together. I know his parents, as well. Connie and Anthony were older and graduated from school before Carrie and me. And you’re right, Jason’s supernice. The entire Sullivan family is.”
“I think Dad likes Jason,” Heather said as Michelle placed a plate of goodies along with a glass of milk on the table. “He lets Jason walk me home, but he just can’t take me out yet. And on the weekends, he comes over and we watch movies together. Sometimes Dad joins us, but usually he stays in his office to work.”
Heather tilted her head as Michelle sat down at the table. “You can come over if you like and watch movies with us, Ms. Chapman. We can make it a foursome. Me and Jason and you and my dad.”
Michelle was stunned by the invitation and at first was speechless. “Thanks,” she said at last, “but I’m not sure how your father would feel about that.”
Heather waved off her words. “Dad won’t mind.”
Michelle had to disagree, considering how quickly he’d taken off yesterday.
“These are so good,” Heather said, practically licking her lips as she tried a chocolate-studded cookie. “And before I forget the reason I dropped by. I’ve invited twenty people to my party. Twelve girls and eight boys.”
Michelle nodded. “Twenty is a good number, and I already know it’s going to be some party.”
“I hope so. You only turn sixteen once.”
“That’s true. I’m going to do everything I can to make it special, and I have just the menu for you. I spoke with Ravine Stokes earlier today and I think you’re going to enjoy all the group activities she’s come up with. I’ll be getting together with your father to present the menu to him, and I’m hoping we’ll finalize everything then. Now that I know how many are coming, I can calculate just how much food to prepare.”
Heather smiled at her. “Thanks, Ms. Chapman. Dad made a smart move when he hired you. I’m glad he didn’t take Ms. Beaumont up on her offer to help.”
Michelle pretended not to hear what Heather had said. Ms. Amy had told her that Latisha Beaumont had set her sights on Paul the moment he’d moved to town. Thoughts of the woman being so aggressive should not bother her. After all, Latisha had put out the word a couple of years ago that she was in the market for husband number three. And Paul was definitely a man any woman would be interested in. As Michelle studied Heather’s list, she wondered what else Latisha had volunteered to do for Paul, and found it extremely annoying that she even cared.
“I talked to my grandmother last night and told her how well you can bake.”
Michelle smiled. “Are your grandparents flying in for the party?”
“No, they’re doing missionary work in Africa, but they’ll be coming for a visit this summer and we’ll celebrate then.”
Michelle really liked Heather, and a part of her wanted to ask whether her father had taken her to the doctor, but knowing how Paul felt, she would be out of line to do so. She had asked earlier how Heather was doing and she’d said fine. And she looked fine. But Michelle knew an asthma attack could happen at any moment regardless of how well you looked. And that worried her.
* * *
PAUL TOSSED THE PAPERS he’d been reading aside, finding it hard to concentrate. For some reason, Michelle Chapman was on his mind, and had been since she’d dropped by the other day to finalize the menu.
He would have no other contact with her until the party, when she arrived to set things up, and that was a full eight days from now. Why did the thought of not seeing her again until then bother him? He sighed as he leaned back in his chair after staring at his calendar for a moment longer than necessary.
“Hey, Dad.”
He glanced up. Heather was standing in the doorway. “Hello, sweetheart. School’s out already?”
“Yes. Today is one of those early dismissal days, where we get out at noon. I mentioned it this morning.”
She probably had. His mind evidently had been on other things. Or, more specifically, on someone. Sighing deeply, he picked up the document he’d been trying all morning to read.
“I had planned to stop by Ms. Chapman’s house on my way home from school,” Heather said.
He swung his head up and stared at her. “Why?” He’d known that she had stopped by Michelle’s house last week to tell her the number of people coming to her party.
“Because we still have her container—the one she sent those treats in last week. I wanted to get it back to her in case she needed it for another order or something.”
He had forgotten all about the container. He could have easily given it to Michelle the other day when she was here. This was the excuse he needed to see her again. “You’re right, she might need it. I’ll take it over to her now.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“No problem.”
After Heather left the room, he quickly shut down his computer and moved from behind his desk. A surge of something he hadn’t felt in a long time rushed through his veins. There had to be a reason why he was in such a high-wire mood at the chance to see Michelle again. There had to be a reason why he thought of her constantly. And he was determined to find out what it was. Today.
* * *
“COMING!”
Michelle made her way out of her bedroom, entering the hall while putting in an earring. She had finished all the baking she needed to do that day and had decided to get out of the house and treat herself to lunch. Since there weren’t too many places where she could go in Lake Falls if she wanted a meal alone, she decided to take the drive into Savannah and dine at one of her favorite restaurants.
She had taken a leisurely bath and slipped on a sundress she had purchased last month when she had gone to visit friends in Memphis. She felt good today. Her Realtor had called that morning and said the couple leasing her condo were interested in buying it. She had no qualms about selling, which meant she had made up her mind as to where she wanted to live permanently. A lot of people would think she was nuts for giving up the fun and excitement of Memphis, but she knew what was best for her. Lake Falls was her home. She hadn’t known how much she missed living here until she had returned.
She glanced out the peephole in her door and caught her breath. Paul was standing on the other side. What was he doing here? There was nothing left for them to discuss. And besides, it still bothered her that he refused to acknowledge Heather’s condition. A part of her wanted to approach him about it again. But first, she needed to know why he was on her front porch. She inhaled deeply, knowing the only way to find that out was to open the door and ask.
* * *
“PAUL, THIS IS A pleasant surprise. I hope everything is all right.”
Paul blinked and then for the next couple of seconds just stood there staring, allowing his gaze to roam all over Michelle, starting at the top of her head to the sandals she was wearing. Her hair was pinned up, with a few wispy curls framing her face, the style complimenting her softly rounded features. And then there was her dress, a buttercup-yellow that highlighted her smooth brown skin. She had on very little makeup, which gave her a fresh and wholesome look. A downright sexy look.
“Paul?”
He blinked a second time, realizing she’d said his name again, waiting for him to answer. “No, there’s nothing wrong. I’m just returning this.”
She glanced down at the container in his hand. “Oh, I’d almost forgotten about it. Come in.”
She stepped aside and he entered.
“It seems I came at a bad time,” he said when she closed the door behind him. “You’re about to go out.”
She smiled, taking the container from him. “You’re fine. I decided to drive to Savannah today and treat myself to lunch. Excuse me while I put this in the kitchen.”
He watched her walk off, and wondered what there was about her that attracted him so fiercely. She was a looker, but there was something else, too. It had to be her calm and soothing nature. That had been evident during Heather’s reaction to those markers. Or maybe it was because Michelle was one of the few single women in Lake Falls who hadn’t deliberately put herself in his path at every opportune moment. If Latisha Beaumont came up with another excuse to call him, he was seriously thinking about having a talk with her. No man liked being harassed, and he was beginning to feel that was exactly what she was doing.
“You really didn’t have to come make a special trip to bring that to me,” Michelle was saying as she returned to the room. “I have plenty of them.”
“No problem. Today is a slow day for me anyway.” There was no reason to tell her that he had lots of work to do, but couldn’t get in the right frame of mind to do it. “And you’re off to Savannah for lunch?”
“Yes, just for a change of pace. I’m going to one of my favorite restaurants.”
He nodded. “Are you planning to meet someone there?”
She shook her head and smiled. “No, I’ll be dining alone.”
Not one to miss an opportunity, Paul asked, “Mind if I join you? I haven’t had lunch yet myself, and a good meal in Savannah sounds nice.”
He could tell she was surprised by his question, but her smile didn’t waver as she said, “Sure. You can join me if you really want to.”
He met her gaze. “I do really want to. We can take my car.”
CHAPTER
FIVE
MICHELLE DIDN’T WANT to think of having lunch with Paul as a date. But what else would you call it when, after leaving Rocco’s, they’d strolled hand in hand around Savannah’s historic district? It had been a while since she had enjoyed male company, and found that Paul was a likable guy.
She was surprised when he shared a lot about himself, telling her of his parents’ missionary work and his eighty-five-year-old grand-aunt Zelda, whom he was very fond of. He didn’t say much about his divorce, only that his wife had never wanted kids and could only hang in as a parent for the first five years of Heather’s life before splitting. He was quite sure that Heather probably wouldn’t know her mother if they were to pass on the street. The disgust in his voice let Michelle know that he was not carrying a torch for his ex.
She also discovered that he was a guy who liked a lot of the same things she did. They enjoyed eating seafood, loved chocolate, preferred watching basketball to football and were members of the same political party. The only thing they differed dramatically on was their taste in movies. She liked watching romantic comedy, whereas he preferred blood, guts and gore.
By the time the scenic walk they had taken was over, it was late afternoon, and he suggested they remain in Savannah for dinner and try out a steak house one of the tour guides had recommended. Once at the restaurant, he called Heather on his cell phone to let her know not to expect him until late. He’d told her where he was, but omitted mentioning that the two of them were together.
When he ended the call, Michelle seized the opportunity to ask him about Heather’s health. She could immediately tell from his expression that he didn’t appreciate her concern.
She leaned back in her chair. If he thought he had a reason to be irritated with her, then she felt she had a reason to be irritated with him. “Why do you get so uptight whenever I ask about Heather?”
He frowned. “I don’t get uptight. I just don’t know why you’re assuming that something is wrong with my daughter.”
Michelle sighed. “I’m not assuming anything, Paul. One asthma attack can be followed by another, which could be dangerous, especially if you don’t know the reason for it. I can’t help but be concerned. Heather needs to be on an asthma management plan. If you don’t feel comfortable taking her to the doctor, at least call the Allergy & Asthma Net—”
“You saw her last week. Did she look ill?” he interrupted tersely.
“No.”
“Okay then.”
A part of Michelle knew it wasn’t okay, but that she would be wasting her time trying to convince him of that. When it came to Heather’s asthma, he was determined to keep his head in the sand.
They didn’t talk much on the drive back to Lake Falls; the tension between them was as obvious as the reason for it. There were certain aspects of his life that he was determined to keep to himself. She knew he had that right. After all, there was really nothing going on between them. But she had truly enjoyed spending time with him today and couldn’t help but be bothered by his attitude.
By the time they arrived back in Lake Falls it was dark. He parked in front of her home and turned off the engine. “I upset you.”
She glanced over at him and shook her head. “No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did and I want to apologize.”
She met his gaze, expecting him to say more, something that might explain why he was so stubborn when it came to Heather’s condition.
“I enjoyed your company,” he said, pulling her thoughts back to the two of them and the fact they were sitting in a parked car in front of her house.
From now on, Michelle decided, she wouldn’t bring up anything related to Heather’s asthma episode. Even when she couldn’t contain her own worry, she would keep it to herself and not share her concern with Paul.
“And I enjoyed your company, as well,” she said, and meant it. She refused to let her annoyance with him over Heather ruin what she felt had been a beautiful day.
“How would you like to join me for a cup of coffee and one of my new pastries?” she offered.
He smiled over at her. “I’d love to.”
When they began walking together up to the house, he reached out and took her hand in his, just as he’d done most of the day. He released it only when she had to pull her key out of her purse to open the door. He stepped inside behind her and closed the door.
The lights in the entire house were turned off, and when she switched on the lamp next to the sofa, it cast the room in a soft glow. She turned quickly to find Paul standing right in front of her.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said in a husky tone.
“You didn’t.”
Her insides were quivering, but not because he’d surprised her. It was because he was so close. He had stood next to her several times that day, but for some reason this was different. She probably could blame the soft lighting in the room, which gave it a sort of romantic setting, or possibly the way he was looking at her. His eyes were deep, dark, intense.
“I guess now is a good time to thank you for today,” she said. “But I hadn’t meant for you to pay for both my meals.”
He smiled. “No need to thank me. I enjoyed your company, and I appreciate you letting me tag along.”
“You can tag along anytime. I enjoyed your company, as well.”
“Mmm, anytime?” he said in a low, husky tone. “I might take you up on your offer.”
Michelle parted her lips, but whatever she was about to say was forgotten when he leaned in close, placed his hands around her waist and kissed the words right off her lips. Desire, fueled by need, made her moan when he deepened the kiss. As if sensing her response, he pulled her closer into his arms, molding her soft curves against his hard muscles and stirring a degree of urgency within her that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Of their own accord, her arms reached up and wrapped around his neck, and she kissed him back.
* * *
WOW! PAUL SLOWLY PULLED his mouth away and leaned back, his arms still wrapped around Michelle’s waist. He felt her tremble, and at the same time acknowledged the way his own heart was pounding in his chest
. Had passion been bottled up inside of him for so long that, once uncapped, it had unleashed emotions he’d forgotten he could feel? Emotions that were now eating away at him, making him long for something he’d thought he could do without.
He watched as Michelle raised her hand and touched the lips that he’d just kissed. “I don’t know if that was a good idea,” she said softly.
He leaned closer, coming within mere inches of her mouth, and breathed, “That, Michelle, was the best idea I’ve had in a long time.”
Then he kissed her again, glorying in her automatic response and not allowing either of them to deny what they were feeling. Skyrocketing passion. An overload of desire. He had wanted to seduce her with his mouth, but found she was seducing him with hers instead.
He pulled back slowly, reluctantly, but knowing that he had to. One part of his mind screamed that they were moving too fast. But another taunted they weren’t moving fast enough. The attraction had been there from the first and they were finally acting on it.
“I think I’d better go,” he said softly, taking a step back and releasing his hands from around her waist.
“But what about your treat?”
He smiled. “I just enjoyed it, and it was well worth the wait.”
* * *
LATER THAT NIGHT, after Michelle had gotten into bed, she took the time to reflect on just how her day with Paul had gone.
He had said that he would see her tomorrow, and she believed him. She just wasn’t sure where all this would lead. A few days ago she hadn’t been the least bit interested in becoming involved with a man, but being around Paul today had reminded her what it was like to share a special relationship with someone.
But then, she couldn’t forget that Paul was deliberately keeping her at bay when it came to Heather’s health. Each time she brought up the subject, he closed her out.
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