Molly ignored his running commentary. Leave it to Clarence to think a shopping mall would be a grand idea. He’d probably welcome the plague, too.
“You could have done something, Clarence! Anything! But you didn’t have to arrest her!” Shock clipped Molly’s words, and her breath came in short, jerky gasps.
“What’s Miss Emily’s bail, sheriff?” Jonathan was the epitome of staid, calm composure.
The sheriff scratched himself again and shifted nervously. “Seeing’s how I’ve known Miss Emily all my life, I’ll go easy on her.” He thought for a moment and then flashed them a toothy grin. “Two hundred dollars.”
“What!” Molly lunged across the counter at him, determined to do bodily harm if she got her hands on him. Jonathan caught her around the waist and lifted her off the floor before she reached the sheriff.
“Clarence Pritchard!” she screeched over her shoulder. “Aunt Emily’s right about you. You didn’t have a lick of sense when you were a child, and I can’t say that I’ve seen any improvement in the years since!”
Carrying her across the room, Jonathan deposited her on the nearest empty chair and shook his head. “Molly Maguire, don’t you dare move from this chair until I tell you to! At this rate, I’ll have to wire Portland for bail money for the whole lot of us.” Jonathan’s jaw twitched, and he glared down at her. “One more thing: be quiet until I’m finished.” With that, he spun on his heel.
She angrily slid back against the wall and clenched her fists. Was Clarence out of his mind? Where on earth was she supposed to get that kind of money this late at night? She was a school teacher, not a banker!
Fuming, Molly watched as Jonathan counted out a stack of bills and handed them to the sheriff. A few moments later Jonathan approached her, a wide smile on his face. “The fine is paid, Molly. Your aunt is free.”
Relief flooded her, and Molly jumped from the chair, ran across the room, and threw her arms around his neck. “Jonathan, thank you! I don’t know what I would have done without you,” she gushed. “How can I ever repay you?”
“I’m sure we can think of something,” Jonathan whispered, hugging her tight. “I’m sure we can think of something.”
His nearness made Molly’s legs tremble. Finally Jonathan released her and held her at arm’s length. For a long moment they stared at each other in silence. Molly was vaguely aware that something deep inside of her was slowly fluttering awake. Her heart raced and her pulse danced. Jonathan’s eyes seemed to stroke her more gently than a caress, and Molly shivered. The dull, stuffy air of the sheriff’s office suddenly seemed electrified.
“Come on, Molly,” Jonathan said softly, breaking the spell. “Let’s go find someplace quiet to wait.”
Feeling oddly uncomfortable, Molly deliberately avoided Jonathan’s gaze as she followed him to the chairs at the back of the room. Her tongue seemed to have deserted her in her hour of need, and she couldn’t think of one intelligent thing to say, so she sat down and remained silent.
A few moments later Sheriff Pritchard dutifully helped her aunt into the room. Molly wasn’t too surprised to see Clarence holding her aunt’s cane carefully out of the woman’s reach. Good thing, too, Molly thought with a trace of humor. Molly knew that when her aunt found out the size of her bail, she was likely to use her cane on poor Clarence again.
“Aunt Emily! Are you all right?” Molly rushed to her and folded the small woman into her arms.
“All right?” Aunt Emily frowned. “Why, of course, I’m all right, dear. Why wouldn’t I be?” She looked at Molly as if she was behaving like an addle-brained child.
“Why, indeed?” Molly chuckled softly, then hugged her aunt tight. “Come on, let’s go home.”
“Clarence!” Aunt Emily’s voice rang loud with indignation, capturing the sheriff’s attention. “I do believe you have something that belongs to me.” She nodded toward her cane, but Clarence shook his head.
“I’ll give this back to you, Miss Emily, but only if you promise not to go around hitting people with it.” He grimaced and rubbed his backside gingerly. “This thing is dangerous.”
“Nonsense!” Emily snatched the cane from Clarence, causing him to jump back out of her reach. “And don’t think I’m not going to mention this to your father, young man.” She pointed her cane in his direction again, and Clarence hung his head sheepishly.
“Ah, Miss Emily,” he whined. “I was just doing my job.”
“Humph! We’ll see about your job come election time. Just might decide to run for sheriff myself!” She studied him coolly. Finally, satisfied that he had gotten her point, she turned to Molly. As she spotted Jonathan for the first time, Emily’s face brightened, and she smiled girlishly. “Jonathan, dear,” she crooned, “it’s nice to see you again. Now I know the reason for my niece’s glowing face.”
“Aunt Emily!” Molly blushed to her ears. Leave it to her aunt to say exactly what was on her mind!
“Ladies, I think our business here is concluded.” Jonathan gallantly held out an arm for each of them and led them out of the sheriff’s office.
In the car, Aunt Emily chatted away as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, without giving Molly a chance to question her about her latest escapade. It wasn’t until they were inside the house that Emily dropped yet another bombshell.
“Jonathan, dear, since you’re an attorney, would you mind looking into the problem at the senior center? They’ve closed the place down because of some code violations or some such nonsense. Ridiculous if you ask me.” She smiled sweetly and patted Jonathan’s arm. “It sure would mean a lot to me. The senior center is the only place we can meet and socialize with people our own age. It’s been part of this town for as long as I can remember. Whatever the problem, I’m sure you can take care of it for us, dear.” Emily faked a pain-filled sigh that didn’t fool Molly for a moment. She knew the twinkle in her aunt’s eyes very well. But Jonathan seemed completely taken in. Her aunt sure hadn’t lost her touch, Molly thought, smothering a chuckle. It was time for her to put a stop to her aunt’s shenanigans. Poor Jonathan didn’t stand a chance.
“Aunt Emily,” Molly said firmly. “Jonathan is only going to be here for a short time. I doubt that he’ll be able to do anything to help. Besides, I’m sure he has other things planned for his vacation.” She met Jonathan’s gaze over the top of her aunt’s head, and he gave her a wink.
“Nonsense!” Emily snapped, turning to give Molly the full benefit of her blue eyes. “I’m sure Jonathan can help us. And you can help him.” Emily smiled sweetly and Molly cringed. That smile was a sure sign of trouble.
“Miss Emily, I’ll be glad to do anything I can to help,” Jonathan offered with a smile. He gave Molly a helpless shrug.
Emily fairly beamed. “Wonderful, dear. I knew we could count on you.”
“Oh, dear, it’s been such a trying evening, would you mind helping me off with my coat?” Emily patted the area near her heart and gave Jonathan her full attention as he politely helped her remove her coat.
Molly realized her aunt had done it again. Whenever Aunt Emily didn’t want to discuss something, she abruptly changed the subject. But this time, it wasn’t going to work.
“Aunt Emily—” Molly stopped as a round of sneezes rocked Jonathan.
“Catching cold, dear?” Emily inquired sweetly, giving Jonathan’s arm a reassuring pat. “You’d better take care of yourself.”
Jonathan rubbed his eyes. “I don’t think it’s a cold. I think I’m just allergic to the fur on your coat.”
Emily yanked the offending article from his arms and promptly hung it in the closet. “Can’t have you sick now, Jonathan. We need you.”
Molly rolled her eyes and sighed. Her aunt was laying it on rather thick, even for her.
“Well, children, I think I’ll say good-night.” Emily sniffed delicately, and Molly bit her bottom lip to keep from chuckling.
“Jonathan, you’re in trouble now,” Molly teased after her aunt ha
d gone. “Once Aunt Emily trusts you, you have a friend for life.”
Jonathan leaned his weight against the front door and dimmed the foyer light, bathing the room in a shadowy haze. “How about you, Molly? Do you trust me? Are you my friend?” His voice had dropped to a whisper and Molly shivered. The conversation had taken a sudden and unexpected turn, and she wasn’t at all certain she liked where it was going.
“Of course, I’m your friend,” she returned softly, taking a step back. She needed to put some distance between them in order to think. For some reason, the closer Jonathan got, the harder it was for her brain to function.
“What if I want more than a friend, Molly?” He reached out and caught her hand in his. His nearness was making her heart pound. “You never answered my question, either.” Her pulse fluttered as he slowly drew her hand upward. She was shocked by the velvet softness of his mouth as he pressed his lips to her open palm.
“Wh-what question?” she managed to get out.
His eyes locked on hers, and his warm breath sent a tingling feeling through her as his lips gently teased her willing hand.
“Do you need a man in your life, Molly?” His thumb moved gently to caress her wrist with feather strokes. She caught her breath as his fingers slowly traced a delicate little pattern, working their way slowly up her arm until a wave of intoxicating shivers raced through her. “You’re shivering,” he whispered. His voice was as tender as a spring breeze. “Does my touch bother you?”
“N-no,” she fibbed, blinking rapidly. “I’m just ticklish.” She tried to force some order into her distracted thoughts as his fingers continued their journey, slowly skipping up her arm. Even through the thin silk of her sleeves, his touch burned. His warm fingers cupped her neck, tenderly caressing the bare skin, which only increased the lethargy that made her legs tremble and scrambled her common sense.
“Your hair feels like silk,” he whispered, slowly undoing the neatly braided plait. His fingers combed through the heavy strands of her hair, and Molly had to force her lungs to work. Why hadn’t she noticed the thickly corded muscles of his neck? Or the way his voice deepened when he spoke her name? Or the way his lips seemed so warm, so inviting?
“Come here, Molly.” The words seemed to echo from deep within the wall of his chest, and Molly took a deep breath. Jonathan was so close that the masculine scent of him filled her senses, heating the blood in her veins to the boiling point. “Molly, come here,” he repeated, trailing his fingers down the silky strands of her hair to the pulse points of her throat. Pushing back her loose hair, he bent his head to nuzzle her neck.
Her heart thumped, and Molly feared he could see its increased tempo through the thin material of her dress. She struggled to regain some control of her senses, which were reacting to him in a way that confused her.
“Don’t be afraid of me, Molly.” He flashed her a wide smile, then slid his other arm around her narrow waist, pulling her so close that she could feel his heart beating.
Her dark lashes fluttered nervously. That smile, she thought, could charm a grizzly bear with a toothache. She watched in a trance as his mouth hovered close to hers. Unconsciously she licked her lips, which suddenly felt parched. Molly tried to ignore the fingers that skipped along her spine, but a sweet flow of momentary weakness seeped into her pulsing veins, and it took all of her self-control not to sag limply against Jonathan’s broad chest.
Jonathan’s mouth, warm and moist, trailed across her temples. Emotions long dormant began to stir, frightening her.
“Jonathan, wait,” she protested, lifting a hand to his chest. “I don’t think—”
“Don’t think, Molly,” he murmured, ignoring her hand, “just feel.” His lips trailed down her cheek to nuzzle the soft patch of tender skin along her jawline.
“But, Aunt Emily…” Her words faltered as he lowered his lips to tease the curve of her mouth.
“Sorry, Molly,” he whispered against her skin. “Your aunt will have to get her own man.” His mouth dropped again to tease the corners of her lips, and Molly shuddered as a torrent of conflicting emotions tore through her, adding to her confusion.
Anticipation ached through her weary limbs. If he was going to kiss her, she wished he’d hurry up. He was driving her crazy!
“Molly,” he moaned. “You taste so good.” His breath was sweet, and she arched closer to him, anxious for his touch. Apprehension and desire mingled in a blur as his lips teased hers. Her breath withered as he gently seduced her mouth. “Now, Molly?”
She wound her arms tightly around his neck and sighed. “Now, Jonathan.”
His parted lips met hers, shocking her. He tasted sweeter than she’d ever expected. Molly tightened her arms around him, rocked by the tide of desire that flowed through her. Jonathan slowly pulled his mouth from hers, and Molly’s lids fluttered open in surprise. “Is that it?”
Jonathan gazed at her for a moment, then chuckled softly. “No, Molly, that’s just the beginning.” His mouth came down on hers again, this time with more urgency. She leaned into him, forgetting everything but the wonderful strong feel of his arms around her and the wonderful taste of his lips, soft and tender, on hers.
Molly’s breath lodged in her throat as his hands tightened around her waist. Shivers of desire danced through her. She savored the taste of him, reveling in his embrace. His mouth worked slowly over hers, yet with an intensity that could not be ignored. Lost in a tidal wave of emotions, Molly refused to heed the voice of protest that rudely hammered at her foggy brain.
Suddenly Jonathan pulled back, a strange look on his face. Startled by his abruptness, which left her reeling and feeling foolish, Molly stared at Jonathan. His eyes were red and swollen.
“Jonathan, what’s wrong?”
“You don’t have a cat, do you?” he gasped, his eyes wide.
Oh, Lord, Nickodemus. “Y-yes,” she stammered helplessly as she turned up the light.
“I’m severely allergic to cats—to anything with fur, particularly living things.” He snatched a snowy white handkerchief from his back pocket as a round of sneezes rocked him. Jonathan edged toward the door, the handkerchief over his face. “I have to get out of here, Molly, I can’t breathe.”
She nodded, then unlocked the door and yanked it open. Jonathan lunged outside, still holding the handkerchief over his face.
“Shut the door!” he commanded. Molly did as she was told, scanning the room for the offending cat.
“Molly?” Jonathan whispered through the door. “Are you there?”
She pressed her hand against the door where she thought his face might be. “I’m here.”
“I had a wonderful time, Molly. I must admit it was a very strange first date, but I did enjoy it.” The humor was back in his voice, and she could almost see his smile.
“Thank you,” she whispered back. “So did I.” She touched her fingers to her lips and felt a sudden thrill as she remembered his lips on hers. “I’m sorry about the cat. And thank you for helping my aunt.”
“You’re welcome, and don’t worry about the cat. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.” After a long pause, he said, “Molly?”
“Yes?”
“Can I see you tomorrow? Maybe we can have a picnic supper.”
Molly smiled and leaned against the door. “Sure, a picnic sounds nice.”
“I’d better pick you up out in front, just in case. All right?”
She could hear him reeling with another round of sneezes, and her heart melted. “That’s fine, Jonathan. I’ll handle the food. Is seven all right?”
“Seven is fine. Good night, Molly,” he whispered tenderly.
“Good night, Jonathan,” she whispered back, touching the door again.
“Oh, Molly? You never answered my question.” There was another long pause, and then he said, “Tomorrow’s another day.”
Molly smiled in spite of herself. “Good night, Jonathan,” she said firmly as she listened to his footsteps echo down the hall. Sighing ha
ppily, she leaned against the door.
Suddenly she bolted upright, a look of fear on her face. Good Lord, what on earth had she done?
Chapter Four
“Pssst. Molly?” Emily’s hushed whisper came through the darkness, snapping Molly out of her reverie.
“Yes, Aunt Emily?” She hoped her voice sounded more normal than she felt. Self-consciously she straightened her mussed hair and snapped on the light before crossing to the living room.
“Is Jonathan gone already, dear?” Emily peeked around her bedroom door.
“You can stop your whispering.” Molly laughed. “He’s gone.” It was her long-standing habit to sit and chat with her aunt after a date. They had been doing it since Molly had begun dating back in high school.
Emily entered the room at a trot, pink foam curlers flying and a mischievous smile on her face. The tips of her fluffy purple slippers peeked out from beneath her red flannel nightgown. “How’d it go, dear?” Though her aunt’s voice was calm, Molly could sense her excitement.
“It went…well,” she admitted reluctantly.
“Wonderful. Alma said Jonathan was a dear boy.” Emily smiled happily. Molly knew that smile all too well.
“Now, Aunt Emily,” Molly said carefully, tempering her words, “it was just a simple date. Nothing more. Nothing less.” There was no sense in Aunt Emily getting her hopes up. Molly didn’t want her aunt to have any illusions about her and Jonathan. A faint smile curved her lips, and Molly suddenly wished she felt the conviction of her words.
“Nonsense! Sit down and tell me about it.” Emily moved to the couch and sat down. Patting the cushion next to her, she looked up expectantly.
Molly sighed. Kicking off her shoes, she curled up next to her aunt. “There’s really not much to tell,” she hedged, then frowned. “Aunt Emily, we have a few other matters to discuss besides my date with Jonathan Kent.” She raised an eyebrow and cocked her head. “Like how you got yourself arrested tonight. What on earth happened? And what were you doing at the senior center so late at night?”
Heavenly Match Page 4