by Ginny Baird
“What magazine?”
“Pet Psychic.”
Nathan resisted a grin. “I see.”
“I only asked how pets could be psychic? I mean, how can anyone know?” Bernie dropped his butt to the ground and crushed it out. “Then she started fuming about how it wasn’t the pets that were psychic, but the people who communed with them.”
“Doesn’t sound like there was an easy way out of that one.”
“No.”
“Why don’t you take her some flowers? Make it up to her?”
“Me? But I didn’t do anything wrong!”
Nathan studied the butt on the ground. “Better than pushing up daisies, my friend.”
“You know I’m trying to quit.”
“Don’t let a temporary setback stop you. Just jump back on that wagon, pal.” He held out his palm and waited until Bernie reluctantly extracted his pack. He slapped it into Nathan’s hand with a weighty sigh. “Thanks, Nathan.”
“Any time.”
Bernie scratched his head, thinking.
“Know where I can get flowers at this hour?”
“They sell them at Evan’s, but they lock up at nine.”
Bernie shot him an urgent stare.
“Go on,” Nathan said with a laugh. “I’ll hold down the fort here.”
“Are you sure?”
“The store’s just around the corner.”
“It’ll sure beat sleeping on the sofa tonight.”
“And don’t speed!” Nathan called after him as he raced for his car.
When Nathan entered the gym, he encountered the typical scene. Couples crowded onto the dance floor under the disco ball and groups of teacher chaperones standing around gabbing rather than paying attention. Not that there was too much to worry about with this group. These were mostly good kids, and even the gnarly ones had their merits. It wasn’t easy being in high school sometimes. Nathan was sure Claire could attest to that. He scanned the room searching for her, then finally spotted her on the dance floor—wouldn’t you know it?—snuggled right up in Perry’s arms.
A slow song must have just ended, because the different couples were splitting apart, but not Claire and Perry. They just stood there gazing at each other like two love-struck kids. Uh-oh, here it comes. Perry was leaning forward and Claire was tilting her face toward his. Nathan could try to stop it, but that wouldn’t be fair. He might not even have been here had he chatted with Bernie a moment further. Perry brought his mouth to Claire’s, and then, in the blink of an eye, it was over. Both of them backed away like they’d frightened themselves silly. Nathan chuckled to himself, remembering what it was like being young. Lately, he’d been feeling fairly youthful himself.
He was standing by the punch bowl when Claire and Perry returned to it.
“Nathan!” she said, her cheeks bright pink. “I didn’t know you were here.”
If she appeared surprised, Perry looked positively petrified. “When did you come in?”
“A few minutes ago.”
Claire’s eyes registered panic.
“You won’t tell Mom?”
“I figure that’s your business.”
Perry sighed audibly. “Thanks.”
Nathan glanced around the room at the others. “Looks like folks are having fun.”
“Yeah, mostly.” Perry watched a girl race for the bathroom in tears. Another one scurried after her, carrying tissues for comfort. “Somebody always breaks up at these things.”
“Doesn’t seem the best place to do it,” Nathan observed.
“Uh-uh,” Claire agreed.
“Well, I’m going to circulate a bit and talk to some teachers. You kids have fun.” But before he walked away, he pointed his finger at Perry. “But not too much.”
Claire helped herself to more punch as Nathan walked away. “He’s really pretty cool.”
“Yeah. Everybody likes him.”
“I think Mom likes him.”
Perry’s face brightened. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Perry watched Nathan moving from one group of grown-ups to another, sharing pleasantries. “Does he like her back?”
“Oh…yeah.” Claire said, drawing out the words.
Perry clinked his punch cup to hers. “That’s sweet.”
When Nathan returned to Elizabeth’s, it was nearly ten o’clock. “I’m sorry,” he told her. “Took a little longer than I thought. Bernie needed a favor.”
“Everything all right?” she asked.
“Yeah.” He removed his hat and set it on the kitchen table. “The dance was going well too.”
“Did you see Claire and Perry?”
“Uh-huh,” he said with a mysterious smile.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Nathan…?”
“Just that they’re getting close.”
“Close?”
“Mind if I have a glass of water?”
“Sure.” She prepared one and brought it to him. “I think you’d better define close.”
“I think you’d better ask your daughter.”
“Nothing happen—?”
“Nothing bad.”
“But—”
He drained his glass, then put it down. “Ask Claire.”
She folded her arms and studied him as he removed his holster and set it aside. “Hmm.”
“Hmm, what?”
“I’d hate to think you’re keeping secrets from me.”
“What if she asked me not to tell?”
“Did she?”
“You’re being very tricky with this. I should put you on my interrogation team.”
She laughed lightly. “You don’t have an interrogation team.”
“Sure I do.” His eyes sparkled. “But it’s just me and Bernie.”
She playfully shoved his arm. “What I am going to do with you?”
“Keep me?” He raised his brow. “At least until you find someone better.”
“I don’t think I could find anyone better.”
“Then kiss me, Elizabeth.” He took her in his arms. “Kiss me like you mean that.”
“But the kids?”
He lowered his lips toward hers.
“Won’t be home for another hour.”
“You’re very hard to resist.”
He closed the distance between them.
“Good.”
By the time Perry brought Claire home, Nathan had gone. Elizabeth politely waited inside rather than rushing to the door, to give them some privacy saying good night. Nathan had suggested she do that, and he was right. But it was awfully hard to hide in the kitchen when she knew her baby girl might be getting her first good-night kiss.
Elizabeth felt like a teenager herself. She and Nathan had practically made out all night. She’d never been so attracted to a man, and for all the right reasons. Nathan was handsome, sexy, intelligent, and kind. And he kissed like some kind of sex god. Elizabeth went a bit light-headed just at the thought. There were so many wonderful memories she and Nathan were already starting to build. She had fun with him. What’s more, she trusted him. Trusted him to be the stand-up sort of guy who stuck around for the long haul. Elizabeth caught her breath, wondering if she was getting ahead of herself. Envisioning a future with Nathan. But it was impossible not to when he was so impossibly wonderful to be around.
She heard the front door close and soon Claire entered the kitchen, looking happy.
“How did everything go?”
“Good,” Claire said. Her expression was pleasant, but it appeared she was floating somewhere, like off in the clouds.
“Just good?”
“Real good.” She sighed, then turned her eyes on her mom’s. “How was your night?”
Elizabeth casually flipped back her hair. “Good.”
Claire cracked a smile. “Good, Mom?”
Elizabeth sighed giddily. “Real good.”
Then they both laughed and hugged each other, and said they were oh so tired but would talk more in
the morning. Privately, though, both of them knew there was only so much the other would share. And that was okay.
Chapter Ten
Elizabeth went to her newspaper office on Monday determined to make lemons into lemonade. If she didn’t have Internet this morning—and she doubted she would—she’d get going on her plans for that first edition anyway. Didn’t folks used to write news before Wi-Fi? Of course they did. Elizabeth could do it too. She’d start the old-fashioned way. Longhand and in person. She’d thought up the idea of interviewing the townspeople and showcasing some local color. She could type up her notes into stories and prepare the periodical’s layout in her software program. She’d add a few interesting photos and…tah-dahhh! She’d have a first edition. She might even get someone at the camera shop to help her print out hard copies. That way, she’d have something concrete to show for herself if the electronic version took longer due to technical difficulties. She still hadn’t been able to reach Jerry and was becoming increasingly frustrated on that account. She’d even tried his administrative assistant’s number, but had only achieved the same bad results.
She was glad Claire had such a fun weekend. She’d had a pretty glorious one too. Nathan had promised to drop in today to check on her Internet and see how she was doing. She was just making up a list of potential interview candidates when he walked in the door.
“How are things?” he asked with a grin that set her tailbone tingling.
“Coming along.”
He tipped his hat in her direction and studied her a moment. When he spoke, his voice was husky. “I missed seeing you yesterday.”
Elizabeth’s heart fluttered. “We can’t possibly see each other all the time.”
“I’ll have to check the law books and see if that’s written in somewhere.” He strode toward her and kissed the top of her head. “But I doubt it.”
Her gaze shot to the front window. “Nathan!” she protested, laughing. “Someone will see us!”
“Just smoothing your hair down a bit,” he said in a playful growl, “with my lips.”
Heat streaked to her nether regions, which had no business being heated at this early hour. She set her papers aside and stood, collecting herself. “Not too busy this morning?”
“Oh yeah, there’s plenty to do. Today I make my rounds and do security checks.”
“Security checks?”
“Of local area businesses. Ensure locks are in working order, smoke detectors are functioning, that sort of thing.” As if to demonstrate, he walked to the front window and attempted to raise its sash. Despite the fact that it was locked, he jimmied it open after a few short tries. “Just what I suspected. This old catch has gone bad. I’ll send somebody by to replace it.”
“I’m not sure if now’s the best time,” Elizabeth hedged. “I’m still out of touch with Richmond and haven’t gotten my budget money for next month.”
He slowly stroked his chin and appraised the window. “No worries,” he said after a beat. “I know a guy who won’t charge much.”
Before she could argue further, he turned to question her. “What’ve you got planned for today?”
She smiled with newfound confidence. “I thought I’d start interviewing. No sense letting time go to waste when I can be roughing out my first edition.”
“That’s my girl.” His eyes sparkled with admiration, and Elizabeth felt warmed through and through. “I knew you’d find a work-around.”
“Work-around?”
“To this temporary Internet setback.” He glanced over at the router. “I’m assuming still no dice?”
She shook her head.
“We’re not having any better luck at the station.”
“What if we get hit by a crime wave?”
“Unlikely.” He briefly removed his hat to run a hand through his short brown hair. “In the five years I’ve been here, haven’t had to throw anyone in the pokey yet.”
“I guess that’s something to be grateful for.”
“You got that straight.”
“Have you learned anything more about Belle and Melody?” she asked him.
“Only that Belle talked to Dan before she left.” He blew out a breath. “That sister of mine… When she gets something in her head, I guess she’s going to do it. I only wish she’d given me more warning, or at least a forwarding address.”
“I’m sure she’ll send one.”
“Yeah, I know you’re right. Once she settles in.”
Elizabeth watched him with understanding. “I know you’re going to miss her.”
He appeared sad a moment, then replaced his hat.
“Well, like she said, it’s not like she’s gone forever. We’ll be back in touch.”
“I’m sure you will. Your sister and niece love you very much.”
“How do you know that?”
“How could they not?” she asked matter-of-factly.
“Ah, Elizabeth, you’re such a sweetheart.” He surreptitiously glanced out the window, then—seeing no one—gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Dinner later?” he asked in a whisper.
Her face flushed. “Where?”
“Your place.”
“What?”
“That’s how you’re going to repay me for fixing that window,” he said with a wink. “And anything else around here that needs doing.”
To Elizabeth’s surprise, there was way more that needed doing in that old newspaper shop than she imagined. Apart from the window lock being broken, the smoke detector was not just out of batteries, its insides were rusted through. So it had to be replaced completely. As did the dead bolt on the back door that apparently hadn’t worked well in years. While Nathan took care of things there, Elizabeth interviewed Janet first, then headed out to the orchard to speak with Dan and take photos of the fall colors. When she returned hours later, Nathan was still hard at work. He’d removed his uniform shirt, holster, and hat, and crouched by the back door with an electric screwdriver, wearing nothing but an undershirt and his slacks. He turned toward her, and musculature rippled across his back. “Almost done here.”
“I can’t thank you enough.” Elizabeth glanced around at the improvements. “I really didn’t mean to put you out this way.”
He stood, dusting off his trousers. “Should be as good as new.” He tested the dead bolt, which glided easily. “I rekeyed the front door to match it.”
“Wow, Nathan. Thanks so much!”
He picked up a rag and wiped his brow. “Better be one helluva meal.”
“Nothing like putting the pressure on.”
He met her gaze. “No pressure. But I think I’d better go home and change first.”
“That will give me time to stop by the store,” Elizabeth said. “In the mood for anything special?”
His lips crept up in a grin. “Not sure you should ask that of a man who’s half-dressed.”
Her cheeks flamed. “I meant for dinner.”
But he just stared at her in that ultra-sexy way that made her want to tackle him. Tackle him, and goodness knew what next. She was grateful they were having dinner with Claire. That would encourage Elizabeth to keep things under control. But what about when Claire went upstairs to do homework? A memory flashed through her mind of Nathan pinning her against the kitchen counter with hungry kisses, and her temperature spiked again. Elizabeth borrowed Nathan’s rag to dab her own forehead.
“So, you’re leaving the menu to my discretion?”
He studied her with amusement, then slipped back into his shirt.
“Whatever you and Claire would like will be great with me.”
By the time Nathan got to Elizabeth’s house, it was pouring. She let him in, dripping wet on the carpet. “You’re soaked!”
“Maybe I didn’t need to shower after all,” he joked.
Claire appeared in the doorway, her eyes going wide. “Oh gosh,” she told him, “I’ll get a towel.”
Nathan shrugged at Elizabeth. “Sky was clear as a bell until I star
ted driving over.”
“I know. The storm moved in fast!”
Thunder rumbled outside, accentuating that point.
Claire walked over and passed him a towel. “Thanks, hon,” he told her. “Sure appreciate it.”
He dried his hair and wiped off his clothing.
“Are you going to be okay in that?” Elizabeth asked. “I’d offer you a change, but…” She studied his physique and broad shoulders. “I don’t have anything to fit you.”
“I suspect not.” He smiled at both her and Claire. “I’ll be all right. I’ve endured tougher and lived to tell the tale.”
“Have you?” Claire asked with interest. “Like what?”
“Nathan had some harrowing experiences out west.”
“Really?” Claire asked with interest.
“I can tell you about it at dinner if you’d like,” Nathan offered.
“That would be totally cool.”
Elizabeth took Nathan’s wet towel, eying his damp jeans and shirt with concern. “You sure you’re all right?”
“Nothing a little wine won’t fix.” He handed a bottle in her direction.
She hadn’t even seen him set it down on the table by the door when he’d hurried in. But that was Nathan. Always thinking of something. And it was always something nice. She was glad he’d invited himself over. That only saved her the trouble of having to ask him herself.
“Why don’t we go in the kitchen and open it?”
A little while later, the three of them settled down to a comfortable dinner. Elizabeth made a roast chicken with stuffing and Southern green beans. Something homey but simple enough to prepare. Nathan sure seemed to appreciate his dinner. He even had seconds. “I can’t remember chicken tasting this good.” He stood to help clear the plates. “Thank you.”
“Thanks for your help at my office today.”
“And thanks for the stories,” Claire said, carrying her dishes to the sink. “They were great.” She turned to her mom, who was loading the dishwasher. “Did you know all that about him?”
Elizabeth smiled at her girl. “Some of it. The rest was news.”