by LuAnn McLane
“Sure.” Cat nodded, but she wasn’t about to call him.
He hesitated and then said, “It wasn’t my intention to insult you. I’m really not like that.”
“And it isn’t in my nature to be so stubborn.”
“Really?”
“Maybe a teensy bit.” She held up her finger and thumb to demonstrate.
His slight grin and the appearance of the damn dimples got to her in ways she couldn’t begin to understand. Cat pressed her lips together, suddenly feeling oddly vulnerable, needing a hug so badly that she took a quick step backward and knocked the suitcase over. When it landed with a loud thud, she yelped and then felt super-silly yet again. Cat closed her eyes and sighed. “Look, it’s all good,” she assured him, but when she attempted a smile, to her horror, it wobbled a bit. She hoped he didn’t notice. “It’s just been a long day.” She faked a yawn. And a long year.
Jeff’s expression softened even more, and when he stepped forward, Cat thought for a heart-pounding second that he was going to give her the hug she so sorely needed. But he moved past her and righted the suitcase. Cat swallowed hard and tamped down her disappointment.
“Can I help you get the suitcase or anything else inside?” he asked.
“No, I can manage. Well, from here, anyway. My clumsiness knows no bounds.”
“You don’t look clumsy.”
“Trust me, I can trip over my own shadow. But I’ve got this from here.”
He looked as if were about to protest but then nodded. “Welcome to Cricket Creek, Cat.”
“Thank you, Jeff,” Cat said, and watched him walk away. She inhaled a deep breath. “Well, that was an interesting little welcome wagon,” she whispered, and then reached inside the packet to retrieve her keys and open the door to her new life.