By Friday, Lanie had joined a committee to oppose construction of the highway. Her initial assignment, distributing the group’s fliers, should be simple enough, she reasoned. All she had to do was ask Violet to tuck one into each shopper’s bag.
As for Reece, ever since Lanie had mentioned fighting the proposed highway, his demeanor had been businesslike and remote. She tapped her pencil against the computer on her desk. Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything to him about her efforts.
Touching a finger to her lip, she recalled the gentleness with which he’d touched her and the concern that had been evident in his soul-searching eyes. She recalled the way he’d smiled as he joked with her.
Then, just when she was beginning to think he had a personality, he had turned into Mr. Businessman.
Reece’s deep voice came to her from outside the office. “Mom, where’ve you been the past couple of days? We’ve missed you.”
“Why? Does Elaine need my help?”
Reece hesitated and cleared his throat. “No, she’s doing fine.” Lanie breathed a sigh of relief. “Next week I’ll take her with me on some deliveries.”
Lanie looked at the stacks of forms on her desk and wondered how he could consider having her gallivant around the countryside with all these papers still a mess.
Besides, she had no desire to share the close confines of a pickup truck cab with her stone-faced boss.
Or worse, what if a drive in the country put him in a good mood, and he turned on the charm she’d glimpsed Tuesday? She wouldn’t be able to deal with it.
Lanie grew annoyed with herself for having eavesdropped on their conversation in the first place. She went to the filing cabinet and started arranging the vaccine order forms in their rightful places.
Even so, Dot’s voice drifted to her above the rattling of papers.
“Oh, honey, I’ve been having the best time. It’s amazing how a person can live in one area for sixty years and never visit the local museums and historical sites.” Her soft voice fairly bubbled with excitement. “My friend and I have been setting out to rectify the situation.”
Reece’s laugh was one of amusement. “Great. I’m glad you’re having a good time. While you’re in town, why don’t you pick up a party dress for the Bliss Banquet? And let me know what color it is so I can buy you a corsage to match.”
There was a brief silence.
When Dot spoke, her words were calculated. “Thank you, honey, but that won’t be necessary. I already have someone to accompany me.”
Reece’s voice was soft, almost wounded. “You didn’t have to find an escort. I’d have been honored to take you again.”
Again, Dot seemed to struggle for just the right words. “That’s very sweet, but Walter isn’t an escort. He’s my date.”
The quiet that followed magnified every click of Lanie’s heels as she crossed the room to retrieve the seed catalog. She debated whether to close the door to help shut out their conversation. No, she decided, that might seem too obvious.
“I see.” Lanie could tell by his tone that he didn’t.
“If you need a date, dear, why don’t you ask Elaine?”
Lanie somersaulted the catalog across her desk. On impact, the phone skidded over the edge and clanged to the floor.
Great, she thought, Zany Lanie strikes again. She stooped to pick up the phone and was reeling in the receiver when two pairs of shoes appeared in the office.
“Elaine, dear, are you okay?”
“Y-yes, ma’am, just a bit klutzy today.” She stood and set the phone back in its rightful place on her desk.
“What’s today got to do with it?” Reece glared at her. Lanie glared back.
Dot laid a hand on her son’s arm. “Now, Maurice, you promised you’d be nice to Elaine.” Dot hitched her purse strap up on her shoulder and sidled toward the door. “You have something to ask Elaine, so I’ll make myself scarce. Bye!”
Dot closed the door behind her, leaving Lanie to deal with Reece and his scowl. She could tell he wasn’t looking forward to asking her to accompany him to the banquet. Well, that made two of them! She had to let him off the hook.
“Look, you don’t have to—”
“You’re damn right I don’t have to. What I do want to ask you is to put some shoes on your horse if you insist on bringing her here.”
“Huh?”
“Every day your horse gets the rips and starts chasing my cat through the store. This morning she lost her footing and crashed into one of the display bins.” He reached past her for the old-fashioned Rolodex and flipped to the listings for Bliss County.
The nearness of him was intoxicating. If there’d been room, Lanie would have retreated. This was one of those times when she was overwhelmed by his forcefulness. With his elbow mere inches from her own, she hoped he wouldn’t notice her losing battle with her emotions.
Part of her was relieved that he hadn’t asked her to the banquet. Part was miffed that he’d been so short with her. But mostly she was hurt that he didn’t want her to go with him, that he chose instead to chastise her for her horse’s behavior. She wondered if he’d make her pay for the damaged bin.
It’s just as well, she soothed herself. We’re as different as night and day. Silly and sober. Goofy and grumpy. Impetuous and intractable.
He handed her the phone book, and their hands touched briefly. Lanie had never before been so aware of an accidental touch. Unreasonably, she wished it had been intentional.
She looked up at Reece and saw that the angry glare was gone. From this close range, she studied the tiny untanned creases that gathered at the outer edges of his eyes.
Reece pointed to the name he’d circled. “This guy is the best farrier in Bliss. Rubber shoes will keep Winnie from slipping on the tile floor.”
“Thanks. I’ll give him a call.”
Reece stayed where he was, looking for all the world like there was something else he wanted to say. He absentmindedly scratched his flat stomach, and Lanie wished he hadn’t drawn her attention to the superb fit of his cotton shirt.
Even though he wore shorts every day, his athletic-fit shirt always emphasized his narrow waist. Lanie forced her eyes away from his midsection, fearing her imagination might head to other parts of his anatomy.
“There is one other thing I need to ask you,” he ventured. Panic filled Lanie’s chest, squeezing her lungs until she could hardly breathe. He was going to ask her to the banquet after all! Her conflicting feelings confused her. How should she answer him?
“Yes.” Her breath came out in a gush.
Reece reached into his front shorts pocket. So much for reining in her imagination. He extracted a crumpled piece of paper that gave no hint of an attempt to fold it. He smoothed it out and handed it to her.
“About this flier of yours urging ‘all interested persons’ to attend next week’s Board of Supervisors meeting.” He was smiling, but Lanie detected a muscle twitching in his jaw. “I’d be most happy to accept your kind invitation.”
Lanie didn’t like the dangerous gentleness of his tone.
“And while we’re on the subject, next time you want to distribute letters to our customers … don’t.”
“What’s the matter, Reece, afraid I might convince your farmer friends that the highway is not in their best interest?”
Reece snorted as he turned around and reached for the doorknob. “The farmers don’t need an outsider to tell them what’s in their best interest.”
“Maybe that’s what you think, but there are plenty others who share my views. I’ll spend every spare minute this weekend distributing fliers and drumming up supporters. Don’t be surprised if this highway lunacy is defeated next week.”
Reece paused half in and half out of the door. “Gee,” he said, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, “and I would have thought that a woman as pretty as you would have much better ways to spend her weekends.”
He closed the door behind him as he exited. A second later, it opened again, and Reece stuck his head in.
“By the way, your horoscope this morning said not to underestimate a powerful opponent.”
Lanie stared after him. When had he started reading her horoscope?
Lanie pushed an annoying strand of hair behind her ear and pried at the stained rubber applique adorning the bottom of the bathtub. “Powerful opponent, indeed,” she muttered as she thought of Reece’s comment earlier that day. “I’ll bet he’s not half as powerful as the glue on the bottom of this.”
After taking Winnie to get fitted for shoes and making a trip to the local merchants to post her fliers, she’d decided to attack the mildew in the tiny bathroom.
By the time she finished, the old tub almost shone. Lanie was feeling smug with success when she heard a knock at the back door.
She entered the kitchen and found Reece peering in at her through the glass portion of the door. Wondering what was important enough to bring him to her house, Lanie reached for the knob.
“Hello, neighbor,” she said as he wiped his feet on the mat and stepped inside.
Reece flashed an embarrassed grin and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “You got any iced tea? It’s as hot as blazes outside.”
Didn’t he have iced tea at home? Never mind, she’d be hospitable. “Sure,” she said and opened the refrigerator. “Do you want lemon?”
“No thanks, just sugar.” Reece paced the kitchen while she got a glass and poured the tea. “The place looks nice. You’ve even got stuff on the walls already.” He reached up and toyed with the decorative kitchen witch that dangled over the sink.
“Thanks. If my house is disorganized, my mind feels cluttered. So I try not to take any chances.” She handed him the glass and watched him take a swallow of the cool liquid. “Won’t you come sit down?” she asked, gesturing toward the living room. “Excluding Dot, you’re my first visitor.”
Their bodies collided in the doorway. Lanie jerked away from the pleasant feel of his hard-muscled arm.
The last time they’d accidentally touched, the memory of it had distracted her from her work. Better to avoid it in the first place and save herself some agony. “I, uh, forgot how small this house is. You go first.”
Lanie followed him into the living room and plunked down in the chair that sat catty-corner to his. She tried not to wince when the backs of her splintery legs touched the rough upholstery fabric.
“My house is just like this one, only in reverse.”
Lanie wondered why, as part owner of such a successful store, he didn’t own a bigger house.
Reece downed the rest of his tea and continued. “Both were built as housing for my great-great-grandfather’s grown children, so they’d help him work the farm. After my father lost money several years in a row, he sold off some of the land and this house and opened the feed store.” He traced a pattern in the moisture on the glass. “When I graduated from college, I bought the one next door, partly to keep it in the family and partly to stay close to my parents in case they needed me.”
Lanie leaned back in her chair and propped her bare feet on the coffee table. Ah, much better!
Winnie trotted into the room and jumped onto the sofa beside Reece. The little horse butted him in the chest in an attempt to get him to play with her.
“You ought to break her of this,” said Reece. “When she grows up, she could hurt somebody.” He rubbed her chin anyway.
“I’m told she’ll weigh less than two hundred pounds when she’s fully grown,” Lanie defended. “Besides, she’s gentle with children. She seems to know they’re more fragile than adults.”
“Yeah, I’ve been meaning to say something about that.” So now the reason for this unexpected visit was coming out.
“The feed store has been overrun with kids these past few days.”
“Word must have gotten out about Winnie. She seems to have that effect on people.”
“Yeah, well, they’re driving me crazy.”
“Violet tells me sales are up this week. Maybe you should beef up your pet center with toys and a bigger variety of food. And you could even sell some horse books and plastic toy horses as souvenirs for the kids. Might as well take advantage of a good thing.”
Reece rubbed the stubble along his jaw. “You’ve got a good point there. Would you see that those items are ordered on Monday?”
“Sure.”
He allowed Winnie to lie on his lap. He idly patted her fuzzy ribs. “There’s one other thing. Do you have a pair of binoculars I can borrow?”
The binoculars from her dad’s fishing boat—where had she put them? Oh, yes, the closet. “Sure do. I’ll get them for you.” She rose and rubbed the smarting skin on the back of her legs. In a minute she was back with the binoculars.
“Thanks,” said Reece as he accepted them. He flashed her an awkward smile. “I, uh, have been noticing a strange car at my mother’s house. Just thought I’d keep an eye on her.”
“Spying, huh?” Lanie walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain. “With that kind of attitude, you’ll never make friends with Walter.”
Even with the air conditioner running, his face turned red-hot. He shook the binoculars at her. “With all the weirdos running around these days, you can never be too cautious.”
Lanie knew better than to push the subject, but she couldn’t help asking, “Don’t you think it’d be easier to check him out from up close than by spying on him from across the street?” She touched her forehead. “I know! You could invite them both over for dinner!”
Reece eased Winnie off his lap. Standing, he handed Lanie the binoculars. “Fine. When do you want us?”
Lanie almost dropped the glasses. “B-but, I meant…” How did she get herself into these messes?
“I like almost anything but casseroles. If you want me to bring something, just let me know.”
“Uh, gee, thanks.”
“No, thank you.”
“Excuse me, but I think I need a cold drink. Do you want a refill?” He didn’t, so she went to the kitchen to get the tea and gather her wits. What she needed was the stronger, Northern version of this beverage … a Long Island Iced Tea.
When she returned, he stared fixedly at her. “You didn’t get all those splinters out, did you?”
“I’ve been busy.”
“That fence is made out of salt-treated wood. If you don’t get the splinters out soon, you’ll get a bad infection.”
He seemed more angry than concerned, but Lanie refused to let him rattle her nerves. “Too late; they’re already infected. But don’t worry, I’ve been taking hot baths to try to soak them out.”
The sound that came out of Reece was clearly exasperation. He brushed past her and headed for the bathroom. Rather than close the door, he started rummaging through the medicine cabinet. “Where are your tweezers?”
“It’s no use. I’ve already tried that.”
“But I haven’t.” He found a package of cotton balls and a bottle of peroxide and set them on the toilet lid.
“Look, you don’t need to—”
“The tweezers. Where are they?” By now he was piling things in her sink.
She squeezed into the bathroom and gently pushed him aside. She wished she could touch him without noticing the crispness of the dark hairs on his arms and the sinewy strength of his muscles. “I had all this stuff in order, and now you’re messing it up,” she griped. “Here are the damn tweezers—pardon me.”
For some reason, Reece seemed to think that was funny. He tucked the peroxide and cotton balls under one arm and took her by the elbow. When she realized he was heading toward her bedroom, she dug her heels in. “You’re not getting any strange ideas, are you?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Maybe I should call Dot and ask her to do it.”
“I’ve vaccinated cattle and gelded horses. Trust me, I can pull a couple of splinters out of your butt.”
He switched on the overhead light, and mounds of ruffles and lace greeted them. Reece looked slowly around the room.
“You like pink, don’t you?”
“It’s mauve.”
“It figures.”
“Daddy called me his ‘rose among the thorns.’ The curtains and bedspread were his sweet-sixteen gift to me. He liked for me to have girlish things.” Even at sixteen, she’d thought the flowing folds of fabric were a bit much, but it irked her to think that Reece was mocking her father’s gift.
He went to the nightstand and switched on the lamp. “Might as well get this over with.” Reece turned to her and held the tweezers like claws. “Drop your drawers.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but the splinters are in my thighs. The shorts stay on.”
An exaggerated look of disappointment crossed his handsome face and was quickly replaced by a teasing grin. Lanie couldn’t help returning a smile. “You’re not supposed to be enjoying this.” She sprawled facedown on the bed and reached into the nightstand drawer for a flashlight. “Here, you might need this.”
Reece knelt at the side of the bed. “I’ll try to be quick about it,” he said, his voice now as gentle and somber as a physician’s.
Lanie pressed her face into the pillow and tried to block out the feel of his callused fingers against her smarting thighs. He sponged peroxide over the stinging wounds. When he rested an elbow familiarly on her bottom, she felt a burning sensation in the pit of her stomach.
He’s not your type. He’s not your type. Lanie mentally chanted the words. He’d make somebody a good husband one day, but it wouldn’t be her. Couldn’t be her.
And he’d be a good father, too. He was strong, yet gentle. He’d make a wonderful role model for a son. She gritted her teeth. Unfortunately, good mothers were not made from people with nicknames like Zany Lanie.
Reece swore softly. Lanie moved the pillow over her head to blot out the male huskiness of his voice.
“What’s the matter—that hurt?”
“Mmrrmph.”
“Hold on a minute. I can’t get at the seat of the problem from this angle.” In the next moment he was straddling her backward. He must have slipped his shoes off, for now his toes lightly grazed the sides of her breasts.
Lanie inhaled suddenly and got a noseful of pillowcase. She tried to throw the pillow off her head, but Reece was firmly planted in the middle of her back. A claustrophobic panic took over, and she moved to get up. Something sharp pricked her thigh.
“Ow!”
“What the—”
“Get off me, you big oaf.”
He rolled off and lay on the bed beside her. One end of the pillow came up. Lanie was surprised to find him looking in at her, his face only inches from hers. Her breath came in fast pants. She yanked the pillow off her head and sat up.
“You were suffocating me!”
Reece remained where he was, leaning on one elbow and looking a lot like he should be posing for an underwear commercial. “You were the one who put the pillow over your head.”
“I was trying to block out y—the pain. That’s it, the pain.”
Reece looked doubtful.
“What were you doing on my back?”
He appeared amused. “Trying to get a grip on things. Did you like it?”
“Of course not,” she lied.
“Why? Would you rather be on top?” Reece flopped over on his back and held out his arms in invitation.
Lanie folded her arms across her chest. She was drawn to him, there was no denying it.
There was nothing she would have liked more than lying in his arms, surrendering to his caresses. But she felt, more than thought, that a physical relationship with Reece was doomed just as much as an emotional one. There was no way she could simply go to bed with him and not get emotionally involved. She sat back on her heels, putting a little extra distance between them.
Then, plastering on a broad smile for bravado, she said, “Forget it. I’ll wear these splinters until I get blood poisoning. Then you’ll have my backside on your conscience.”
“It’s already on my mind, so what’s the difference?” Reece tucked his hands behind his head and allowed his eyes to roam over her.
Why the hell was he acting this way? Maybe it was just to watch her blush, he reasoned. Her fair skin glowed a becoming shade of pink in contrast to her dark hair.
No, it was more than that. For the past three years, he’d been in strict control of his life, even to the point of avoiding casual dates. Why risk upsetting the rigid life he’d made for himself?
When his father had first started showing signs of senility, Reece had become the model of reliability. By now, it had become out of character for him to joke around and tease an employee, especially one as feminine and beautiful as Lanie.
But even if there was room for a woman in his five-year plan, Lanie wouldn’t be the one. Maybe in a few years, when he could devote more time to a relationship, he’d settle down with a nice, stable woman, one who’d offer no surprises.
So why did he find himself lying in Lanie’s bed, inviting her into his arms, and so much as confessing that he’d noticed the wiggle in her walk? He had no idea, and he quickly became annoyed with himself for letting her bother him.
“Well, don’t just sit there, let’s finish getting those splinters out,” he said more brusquely than he’d intended. At her hurt expression, he immediately regretted being so sharp with her. It wasn’t her fault he was feeling this unwanted attraction. She hadn’t come on to him; in fact, he had been seducing her.
He knelt beside her on the bed. His voice gentler than before, he said, “There are just two or three more splinters. I should have them out in a minute.” He held up one hand in a Boy Scout salute. “No monkey business. Scout’s honor.”
“All right, but if your fingers stray so much as one inch from my splinters, I’m reporting you to the Labor Board.”
Lanie moved to her side and ground her teeth in frustration. Was the man schizophrenic? Both times he’d allowed her to glimpse his lighter side, but afterward, he’d immediately turned solemn and unapproachable.
Well, two could play this game. She resolved once again to maintain a businesslike demeanor with him. She’d have to fight her impulsive nature every step of the way, but she was determined not to become vulnerable to his charm again.
True to his word, Reece removed the remaining wood fragments in a matter of only a minute or two. When he was finished, he quickly dabbed her wounds with the foaming medicine. The action was so brief and perfunctory Lanie barely noticed what he’d done.
A moment later, he picked up the first-aid items and walked around to her side of the bed, and offered his free hand, but she ignored it.
“Thanks,” she said and headed for the door before he could become charming and friendly—and appealing—again.
She glanced at him as he accompanied her back to the bathroom to return the stuff to the medicine chest. Even when he turned the charm and friendliness off like a switch, the appeal was still there.
Maybe, she rationalized as they walked to the living room, Reece would be the perfect subject on which to practice being cautious. If she could pass that test, she knew, she’d be a changed woman.
He was picking up his tea glass, but Lanie stopped him.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll get it later.” She stood facing him, her hands clasped primly behind her back. “Thank you for your help. I feel better already.”
“My pleasure,” said Reece. Then he grinned. “Sorry I stabbed you with the tweezers.”
Oh, no, thought Lanie. He’s doing it again. He’s turning into Mr. Wonderful.
The heavy-lidded look he gave her belonged in the bedroom. How was she supposed to keep that promise she’d made to herself when he was standing within touching distance in glorious tan-and-muscle 3-D? She could feel her resolve weakening.
It crumpled a second later when he reached up to move a wayward strand of her hair to its rightful place. When his hands touched her shoulders, she reflexively reached up as if to ward him off. Her grip settled on his wrists.
Instead of pushing him away, her fingers lay lightly on his forearms, and his big hands caressed her shoulders. Her mouth suddenly dry, and Lanie licked her lips. She heard loud breathing, but she wasn’t sure whether it was Reece’s or her own.
She gazed up into his warm brown eyes, their gentleness reminding her of tame deer she’d seen in the nature center in nearby Richmond’s Maymont Park.
However, this was no tame deer, she realized. Reece was more like a wild stag—strong, with a hint of underlying danger. The distance between them slowly closed as Reece lowered his head to her. His words, barely a whisper, broke the thick silence that had settled around them.
“I suppose,” he said, his gaze intent upon her lips, “it would be improper for an employer to kiss his office manager.”
“Yes,” said Lanie, her eyes traveling to the firm softness of his mouth, “and it would be improper for the office manager to kiss him back.”
Everything around them seemed to evaporate when he kissed her. There was no time, no place, no broken vow … nothing but the moist warmth of his mouth on hers.
The heat traveled through her entire body, and Lanie was barely aware when her hands slid along his arms and down to his trim waist. In her daze, she welcomed the crushing presence of his solid chest against her breasts as he took her closer into the circle of his arms.
He tasted sweet, like sugared tea. His lips tickled where they whisked her face as he dropped little kisses across her cheek and nuzzled the tender spot below her ear. As in a dance with no steps, they improvised, making up the movements in time to a rapidly increasing tempo.
The imaginary music crescendoed and gave way to a gently wafting melody that seemed to linger between them even as they stepped apart.
Her mind cloudy with desire, Lanie could do no more than stare back at the brown eyes that gleamed like dark chocolate.
Bittersweet chocolate.