Debbi Rawlins - Need You Now

He took the mayonnaise from her. “Not good. Stress seems to have a habit of turning the tables one way or another.” He opened the jar and set it aside.

“What do you do?” She busied herself with pulling napkins and silverware out of the bag. “You have to travel and meet new people, lobby for their help. It might be rewarding but I can’t imagine it’s fun.”

“No, most times it isn’t. As a rule people don’t care about prisoners. They figure inmates are getting what they deserve.”

“I can understand the bias. Do folks ever worry about the safety of the horses?”

“I’ve been asked that more than a few times.” He noticed the small frown forming between her brows. “Is that your concern?”

“No, not at all. I mean, of course I know everyone in prison claims they’re innocent,” she said with a small dismissive shrug. “But no, I’m not worried.”

He smiled despite the twist in his gut. “Some prisoners actually are innocent.”

Too bad he hadn’t been one of them.

4

AFTER THEY’D EATEN and the leftovers had been stowed, Melanie glanced at her watch. Lucas had explained more about the Wild Horse Training Program, and so far she saw no reason why Safe Haven couldn’t participate. All PRN wanted to do was use the sanctuary as a stopgap between the gathers and moving the horses to the various prisons. It wouldn’t cost Safe Haven anything. Food, transportation, even manpower would be completely covered. Not only that, but PRN might be interested in taking some of the strays Melanie had been unable to adopt out. Naturally, she had to lay out everything for Shea so they could make the decision together, but Prison Reform Now seemed to be very well funded.

What did concern her was the time. Another hour and it would start getting dark, though Lucas didn’t seem to be worried.

She watched him straighten the wool blanket, then sit down again so that he faced the orange glow of the sun sinking behind the Rockies. What she’d expected him to do was roll up the blanket and stuff it into the saddlebag along with their sack of trash.

Her gaze fell on his rounded biceps, then followed the cords of muscle to his wrist. He didn’t wear a watch. And though she knew he carried a cell phone, he hadn’t brought it out once. If he wasn’t anxious to get on the road, then why should she care?

No denying she was enjoying herself. The fresh air was nice and the quiet soothing. Working at Safe Haven was rewarding but seldom relaxing. Between grading papers and doing the shopping and cooking for two elderly church members, Melanie rarely had a moment for herself.

Of course, rounding out her enjoyment was Lucas, and that distant enigmatic expression of his. She’d seen it twice now, and goodness, it wasn’t easy keeping the naughty fantasies at bay. She refused to guess at his dark thoughts or imagine him as a teenager. He would’ve been one of those brooding guys the girls whispered about to their friends and dreamed about at night. The type of guy who’d always been and would always be out of reach for a quiet, sensible woman like her.

She realized she’d sighed out loud when he looked up and caught her staring at him. Quickly she cleared her throat. “We should go. We don’t have much daylight left,” she said, feeling even more awkward standing next to Candy Cane and peering down at him as if he were one of her pupils.

A lazy smile curved his mouth. He arched back, stretching out his arms, then pushed to his feet with the agility of a teenager. “You’re right. I’ve monopolized enough of your time.”

“No, it’s not that—I assumed you’d want to get on the road before nightfall.”

“I’m not leaving yet,” he said and scooped up the blanket. “I figured I’d spend a few days here.”

“Oh.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No.” She nodded. “Maybe.”

“Which is it?” The corners of his mouth twitched, which she saw quite clearly since he’d sidled up next to her. “Give me a hint.”

“Okay, smarty.” Inwardly cringing at using the silly word, she resisted the urge to move over. “Did you drive through town?”

“Yes,” he said, “and judging by your smug expression, I assume I missed something.”

It wasn’t easy being this close and feeling the heat from his body. Part of her wanted to lean into him; the other part was already yanking her shirt backward. “Did you see any motels?”

He kept looking at her, his right brow lifting. “A place called the Boarding House.”

“It’s not a motel. It really was a boardinghouse about ninety years ago.”

Lucas frowned. “There were cars parked out front.”

“Someone just bought the place and is making it an inn.” She tried to look innocent. “I doubt it’ll be finished by tonight.”

He let out a laugh. “I underestimated you.”

“I’m sorry—I shouldn’t be teasing.”

“So there’s really no lodging in Blackfoot Falls?”

“None.”

“The closest place to get a room would be—where? Kalispell?”

“That’s right,” she said, not feeling the least triumphant. She wanted him to stay longer. “There is one other possibility,” she said slowly, trying to think it through.

She could call Rachel at the Sundance. The dude ranch was usually booked months in advance but there was a chance they could somehow make room for Lucas. She’d ask as a personal favor if she had to. Or was she being foolish?

“Melanie?”

She met his expectant gaze.

He waited and after a few moments said, “If you’re offering me your guest room—”

Her gasp interrupted him. “Me? No, I don’t have— I mean, I do have a spare room, but I live in town. I have neighbors.” She felt the heat sting her cheeks and there was nothing she could do about it. “Very nosy neighbors, and it’s not that I care about what they say. It’s just— Well, no, I do care but—”

“Melanie.” He touched her arm to stop her rambling.

After taking a deep breath, she managed a smile. It felt brittle and fake. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”

His hand moved to her face. Her burning-hot face. Just in case he needed proof of her embarrassment.

Oh, Lord.

“Don’t be sorry,” he murmured. “I was teasing you, and it was inappropriate. And even if you offered, I wouldn’t take you up on it.”

Her humiliation sank to another low. “No, of course not. We just met. Why would you?”

Lucas looked as if he was trying to control a smile. “Having just met you doesn’t bother me. Small town, you being a teacher. No matter how innocent the situation, I know it would be bad for you. I wouldn’t want that.”

She searched his eyes, unsure what she was looking for, and he eventually lowered his hand. It wasn’t relief she felt but disappointment. Dammit, she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to kiss him. She knew it would mean nothing to him, if he even responded, and she didn’t care.

He turned away to deal with the blanket, struggling to roll up the bulky wool, and she started to lose her nerve. And then it occurred to her that she’d never initiated a kiss. Not once. Ever. She’d been willing plenty of times when a date had taken the lead. But here she was, twenty-seven, two semi-long-term college relationships behind her, and she’d never kissed a boy first. Wow, that was kind of sad.

“Lucas?”

He looked over and automatically smiled.

Swallowing back a lump of nerves, she moved closer. “Need help?”

“Sure.” He’d brought two corners together. “Take this end.”

Melanie obliged, gripping the blanket, spreading her arms wide and moving backward while he scooped up the lower corners. If he’d guessed at her cowardly gear switching, he didn’t let on. She hadn’t given up on the kiss yet. Just looking for a more organic way to swoop in.