Terri Reed - A Sheltering Love

The brunette—Lori, was it?—said something mildly amusing and he gave an obligatory smile. She put her hand on his arm, her fingers cool and inviting. He shifted out of her reach but smiled again to soften the rejection to her obvious interest. She was Claire’s friend, after all. “How long have you known Claire?”

Lori sighed, clearly getting his hint. “For a while now.” Her gaze turned speculative. “She’s a hard person to get to know. Lots of walls up.”

Nick raised a brow. He didn’t see walls. He saw lots of open doors that invited trouble. He saw a woman protecting a puppy, protecting kids. “She seems pretty outgoing to me.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong. She’s definitely not the shy and retiring type. She’s very sweet and giving, it’s…” She pursued her lips in thought. “She doesn’t talk much about herself. More concerned about others. Which is something I don’t encounter often in my line of work.”

“And what line of work would that be.”

“I’m a hairdresser. Cheaper than a psychologist and you get nice hair.”

He smirked and glanced at Claire. She looked tired, but her smile came quickly as she talked with the children before moving to where the adults had gathered in the kitchen. Mrs. Wellington had found a mop and was sopping up the waterlogged floor. Claire frowned before she bustled in and herded everyone into the living room. Then she traipsed right back into the kitchen, grabbed some sodas out of the refrigerator and began handing them out.

Not only did she need a protector, she needed a keeper. Someone to carry part of the burden she insisted on taking. He rolled his suddenly tense shoulders.

No way should that person be him.

“Claire, dear. Stop fussing. We should be the ones serving you.” Sandy took the soda cans from Claire’s hands and put them on the counter.

“Thank you.” Claire allowed Sandy to steer her away from the kitchen.

“You need rest. There’s nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow.”

“But I really need to make some calls. Find out how soon someone can come to fix this mess,” Claire protested.

Lori stepped up to flank her on the other side. “I can make your calls for you.”

“That’s sweet of you, Lori. But no.” Claire’s gaze darted between the two well-meaning women. “Really, you two. I can take care of things myself. I prefer it this way.”

Lori shook her head, her brown hair swishing softly. “See. I told you,” she addressed Nick. “Walls.”

Claire’s cheeks flamed. They’d been talking about her?

A soft, affable smile played at the corners of his mouth. His gaze traveled over her face, searched her eyes. She could feel the magnetism that made him so self-assured, so compelling. She blinked and quickly looked away before she succumbed to the pull he had on her.

“Lori, be nice,” Sandy admonished gently, then she turned back to Claire. “What can we do to help you?”

Claire shook her head. “I don’t know. Nothing at the moment, but if I think of something, I’ll let you know.”

Sandy frowned. “You really don’t have to do everything on your own.”

But she did. She couldn’t rely on anyone. Wouldn’t allow herself to. As long as she didn’t have expectations of others, she wouldn’t be disappointed.

Of course, she couldn’t voice that thought, she didn’t want to hurt their feelings. So instead she smiled politely and changed the subject. “How are Allie and Garrett? Will they be coming to visit soon?” Allie and Garrett were the Wellington’s fraternal twins. They’d gone off to college last fall.

Sandy patted her arm with a knowing sigh. “Yes, they will be here this summer. I have an idea. Why don’t you come home with us? You could stay in Allie’s old room.”

Claire dropped her chin. “Oh, no. I couldn’t impose.”

“It wouldn’t be an imposition at all,” Dave said as he stepped to his wife’s side.

“Or you could come to our house,” offered Peggy, as she and Steve joined the circle around Claire.

“That’s sweet, but really…” she trailed off as panic flared. Things were spinning out of her control. Everyone meant well but she didn’t want to need them. Didn’t want to have to rely on anyone for anything.

Bob came around the group and stood beside Nick. The two men were so different.

Bob was good-looking, with his light brown hair and wiry build, in a very boy-next-door kind of way that appealed to some women. Not her, though. He was nice enough and they got along okay. He’d asked her out on several occasions over the years, but friendship was as far as their relationship could go. He just didn’t do it for her.

She preferred Nick’s near-black hair, dark eyes and towering muscular frame. His cool and dangerous demeanor appealed to her, making her pulse race and her brain sound alarms. He was the kind of man she didn’t need in her life.

“You can’t stay here alone.” Bob pinned her with his hazel eyes.

Claire ground her back teeth at his high-handed tone. “I’m not alone. Gwen lives here, too.”

Sandy piped up. “She can come to my house, too.”

“Or she can stay with me,” Lori offered.

Everyone started talking at once. Only Nick remained silent, his black eyes watchful. Her gaze slid away from him as she tried to reason with the people who were intent on arranging her life. She hated when people tried to arrange her life.

“Excuse me, everyone,” Nick’s voice, though low, rose above the chatter, effectively cutting off the noise. “Claire’s been through a rough ordeal today. I’m sure she could use some time and space.”

Surprised by his understanding, Claire’s eyes widened.

“Of course.” Peggy took her hand. “You let us know what we can do to help.”

“I will. I promise.” Claire’s heart squeezed slightly at the woman’s offer of help and friendship.

“Okay, kids, let’s head out,” Steve said as he took the puppy from Matthew and set him on the living room floor. He led his family out of The Zone.

Before they headed to the door, Sandy and Dave elicited a promise from Claire to call if she needed anything. Nick walked out with them.

Claire watched his retreating back with a frown and fought the ridiculous urge to cry. She’d asked him to leave, but she’d thought he’d at least say goodbye. There she went again—expecting something, only to feel hurt and rejected.

Would she ever learn?

Lori leaned in close, her gaze on Nick as well, and whispered, “He’s certainly a prize worth holding on to.”

Claire shook her head, feeling suddenly very tired. “You’re too much the romantic,” she whispered back.

Lori’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “Bob, will you walk me to the shop?”

He looked surprised. “Why?”

“Because I asked you to, you big lug.” Lori rolled her eyes. “Men.” Then to Claire she said, “I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

She held up a hand as Claire opened her mouth to protest. “I know, but I’m coming, anyway.” She wrinkled her straight nose. “It smells ghastly in here.”

“I’ll light some scented candles,” Claire said.

“You shouldn’t stay here,” Bob said, his expression hard, concerned.

She tried for patience. “You sound like a broken record. This is my home. I’m not leaving. Besides, the damage is mainly outside. The water’s only on the first floor and contained in the kitchen. I’ll be fine.”

“You are so stubborn.” Exasperation echoed in his voice.

“Okay, time for us to go,” Lori declared, linking her arm through Bob’s. She gave Claire a meaningful look. “I’ll talk with you later.”

Too weary to argue, Claire nodded. “Fine.”