Hearts In Bloom. Mae Nunn

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СКАЧАТЬ Frasier chose to be quiet. A frisky squirrel could change that in a flash.

      As they edged toward the corner, shoes crunched on the nearby pavement. Jerking the white pup to a halt, she held her breath and waited. Quick footsteps closed in. In a last-ditch effort at hair maintenance she ran jittery fingers through the tangles.

      “Jessica, dahhhlin’, good morning.”

      “Oh.” Jessica dropped all pretense of feminine vanity. “It’s only you, Valentine.”

      The older woman’s face spread into a knowing smile. “I see your handsome new neighbor just pulled up.”

      “Yes, and I’m glad it was just you who caught me like this.”

      Valentine regarded Jessica. “Now that you mention it, you’re not exactly at your best.”

      “Well, it’s early and you’re the only woman I know who can look great at this hour of the morning.”

      Valentine patted her platinum hair lightly and smoothed the collar of a powder-blue silk jacket. “A girl must have her priorities straight.” She lowered her voice discreetly. “You know, Captain Keegan is the son of Senator Marcus Keegan of Virginia.”

      “The Marcus Keegan? The guy who led the impeachment hearings?”

      “One and the same.”

      “Okay, I can take a hint,” Jessica conceded with a sigh. She glanced around nervously, hoping for a quick getaway.

      Valentine noted her friend’s agitation. “I’ve got an early appointment with a client, so I have to run. I just wanted to make sure Captain Keegan had the right security code.”

      Jessica gave a quick peck to the artfully made-up cheek. “See you later.”

      Resuming her purposeful walk, Valentine jingled her keys excitedly and set off to meet the client who would undoubtedly be signing a contract.

      Jessica stood rooted to the same spot, unable to decide which way to go. She gripped the blue leash tightly and peeked around the corner. The tall man bent from the waist and reached for something behind the seat of the truck. She seized her chance, punched in the security code and flung open the door. Balancing on her good leg, she jammed her cane in the opening so the door wouldn’t close before she and the dog scooted inside.

      Frasier stretched his tether to its fullest to investigate a beetle that had found its way into the marble vestibule.

      “Come on, buddy,” she whispered. “This is no time to get friendly with a stinkbug.”

      Another quick tug on the nylon cord and she had his full attention. He trotted forward. As she moved the cane, he suddenly dashed through the doorway at full speed. She released her grip, the only alternative to tumbling in after him. She turned in the direction of his excited barking, mortified.

      It was him. Right there in the hallway. Not at the truck.

      He stooped to greet her pet. Annoyance grew as the little mutt lavished the guy with kisses normally reserved for the person who filled the dog’s supper bowl.

      Drew smiled down the length of the corridor.

      What could she do but pretend the entrance was timed perfectly? She squared her shoulders beneath yesterday’s work shirt and turned her unwashed face straight in his direction. She made her way down the hall, leaning heavily on the cane to relieve the mild ache that generally accompanied the morning’s walk.

      “Moving day, huh?” she asked casually.

      “Yes. I didn’t think I’d get in this fast, but Ms. Chandler was great about pushing everything through for me.”

      Jessica nonchalantly folded her arms across her chest and leaned casually against the wall.

      “Once Valentine makes up her mind she’s found a good match for one of her properties, there’s precious little that stands between her and a closing.”

      “She’s an unusual woman, isn’t she?” he asked.

      “She’s definitely in a class by herself.”

      “Um-hmm,” he agreed with a smile.

      Jessica’s chest tingled at the sight of boyish dimples, and she dropped her eyes rather than return the smile. He was more casual today, dressed for the move in sneakers and creased denims. The neatly tucked racing T-shirt showed signs of having been properly folded right out of the dryer.

      Their eyes met again. His kind smile threw her off balance. Literally. Her shoulder began to slide backward, down the wall. Her weight had been on her recovering leg and she didn’t dare kick out with her other foot to counter the backward movement of her torso.

      Instinctively both arms cast out, hands grasping at the air in front of her. With eyes squeezed shut, she waited for the pain sure to accompany a fall. Instead she felt an iron grip on her wrists, and then her face crushed against a rock-solid surface. Warm muscular arms enfolded her.

      Drew had moved so quickly she hadn’t heard a sound, just felt the security of being rescued. She held her breath, aware of a faint thumping, a light drumming. As she prepared to push away from the heartbeat and circle of protection, the security door creaked behind them.

      “Well, I’m glad to know you’re already getting a little Southern hospitality.”

      Jessica looked in the direction of the newcomer and then into the eyes of the man who held her in an awkward embrace.

      She flushed with embarrassment.

      Drew released her, but kept a secure grip on one arm as she leaned for her cane.

      “Jessica, this is my business partner, Hank Delgado. Hank, this is my new neighbor, Jessica Holliday.”

      She offered the tall, silver-haired man what was surely a weak smile and ran a shaky hand through her hopeless mane.

      “Hi, pleased to meet you.” They shook hands over Frasier’s excited effort to sniff up another stranger. “Your partner here just saved me from hitting the floor like a deflated volleyball.” She nodded with gratitude at Drew as she spoke, silently vowing never to leave her front door again without makeup and clean clothes.

      “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I think I’ll see if my coffee is ready.”

      “Coffee sounds great. I take mine black.” The older man spoke up.

      “Well, sure.” She turned to Drew. “And you?” she asked reluctantly.

      What could she possibly do but be gracious after he’d literally caught her in his arms? Becky Jo would hoot over this.

      “Nothing for either of us.” Drew eyed his partner pointedly, acknowledging they hadn’t been offered any coffee. “But thanks.”

      “Oh, go ahead and get us both a cup. I’ll just haul another load of your stuff out of the truck. Take your time, son.”

      “I don’t mind.” She relented.

      “If СКАЧАТЬ