Steadfast Soldier. Cheryl Wyatt

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СКАЧАТЬ just where did she think she’d go in the rain? Ugh! His Handsomeness had the common sense section of her brain twisted like a bread twist tie.

      “I was thinking about your caustic expression when you saw the books on my table. Now I know why.” He smiled gently.

      She laughed. “I guess I overreacted. But now you know I have an aversion to preachers of any sort.”

      His face cringed. “Wow, that doesn’t bode well for me then.” He leaned against his seat and pulled his arm back to his body, pausing midway to pinch her shoulder in a friendly, innocent nip. “We’d love to have you in Refuge. It would be good for you and your mom. So where does she live?” Rain pellets drove themselves into the windshield, surrounding them with pounding white noise. Chloe suddenly felt uncomfortable at the thought of how much she’d shared so soon with a virtual stranger.

      Yet Chance didn’t feel like one. He felt familiar. Like they were meant to meet and be friends.

      “The street doesn’t show up on there,” she said when Chance eyed her GPS.

      “Most in Refuge don’t. That’s partly because there’s an unmapped military base nearby. Plus, Refuge is a small town. What’s the address?”

      “Two-twelve Haven Street.”

      His face lit. “That’s down the street from my buddy’s house. Manny and his wife, Celia. They live on Haven. Well, follow me.” He jumped from her SUV and ran back to his vehicle.

      Chance had hardly said ten words to her when she had visited his dad. But she’d just caught a glimpse of Chance unguarded.

      “And, buddy, unfortunately I like what I see a tad too much. Keep me in line, okay?” Chloe told Midnight as the dog nudged her hand with his nose, then yelped when thunder rumbled. The dog was terrified of lightning too. She needed to get him inside or he’d end up in her lap and impede her windshield view.

      Chloe pulled away from the curb as Chance passed her. Thankfully, he drove slowly. His brake lights became Chloe’s compass. They beamed through the storm like two tiny red lighthouses. She followed his taillights in full trust.

      Eventually Mom’s house came into view. Chloe pulled into the driveway and waved Chance on, signaling he could go. Surely a man like that had somewhere important to be. She hated to detain him; he’d been so kind to get her home.

      But he parked his Jeep and rushed from it toward her…with a parachute-shaped umbrella!

      She opened her door. “Oh, Chance, you’re getting drenched! Why didn’t you pull that umbrella out before?”

      “Because you were in the car before.”

      How sweet! “This isn’t necess—”

      But his adorably crooked grin melted the end of her sentence. She grabbed Midnight’s leash and tried to lead him from the car.

      He wouldn’t budge. “Come on, boy!”

      Chance held the umbrella over her and became totally soaked.

      “What’s wrong with him?” He nodded to the dog. Concern crossed Chance’s face as Midnight’s whines and trembling escalated.

      “He has a serious phobia of storms. He normally leaps in my lap at the first clap of thunder or flash of lightning.” Chloe tugged on the leash but Midnight eyed the formidable sky, then flopped to his belly in the seat.

      The dog wasn’t going anywhere unless someone made him.

      “Here.” Chance handed Chloe the umbrella and ran to the other side of the car. Opening the door, he reached in and—just lifted the dog. Not only that, he lifted the terrified monstrosity of a mutt as if he were a stuffed toy. Chance expertly carried him toward the house.

      Midnight must have felt secure because he didn’t struggle except to search for Chloe over Chance’s well-developed shoulders and back.

      Rain soaked his shirt and caused it to cling to his skin so every cut, corded muscle became visible as he sprinted with her dog to Mom’s door.

      She regretfully ripped away her gaze and rushed behind them with the unique umbrella.

      Chloe’s mom flung the door open. “What in the world?” Mary stepped aside as the dripping threesome filed in.

      Chance stopped on the rug and set the dog down. “Midnight, stay,” he said to the dog, which not only complied but eyed Chance like he was his new best friend.

      “Good boy.” Chance scrubbed Midnight behind his ears, then tipped his head at her mom. “Ma’am.”

      Mary ogled him. Chloe knew the feeling. Not often did one meet a guy who proved that chivalry was not dead, especially one so tall, broad and beautifully sculpted.

      Chloe fiddled with her oversize wristwatch. “This is my mom, Mary. She is working for Mandy part-time as a receptionist in her doctor’s office until she can get her greenhouse business up and running here.”

      “What do you grow?” Chance patted Midnight.

      “Flowers, mostly.” Mary snapped out of her gawking. “Oh, forgive my manners. Let’s get you a towel and something to drink, young man.”

      “Thank you, but I’m fine. I need to get going.” Chance shifted from foot to foot. “It was nice to meet you. Have a nice day, Mary.”

      He turned to Chloe. “Later.” He slid her a lopsided grin, then slipped out the door and into the rain, leaving her speechless for the second time in her life.

      Later. Sounded like a promise, as did the lazy way the word had drawled across his tongue. Despite rain-soaked clothes, Chloe broke out in a sweat.

      “My goodness, but he’s a looker!” Mary scuttled around the room.

      Chloe’s sentiments exactly. “He’s a Good Samaritan on top of all those piles of muscles and mile-long legs.”

      “A strapping Samaritan. With no identifier that he’s spoken for.”

      “I noticed that too,” Chloe said in a small voice. Ringless finger. She didn’t like that her eyes and heart had headed so quickly in that direction.

      “Later. That sounded a little like an invitation. At the very least, an inquiry.” Mary hawk-eyed Chloe.

      Later. The softly spoken word and the part question, part promise in his silky-suave voice wilted her. For when the word had slid like sugar from Chance’s handsome lips, she’d felt a surge of hope.

      And hoping to see Chance again on a personal level was the absolute last thing she should be doing.

      Especially if the man planned to be a pastor.

      Mom returned with dry towels. “So who was that?”

      Chloe draped one over herself then Midnight. “The son of the client I met with today. I couldn’t find my way in the storm. He passed by and saw me. Helped me get here.”

      “And carried your СКАЧАТЬ