Читать книгу Finding Amy - Carol Steward - Страница 11

A cool breeze whistled through the pine trees, offering much-needed relief from the heat. “Do you mind if I loosen my tie?”

Jessica laughed, hoping he didn’t notice her interest in him. She held up her sandals. “You’re asking me?” Sam probably didn’t want to know that she wouldn’t mind if he wore khaki shorts and a T-shirt. “I’m not much for formal attire, but these days, you do what it takes to keep a job that you love.” Which reminded her of the real reason she’d been introduced to Sam. She watched him fumble with the knot of his tie and unbutton the collar, finding it quite odd that something so casual could make a confident man like Sam look uncomfortable.

“I hear you there.” He sighed and his mouth curved into a devastating smile. “This breeze is a Godsend after the heat we’ve had this week. Eleven straight days of over a hundred degrees. That’s one record I’d rather we never break again.”

Jessica closed her eyes and breathed deep. “I could do without the heat, but I miss the long days when summer ends. It’s so nice to have time at the end of the day to go for a picnic or play at the park.”

“How is your daughter doing?”

Jessica felt a sudden warmth just thinking of Amy. “She’s doing well. She still won’t talk much, but her pediatrician reminds me that she’s been through a lot for a three-year-old.”

His quick smile crinkled the skin around his deep-brown eyes. “You both have. I’m sure she’ll come out of it soon.”

She felt like a blanket of comfort had been wrapped around her.

“I remember her golden pigtails,” he added.

“How could you remember that?” Jessica laughed. “She barely had enough hair to get into tiny barrettes then, but she loved having her hair fixed. I just happen to have pictures, if you’d like to see them.”

“I’d love to.” Sam stopped walking and motioned toward the park bench.

Sitting down, Jessica dropped her sandals to the grass and slipped them on. She pulled several snapshots from her bag, describing the pictures and who was with Amy in each. “I’m a little possessive after that night. And much more appreciative.”

“As you should be.” He took the offered pictures and admired them. “Still has that golden hair and blue eyes. She’s as beautiful as her mother.” Sam stopped speaking suddenly, as if he hated complimenting her.

Jessica felt her skin flush, whether because of the compliment or his practically snatching it back, she wasn’t sure.

“She’s a precious little girl. It’s amazing how a few seconds can change your life so drastically. I don’t know how I’d have lived with the guilt if something had happened to her, too.”

Despite her ignoring his compliment, Sam’s shoulders tensed and he edged away. She tried to ignore the pain his simple action caused her. They really didn’t know each other, and she knew better than to take his comment too seriously. He was being so incredibly polite, letting her go on and on about Amy; the least she could do was not make an issue of his embarrassment.

Sam looked across the lake, his furrowed brow and five o’clock shadow intensifying that rock-star appeal.

“Something wrong?”

Sam acted as if she’d caught him spying on someone. He shrugged. “I’m not sure. That looks like my dad.”

Odd, she thought. “He is here, remember? I’m sure he and Lidia haven’t left yet.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s still early, isn’t it.” Sam eased back on the seat, though he continued to stare across the lake. “It’s strange having him in town all the time. He traveled a lot when we were kids.”

“I’m sure that is an adjustment. How is it having him home all the time?”

Sam thought a while. “It’s different. Nice, but a little strange. I’ve been so used to keeping an eye out for my mom and sister that I feel like I’ve been demoted or something.” His brooding expression emphasized the tender side of Sam that she remembered, and she knew what Lidia admired about her youngest son. Lidia claimed he was the teddy bear of the family. He looked and acted tough, but was all mush inside.

Jessica found it difficult to build an image of a tough detective singing and playing an electronic keyboard. To say he puzzled her was an understatement. Right now, she’d give anything to see the teddy bear.

Jessica glanced at her wrist and realized she hadn’t worn a watch. She hadn’t thought the cartoon-character watch she usually wore would fit in at an exclusive hotel. “Do you know what time it is?”

Extending his arm, Sam exposed a fancy gold watch and took a quick glance. “About eight-fifteen.”

She took another sip of her ginger ale. She hadn’t seen Sam drink a drop. “Aren’t you thirsty?”

“Yeah, but drinking alcohol is prohibited when I’m wearing a weapon.”

Jessica waggled her eyebrows while examining his belt, puzzled that she saw no evidence of a gun. “A secret weapon, I presume?” She couldn’t help but look again, embarrassed that she was staring at him.

He crossed one ankle over the opposite knee and smiled, pointing to a small leather holster and a gun. “Just like in the movies. Except in real life, officers don’t drink alcohol while on duty.”

She felt her cheeks turn pink and laughed at her ignorance. “Of course. Does your ballpoint pen blow up, or is it your hidden camera?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You watch too many movies.”

“Only if there’s an attractive hero in it.” She offered her glass. “Would you like to finish my ginger ale? I’m really not thirsty, but the waiter has been so kind, bringing me refills, that I don’t have the heart to decline another glass.”

He looked shocked. “Ginger ale? Wish I’d thought to ask for a soda. It seemed like too much bother to ask for something special.” He accepted the glass and guzzled it.

“So you’d rather go without.” The pink hotel looked even brighter as the sun peeked above the mountain. Jessica studied the sky. “What a gorgeous sunset tonight.”

Sam leaned forward again, obviously too intent on the men outside the hotel to make small talk. He stood and motioned toward the ballroom. “I suppose we should head back.”

“Oh, sure. It is about time I got home.” Jessica put the snapshots back into her bag and started to stand. Sam put his coat on and offered his hand. She’d never met a man her age with such good looks and impeccable manners as well.

Jessica wondered how to broach the subject of the fund-raiser. Time was getting short and they were almost to the terrace. “Sam, there was something else I needed to talk to you about,” she said, the words barely escaping her mouth. She needed to complete her list of participants before the surgery. If she didn’t, publicity wouldn’t get out until after her sick leave was over. She couldn’t miss this deadline. This project was new to the Colorado Springs community, according to her committee members’ recollection, anyway. She knew it could be successful. It had to go smoothly—for her career’s sake, and for the well-being of the shelter.

Sam placed his hand around her waist just as she heard deep, angry voices. He pulled her into the trees.

“Sam, what’s wrong—”

He placed a finger over her lips, then turned her back toward the terrace and leaned close. “Probably nothing, but I’d rather these two not notice us.”

“Who?” Voices behind her got louder and Jessica turned.

Sam took her by the shoulders and pulled her close. “Don’t look,” he demanded softly.

“Excuse me?” She pushed against him.

His grip on her arms loosened, but he didn’t let her move away. “Pretend to kiss me—maybe they’ll think we’re just guests at the hotel out for a romantic walk.”

“Pretend…” He pulled her into his warm embrace and his face brushed near enough for her to feel that he needed to shave. “This is going to cost you.”

“Whatever you want.” His lips were a whisper away. So close she could feel the warmth of his breath. Her heart beat faster.

“You mean it?”

“Yeah, sure.” He rested his strong hand on her waist and turned their bodies slightly, looking over her shoulder. “There, that’s better.”

His words faded suddenly as his lips met hers. For a man who didn’t give a hoot about her, his kiss certainly packed a punch. Didn’t matter, she told herself. She was about to return the favor the next time he let her come up for air. Before she knew it, the only noise she heard was the musical rhythm of her own heart.

She didn’t notice the pain in her back. She didn’t notice that the sun had completely dropped behind the mountains, or that the terrace lights had come on. For a minute she wondered if Sam had forgotten that this was a ruse. Then suddenly he pushed her away and looked around, seemingly convinced that they were alone.

“Think they fell for it?” She didn’t know where she’d come up with the presence of mind to ask such a bland question when her heart was dancing.

He laughed. “Yeah, they’re gone now. Sorry about that.”

She smiled back. “Not a problem. You know what they say about paybacks…”

“What about it? Take you for coffee?”

“You’re not even close,” she said. “Very, very cold, in fact.” Jessica shook her head and crossed her arms in front of her. “That’s going to cost you. Big.”

“What are you talking about?”

“As you may or may not know, I’m the Development Director at the Galilee Women’s Shelter. In other words, I’m in charge of making enough money for the shelter to stay open. Since your mom is a volunteer, I’m sure she’s told you about the fund-raiser next month.”

He looked puzzled. “Other than talking my sister into helping with it, she hasn’t given any details.”

Jessica suspected as much. She also knew that Lidia was sure Sam would turn her down, which was why Jessica was here, getting kissed, which she hoped she didn’t have to do with every participant. She could guarantee it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun as kissing Sam.

He looked at her warily. “Why?”

“I need eligible bachelors, which you must be or you’d probably be very worried about someone seeing that kiss.”

He looked either sick or angry, she wasn’t quite sure which.

She raised her eyebrows playfully. “Trust me, it’s for a worthy cause.”

He shook his head immediately. “No.”

Jessica glared at him and wiped her lips. “No? Did Sammy say no?”

There was no question now, he was angry.

“That kiss was as much for your protection as mine.”

She laughed. “Right. And that is the worst pickup line I’ve ever heard.”

“Trust me, Jessica…” His voice faded.

“I believe you said ‘whatever you want’ when I warned you it would cost you.”

Sam pulled her out of the trees and walked toward the terrace. She felt completely safe in his hands, but couldn’t deny how much she enjoyed having the advantage. She didn’t imagine he was accustomed to being at a disadvantage in any situation.

“Just tell me what I owe you.”

“Congratulations, Samuel Vance, you’ve been unanimously nominated to be one of Colorado Springs’s most eligible bachelors in our bachelor auction. One lucky woman will be your guest on the dream date of your choosing.”

The look on his face was priceless. His olive-hued complexion suddenly looked like he’d spent a month in the sun. His eyebrows drew together to form one black line above his deep-set brown eyes and the smile was long gone.

“You’re expected to be one of the top money-makers, if that helps any. And if that kiss was any indication, I’d say they’re right.”