Page 128 of Banter & Blushes

“It’s really not your night, is it?”

Beck stood on the porch steps, one shoulder relaxed against the post, while amusement pulled at his expression. The Hollis Express sputtered at the end of the driveway, and Caroline sat in the seat, her face a picture of exasperation and disbelief.

“What am I going to do?” she said, her voice a mix of frustration and humor. Beck shrugged with an exaggerated flair and laughed softly.

“I guess you’re stranded here untilmorning,” he teased.

Caroline’s face went from surprise to something like horror, and then humor as she half-laughed, half-groaned.

“No, no, no!” she exclaimed, putting her face in her hands. “I bet Gigi already has a square for this,” she lamented, imagining the bingo card entries no doubt popping up about an overnight stay at Beck’s.

“Come on, Hollis. It’s late. I’ll grab my jacket and take you home.”

She climbed out, gathering her things, a nearly bashful “Thank you” escaping her lips as Beck dashed in for his keys. Standing barefoot in the cool sand, she debated whether she liked or hated being rescued.

She had to admit; it was nice. It felt almost reckless.

Beck emerged; a jacket swung over his arm. He walked to the side of his truck and opened the door. Quint leaped into the back seat, knocking some of the air out of the cab with an exuberant woof.

“I brought you this in case you get cold.” Beck wrapped a jacket around Caroline’s shoulders. “Let’s go before your committee drafts a press release,” he said with a grin. They settled in, and his hand brushed against hers as he passed her the seatbelt.

“Think you can survive the ride?” he teased, casting her a sidelong glance as they pulled away from the beach house.

“I think I’ll manage.” Caroline watched the waves disappear in the side mirror.

When they reached her larger home, she couldn’t shake the unwelcome sense of disappointment creeping in. She knew she should feel relieved, but she almost felt like the night had ended too soon.

“Thanks for the lift,” she said, trying to hide the wistful tone in her voice.

“Anytime.” He raced around the truck to open the door as she stepped down onto the gravel. “Sweet dreams, Hollis.”

Caroline watched his taillights fade away, and the noise of the truck’s engine disappeared into the night. She felt the weight of the jacket still around her shoulders and her pulse quicken as she slowly closed the door behind her.

She flopped onto the couch, her mind replaying Beck’s teasing grin and the way his fingers had brushed hers. The night was so far off script, she didn’t know how it fit into her tidy, manageable world.How he would fit.

Groaning, she put her arm over her eyes. If her father could see her now, he’d be disappointed. He didn’t like it when she moved away to get married, and it seemed he liked it even less when she came home to lick her wounds.

Why would he even suggest her for the job of mayor?

Pea slinked over, demanding attention with a few nudges of her wet nose. Caroline lifted the cat onto her lap, stroking her fur in time with the whirlwind of thoughts.

“I know, I know. I’ve been gone too long. You forgive me, little girl?” The cat rewarded her with a sharp nip and settled back into the soft cushions. Caroline sighed, let her mind float back to thoughts of Beck, and dropped into sleep with Pea curled at her side.

CHAPTER 6

CAROLINE

Caroline used the toe of her shoe to push the hammock back and forth. Beck was sprawled comfortably in a second hammock, one leg anchoring him to the porch as he watched her with his infuriating, boyish grin. Quint lay at his feet, gnawing on what looked to be her favorite pen. The dog’s tail thumped a steady rhythm against the wooden floor.

She leaned down to take the pen from the dog and kicked her foot again. The hammock swayed dangerously close to Beck. He didn’t flinch.

“I thought you were bringing me here to help,” she said, crossing her arms. “This is your idea of work?”

“Strategic planning session,” Beck replied, lazily stretching an arm behind his head. “You’re stressed enough for both of us.”

“Is that so?”

“Definitely.”

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