Page 5 of Hot For You

He glanced from the road to her. “I’d like to hear them some time.”

For some reason, she found herself wanting to tell him about every one of their stories.

He turned the truck into a neighborhood with tall shady trees and houses that looked to be at least thirty or forty years old. “Leigh lives down this street.”

“That was fast.” Carilyn watched the houses pass by until they pulled up to a white home with navy blue trim.

Cody parked the truck in front of the home that had an immaculate lawn and trimmed hedges along with towering shade trees. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

She opened the truck’s passenger side door, unsure of how to climb out and keep her short jean skirt from sliding up. Before she could make up her mind, Cody was there, and he held out his hand. With his help she managed to get out of the truck, but still felt embarrassed when her skirt slid higher on her thighs—as if it hadn’t been short enough already.

When she was out of the truck, he walked with her on the stone pavers to the house. Carilyn rang the doorbell. At first she didn’t think anyone was home, but then she heard the bolt lock slide.

The next thing she knew, Leigh had the door open and her blue eyes lit up with delight when she saw Carilyn on the doorstep.

“Cari!” Leigh hugged Carilyn. “It’s so good to see you.”

“I’m excited to see you, too.” Carilyn grinned as Leigh drew back. “It’s been too long.”

Leigh cocked her head, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she held Carilyn by her upper arms. “Something’s happened.” She frowned. “And you smell like smoke.”

“I’m all right.” Carilyn gave a little smile. “I’ll tell you all about it.”

For the first time, Leigh seemed to realize that Cody was standing nearby. “Cody.” She gave him a quick hug. “You look like hell and you smell even more like smoke than Cari does.”

Cody braced one hand on the doorframe. “It’s good to see you, too.” A spark of amusement was in his eyes.

“Don’t think I’m not pleased to see you, but why are you here?” Leigh looked from Cody to Carilyn. “What’s going on?”

Carilyn sighed. “My car caught fire. Cody was there and helped put it out.”

“Oh, my God.” Leigh’s blue eyes widened. “Your car caught fire?” She looked at the street, her gaze resting on Cody’s truck before she looked to Carilyn. “And Cody gave you a ride here?”

“Yes.” Carilyn glanced at Cody. “He happened to be eating at the café where my car burned up.”

“That’s crazy.” Leigh shook her head. “Come inside and we’ll talk.”

“I’ve got to get back to the fire station.” Cody smiled at Carilyn. “It was nice to meet you.”

Carilyn found herself wanting Cody to stay and she mentally shook her head. “Thank you for everything.”

His gaze rested on Carilyn and he looked like he wanted to say something but thought better of it. When he did speak, he said, “I might need to talk with you again about your car.”

She nodded. “Leigh has my number and I also gave it to the police when they took my statement.”

“See you, Leigh.” He touched the brim of his ball cap as his gaze rested on Carilyn. “Here’s to the rest of the day going much better.”

Carilyn’s heart pounded a little faster at the look in his brown eyes. Then he turned and headed back down the stone pavers to the sidewalk, then around to the driver’s side of his truck. Both Leigh and Carilyn watched him as he drove off.

“Wow, he’s got it bad for you,” Leigh said when she turned back to Carilyn.

Puzzled, Carilyn looked at Leigh. “What?”

Leigh grinned as she pushed the front door all the way open. “You had smooth Cody McBride tongue-tied.”

“What are you talking about?” Carilyn stepped past Leigh, into the house.

Leigh followed and closed the door behind them. “Cody never has a problem talking with the ladies from what I’ve seen. He’s easy-going and fun, and women hang off his every word.”

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