Page 17 of Home Body
“Good. We leave early in the morning. Let’s go home and get some sleep. This has been the longest and weirdest day of my life.”
CHAPTER 12
Dalia finished her shift and headed for her truck but stopped dead cold halfway there. A dark, shadowy figure leaned against the tailgate. He stepped forward and the red light of the spitting neon sign struck his face, making him out to be a morbid monster. She took a step back, calculating whether she could turn and run back to the door before he’d be on her.
“Wait!” a familiar voice called out. “It’s me.” Brody McIntyre came closer, his palms up in a gesture of innocence. “I just want to talk to you for a minute.”
She looked around. No one in sight. If his intentions were honorable, that was okay. If they weren’t, she was in deep shit trouble.
“Please,” he said. “I don’t want to have this conversation around other people. Can we sit in your truck for a minute? Or mine?”
She panicked. Was he going to blackmail her, threatening to tell everyone in Farmdale what she did unless she…what? Paid him money? Paid him in unsavory favors? She hated him for making such a disgusting thought pop into her head.
But it was imperative that she talk to him. Throwing caution to the wind, she decided to get it over with. She tromped to her truck. “Get in,” she ordered, stern with bravery. She unlocked her door, got in, and reached across to unlock his door. No middle console had obstructed her way, as older vehicles didn’t have them. She loved the open front seat that fit her, Rose, and Mama all snuggled together up front.
He got in and turned toward her. “I came here tonight to let you know that I have no intention of telling anyone that you work here. I know that was awkward for you last night when I said your name. You don’t have to tell me anything about why you’re here. It’s none of my business. I can tell that no one in Farmdale knows about this. If they did, I’d have heard it from the gossips – many times, I’m sure. Your secret is safe with me.”
Dalia stared at this man who was practically a stranger to her. She’d registered him as arrogant when she’d met him at market. The way he’d swaggered around in his deputy uniform had left her unimpressed. But here at the club he’d been nothing but prim and proper in his duties. And last night he’d been downright kind helping with Kenyon. Now he was even taking a moral high road. There would be no blackmail? What was with this guy?
“You came all the way over here on your night off to tell me that?”
“Well, yeah.”
She looked out the window, looked back at him, and put out her hand to shake. “I am grateful.” When he took her hand, the jolt of desire she felt took her completely by surprise. The feel of his work-worn palm – strong, rough, and masculine against her smooth skin – sent a thrill up her spine and all the way back down again, halting to ignite her desires. Her voice faltered but she managed to say, “It’s vitally important that no one in town or anywhere know about this.”
“I understand. I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t be thrilled with their new deputy being here, either. So let’s keep that secret both ways.”
“Deal. Thank you. This means the world to me.”
The ball was in his court, but he made no move to leave. Instead, he just sat there staring at her.
“Now, well,” she said, “I’ve got to go.”
“Oh. Yes. Of course.” He opened his door. “Tomorrow’s Saturday. I’ll see you at the Farmer’s Market.”
“Okay.”
He hesitated to get out, leaving her to wonder if he had any intention of going at all.
“I tell you what,” he said. “I’ll follow you home to make sure you get there safely. Don’t be creeped out with me behind you. I’m the black Ford truck.” He pointed toward the front parking lot. “Good night, Dalia.”
She thought about that as she’d not be able to stop at the gas station to change clothes without him knowing that secret, too. She’d change at home in the barn. It was late and neither Mama nor Rose would be awake. “Thank you, Brody. Good night.”
He followed her all the way to the driveway of the farm. There he pulled in off the county road, backed up, and headed toward town.
Dalia found that she couldn’t wait to see him again the very next day.
CHAPTER 13
“Mommy, why are some people so mean?” Rose stared up at her mother with wide, innocent eyes, her pink glasses firmly in place for a change.
“What do you mean, honey? Who do you think is mean?”
Rose pointed. “That man. He’s being mean to the flower lady.”
Dalia had been so busy working at their kiosk at the Farmers’ Market in Farmdale Park on this beautiful Saturday morning, she hadn’t been paying attention to anyone but her own customers. Mama Mamie’s yummy pies, cakes, bread, and muffins had been flying off the tables. When she took a gander, sure enough, there was a man at the flower kiosk across the way, pointing at the seller, an Asian American woman named Sue, and shouting at her. Dalia couldn’t quite hear what he said but his irate tone traveled all the way over to her.
“You stay here with Grammy. Mama, I’ll be right back.”
