Page 12 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘I’ll be on my way. Got things to do.’ Tom dragged his admiring gaze away from her legs and hurried away before she could reply.
Thank goodness one of them had common sense. Fee wished it could be her for a change.
Tom didn’t get it.Gina had been the town beauty, their high school homecoming queen and elected MissPine Ridge three years in a row to lead the Fourth of July parade. Petite enough to nestle under his shoulder, with enticing glossy brunette hair tumbling to her waist and the sort of curves to bring a man to his knees; he’d been the envy of all his friends. Since losing Gina he’d had plenty of offers from women andaccepted the odd one or two but none had any real impact on him deep down. So why now, and why Fee? Her tall, angular body didn’t fit his usual preference but still his fingers itched to explore every inch of the smooth, pale skin she’d unwittingly exposed a few minutes ago. Fee’s ice-blue eyes were a mystery and the few times she’d allowed herself to smile it’d sent shards of desire straight tohis core. He’d better not get started on her lips – wide, unpainted and so expressive it killed him not to kiss her and see what reaction he got.Probably a knee right where it hurt.
He’d planned to put a fresh coat of paint on his bathroom today but that wouldn’t be sufficient to work off the excess of testosterone flooding his system. Instead he’d chop firewood to restock the piles hekept outside each cabin to use in their fireplaces.
Tom headed out of the back door and into the yard where he kept large logs ready to cut. The fresh, cool air allowed him to slip into an easy rhythm, swinging the axe in the steady way he’d learnt from his father. The morning’s warm sunshine soon made the flannel shirt stick to his skin so he unbuttoned it and tossed it aside to workin his white undershirt. After a while he took a break to wipe the sweat from his face with the abandoned shirt.
‘Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to…’ Fee hovered near the fence and her glowing face resembled a tomato dropped in boiling water ready for canning. It wasn’t a comparison he intended to broadcast. He set the axe down on the chopping block.
‘No problem.’
‘The lightbulb on my porch isn’t working, and, um…’
He should have felt sorry for her but like most men was vain at heart and flustering an attractive woman boosted his pathetic ego. ‘It’s what I’m here for. I’ll wash up and be right over.’
‘Please don’t let me interrupt. Later will be fine.’
Tom shook his head. ‘Nope, it won’t. Your job will only take me five minutes.’
‘Thanks.’ She half-smiled, turned and fled back down the road.
Briefly he considered putting his flannel shirt back on but remembered the interesting flash of heat in her cool eyes and abandoned the idea. Tom whistled as he headed indoors – something he hadn’t done in a long time. After cleaning his hands he took a minute to run a comb through his damp hair. As soon as he found the rightbulb he set off and hoped he could avoid doing or saying something stupid.
‘It’s your friendly electricity guru,’ he called out.
‘That was quick.’ Fee appeared in the doorway and kept her gaze fixed on his face.
‘I’ll pop this one in and leave you in peace.’
She nodded but didn’t say a word so he carried on, sensing her watch his every move.
‘All fixed.’He finished screwing the bulb in. ‘You want to turn it on and make sure it’s working?’
‘Oh, yes, thanks.’ She flicked the switch a couple of times.
‘I’d better get back to work.’
‘If you’re not too busy would you care to join me for lunch?’ The words tumbled out and she nibbled at her lip as if she’d bite them back if she could.
‘You sure? Don’t feel obliged.’ Tompreferred to be straightforward and guessed this particular woman would appreciate honesty.
‘I don’t. I made the offer freely.’ She folded her arms in front of her chest. ‘Take it or leave it. Makes no difference to me.’
Why’d you ask then?‘I’ll take it. What’s on offer anyway?’
The tempting smile he received would be flirtatious on any other woman but he wouldn’t daremake the same assumption about Fee.
‘I don’t cook unless I’m forced to so it’ll only be a sandwich.’
He pretended to consider the offer in an effort not to appear too keen.
‘Oh, for goodness sake. I’m only talking about a simple lunch.’
‘A sandwich would be great. We could eat out here on the porch.’
‘Okay. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable and I’llbring the food out in a few minutes.’ Fee disappeared inside.
Tom sat down and kicked the chair off to a steady rocking motion with the toe of his boot. The day was certainly improving.
