Kitabı oku: «Tempted By The Bodyguard», sayfa 10

Chapter 13

Shelby sat at the table while Lea bustled around the kitchen scooping chowder into bowls and warming them in the microwave. Playful banter and shared stories about life on the police force filled the air and gave her the impression of the warmth between them and the love for their son.

When the front door opened and slammed shut, she jumped.

“That will be Daniel’s brother,” Lea reassured her. “He just got off his shift.” She filled another bowl full of chowder and popped it into the microwave. “You two will have to fill him in on what’s going on.”

Daniel stood.

“Whose car is that?” A man looking a lot like Daniel entered the room and grinned, then pulled Daniel into a bear hug. “Well, you ol’ son of a—”

“Robert.” Daniel’s mother nodded toward Shelby. “Keep it clean. We have company.”

Robert’s grin broadened. “As I was saying, you ol’ son of a—”

“Robert!” Lea Henderson glared at her son. “Be nice and say hello to Shelby.”

Shelby stood and held out our hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Well, hello.” He gripped her hand, and his green-eyed gaze, so much like his brother’s, roved her from head to toe. “The pleasure is all mine.”

Daniel stepped forward. “Back off, Rob.”

“Don’t tell me, you’re with him?” Robert rolled his eyes toward Daniel. “I don’t know what you did to deserve her, but if she’s got a sister, I got dibs.” Robert winked. “Seriously, what do you see in that broken-down secret agent?”

Shelby didn’t know how to answer that, so she kept her comments to herself.

Daniel’s father saved her from answering. “Quit harassing your brother, son, and sit.” He pulled out a chair and pointed. “We have serious matters to discuss.”

At the tone of his father’s voice, Robert sat, wiping the smile off his face. “What’s going on?”

By the time Daniel filled him in, it was getting late and the stress of the past couple of weeks weighed heavily on Shelby’s eyelids.

Robert shook his head. “Damn, Shelby, who’d you make mad?”

“I don’t know.” She covered her mouth as she yawned.

“Oh, honey, you need to get some rest.” Mrs. Henderson slipped an arm around her and led her out of the kitchen. “We get up early around here, but don’t feel like you have to, as well. Sleep as long as you need to.”

“I’m okay, just tired.”

His mother patted her arm. “Don’t you worry. My men will make sure you’re well protected.”

“I don’t want to be a burden,” Shelby said.

Mrs. Henderson stopped in front of Daniel’s bedroom door. “Honey, you’re not a burden. I’m just sorry this is happening to you. I can’t imagine how terrified you must have been.” Her eyes misted and she pulled Shelby into a tight hug. “Two weeks held captive is awful. Your grandfather must have been beside himself.”

Shelby’s own eyes filled with tears. The warmth of Mrs. Henderson’s hug reminded her of her grandfather. It made her feel homesick and wish everything could go back to the way it used to be. Before she’d been kidnapped. Before she’d learned who her grandmother was. But if she’d never been kidnapped, and if she wasn’t Kate Winston’s granddaughter, she’d never have met Daniel.

Lea held Shelby at arm’s length and forced a watery smile. “Now, you get some rest and don’t worry. We’ll take good care of you.” She cupped her face. “Such a pretty girl and so brave. Daniel would be smart not to let you slip through his fingers.” She winked. “Speaking of Daniel, I’d better get him a blanket.” Mrs. Henderson kissed Shelby’s cheek. “Good night, dear.”

Shelby entered Daniel’s bedroom and closed the door behind her at the same time she flipped the light switch on.

The room was decorated in black, gold and white. Mrs. Henderson must have upgraded the decorations since her son had left the nest. The comforter, curtains and matching area rug looked new. But it was the photographs on the wall that drew Shelby.

Some of the pictures were of a miniature Daniel with laughter in his eyes and a smile on his face. Others were of the grown-up Daniel, hanging with his brothers or standing on the beach, looking out over the ocean. All of the pictures had been enlarged and printed in black-and-white to match the decor. Tastefully done, the photos personalized the room without making it a child’s room. Obviously, the Hendersons loved their sons.

Having grown up an only child with one parental figure, Shelby had known a different life. There had been times, when she’d been at a sleepover with friends, that she’d observed families with a mom, dad and siblings and had wondered what it would be like growing up in the chaos.

Since she was a little girl, she’d sworn she’d have at least two kids so they’d never be lonely. They’d always have each other to play with.

Shelby roamed around the bedroom, feeling as if she was getting a glimpse into the boy who’d become Daniel. What a happy childhood he must have had. Not that hers had been unhappy. She paused at the French doors looking out over the ocean. The moon was full, shining brightly on the water and the silvery sands of the beach. After being cooped up in the car for the past thirteen hours, she needed to stretch her legs.

Pushing aside her exhaustion, she opened the door and stepped out onto the porch, inhaling the salty tang in the air, so much like home. A light, cool breeze lifted her hair off her face. She crossed the wooden planks and kicked off her shoes, then hurried down the steps, the sea calling to her.

Once her feet hit the sand, she couldn’t stop. She walked out to where the tide slipped in and out, wetting the sand, packing it firmly.

With the moonlight lighting her way, Shelby set off, walking down the beach, her face to the wind, beach houses on one side, the ocean on the other. For the first time in weeks, she felt free. Free of captivity, free of confining walls and fences, free from potential exposure to the public as the granddaughter of a wealthy and politically connected woman.

On the beach, Shelby could be who she was. A child born and raised by a selfless grandfather who’d done the best he could with a little girl.

Caught up in the beauty and the feeling she’d come home, Shelby didn’t hear the footsteps slapping against the sand behind her until they were almost upon her. Startled, she spun around to see a dark figure hell-bent on catching her.

Her heart slamming into her ribs, she took off running.

“Shelby!” A familiar voice called out. “Shelby, wait. It’s me, Daniel.”

She stopped at once and looked back at him as he raced to catch up with her.

Even in the dark, she could tell he favored his left leg. When he ground to a halt, he bent over, catching his breath while rubbing his leg. When he had his breathing under control, he straightened and glared at her. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

“For a walk.” She stared at his leg. “Is that where you were shot?”

“One of the places,” he said. “You can’t just go walking off without telling me. What if someone had attacked you? What if those jerks who’d taken you the first time somehow found out where you were and were waiting for you to take one step alone?”

Shelby touched a finger to his lips. “What if you would be quiet, take a deep breath of the salty air and enjoy the moonlight? Hmm? Think you can do that?” She crossed her legs and sank to the sand, catching his hand as she went down. “Come on, give that leg a break.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not.” She pointed at the sand beside her. “Sit.” With a smile, she added, “Please.”

“I don’t even have my gun on me.”

“Good. Hopefully, we’ll have this one night without bad guys and without guns to remind us there are bad guys. We can enjoy a beautiful night brought to you by a delightful moon.” She held on to his hand until he sighed and lowered himself to the ground, stretching his sore leg out in front of him.

“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” She lay back on the sand, crossing her arms behind her head. “Whenever school, friends, boyfriends or Granddad got me down, I’d sneak out at night and walk along the shore. The sound of the surf and the smell of salt in the air grounded me, reminding me that no matter how bad things were, the beach was only a few yards away.”

Daniel lay down beside her, his hand behind his head. “Until you were kidnapped?”

“Yeah.” Then she hadn’t had the luxury of thinking the beach was only a few yards away. She’d been trapped in a dark, dingy place with no access to a beach or a window to look out on her beloved shoreline. Though it was dark out, the moonlight gave her hope, dispelling some of the blackness she’d experienced in that basement.

Daniel leaned up on one elbow and stared down at her. “You’re safe now.”

“I know.” Her stomach fluttered and her pulse raced. Suddenly, she didn’t feel so safe. From the bad guys, maybe. But from Daniel? Not so much. She realized she was in danger of falling for this man who’d told her more than once he wasn’t in it for the long haul.

He smoothed his hand through her hair, brushing it back from her cheek. “Did you know that your hair looks like blue-black ink in the moonlight?”

“Did you know you could kiss me and I wouldn’t object?” she whispered. She reached up and curled her fingers around the back of his neck. “Need a little help with that decision?”

“My head is telling me not to go there…but for some reason, I can’t resist.” He swept low, taking her lips in a crushing kiss, his tongue lancing out to caress hers in long slow thrusts.

Her core ached and her belly tightened with a need to be lying naked with this man or running into the waves, making love with him. When he let her up for air, she asked, “How cold is the water here?”

He kissed her forehead and the tip of her nose. “Around sixty degrees. Why?”

She laughed. “I’ve always wanted to go skinny-dipping, but never mind.”

He pushed to his feet and reached toward her. “Come on.” He captured her hand, dragging her up with him and started walking back toward the house.

Disappointment made her lag behind him. Why had she opened her big mouth? Maybe he didn’t want to get naked in the water with her. Maybe he’d kissed her and had second thoughts.

She should have just gone to bed instead of venturing out on the beach and filling her head with sexy ideas about things she wanted to do to his body.

They mounted the porch steps, entered through the open French doors into his room and closed the door behind them. When Shelby thought he’d let go of her hand and leave her alone, she was wrong.

Daniel held on to her hand and continued through the bedroom to the door leading out into the hallway. It was dark and quiet, and the bathroom door stood open, the light off. Without pausing, Daniel crossed the hall, pulling her into the bathroom behind him. Not until he shut the door and twisted the lock did he turn and face her. Then he was kissing her, pressing her back against the wooden door.

She’d barely had time to catch her breath when he cupped her bottom and lifted. She wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling the hard ridge of him beneath his jeans pressing against her center.

“The ocean is too cold for skinny-dipping, but in case you didn’t notice, there is a bathtub big enough for two.”

Shelby glanced at the tub as Daniel trailed kisses along the side of her neck and down to where the pulse beat at the base of her throat. “Why would your parents install a tub this size in the guest bathroom?”

“You’re looking a gift horse in the mouth?”

“No, no. I’m glad they did.” She reached for the buttons on her shirt. “Is it hot in here?”

“Extremely.” He set her on the floor, pushed her fingers aside and finished unbuttoning her shirt, then slid it off her shoulders, exposing her lacy bra. He bent to bite her nipple through the fabric.

Shelby yanked his T-shirt from his waistband, shoved it up over his head and tossed it to the floor. “Won’t your parents hear us…you know…making noise?”

“Probably.” He reached behind him and turned the handle on the bathtub faucet, adjusting it to the right temperature before returning his focus to her.

With her hands on the button of his jeans, she paused. “We really shouldn’t.”

“You’re right. We shouldn’t.” He covered her hands with his and ripped open his jeans. “But we are.”

She took over, dragging his zipper down. “Just say the word and I’ll stop.”

“Don’t tease.” He unclipped her bra in the back and flung it to the side.

“I feel guilty, doing this in your parents’ hou—”

Daniel pressed his mouth to hers. “Anyone tell you that you talk too much?” He bit her bottom lip and tugged on it, then let go.

Shelby ran her tongue across the lip. “Just you.”

“Then stop talking and get in the water.” He quickly unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans and dragged them down over her legs. She stepped out of them and climbed into the tub, the water rising up to her ankles.

Moonlight shone through the glass-brick window over the tub, turning Daniel’s body dark blue and silvery.

Shelby’s breath caught and held as he stepped into the tub with her.

“Ever been skinny-dipping in a bathtub?” He eased into the water and pulled her down to lay across him, the displaced water rising around them.

“Not until now.” She lay against the side of his chest, her hands smoothing over taut muscles, sliding lower, across rock-solid abs to the jutting evidence of his desire.

When her fingers curled around him, he thrust upward, sliding through her wet grip.

“You make me crazy,” he whispered.

“Good.” She moved over him, bracing her knees on either side of his hips, her entrance poised to receive him. “That makes two of us.” It took every ounce of restraint to keep from taking him into her.

He cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb over her lip. “What are we going to do about it?”

Shelby kissed his thumb. “We’re going to start with protection.” She leaned over the side of the tub and reached for his jeans.

He caressed her bottom, his hand gliding across her skin, his fingers curving around to tickle the inside of her thigh.

She tensed, her search for his wallet focused, almost desperate. When she found it, she almost cried out in relief. “Please tell me you have one.”

“And if I don’t?” He chuckled, his finger finding her center and sliding into her channel.

Shelby gasped and breathed, “Then this night would be over. When I’m ready to have a baby, I’ll forgo contraception.” She flipped open the wallet and fished inside for the foil packet she’d known would be there. “You must have made top scores in agent school for being prepared.” She held up the condom in triumph and tore it open. Scooting back, she rolled it down over him.

“I learned something else in agent school.” He gripped her hips and held her up over him, nudging her, teasing her.

“Oh, yeah? Are you like James Bond and you kiss every girl involved in your case?”

“That’s a good idea.” He leaned up and kissed her lips. “But no. I learned that for every action, there’s a reaction.” He eased her down.

“I’m beginning to see your point,” she said, her channel sliding around his shaft. “Perhaps you can drive it home?”

“Impatient?” He slowed her descent, guiding her down, one agonizing inch at a time.

“I’m a quick learner, are you a quick teacher?” She tried to speed up the process, but he held her at bay.

“Some things take a more delicate approach.”

“Damn the delicate approach, I want you.” She leaned down and took his lips as he started thrusting up into her, hard and fast.

“That’s more like it,” she said against his lips. She pushed against his chest, her back arching as she rode him, water splashing up around them.

All too soon, Daniel thrust hard and held her hips as his member throbbed inside her. He gave it a minute, then stood her on her feet and rose, water running down over his torso.

He soaped her body, she soaped his and together, they splashed each other free of suds. Then Daniel scooped her up and stepped out of the tub, setting her on the bath mat then grabbing two towels.

Shelby worked on drying him off, memorizing every inch of him as she worked over his body.

When she was done, Daniel dried her. He dropped to his knees and started at her feet, sliding the soft terry cloth up her calves and over her thighs, spreading her legs as he went. He dried the mound of hair at the apex of her thighs, then parted her folds and bent to touch that sliver of flesh nestled between with his tongue.

Shelby moaned and threaded her fingers through his short hair, urging him to give her more. “Please.”

“Like that?” He tongued her again, sliding across her in a smooth, wet stroke.

She came up on her toes, her fingers digging into his scalp, aching to her very core. “Oh, yes!”

“Well, there might be more of that later.” He rose and dried her bottom, her waist and upward to her breasts. There he paused to taste a nipple, sucking it into his mouth, rolling the bud between his teeth.

Shelby’s body was on fire, craving anything and everything he could do to her. She cupped the back of his head and pressed her breast deeper into his mouth, her other hand sliding down his back to caress his tight ass.

When she thought she couldn’t stand another moment of excruciating pleasure, he swept her into his arms, kicked open the bathroom door and strode across the hall.

Shelby clung to him, trying to cover her nakedness in case his family happened to be roaming the house and caught them on display.

A door opened at the other end of the hallway just as Daniel stepped across the threshold into his old bedroom. He kicked the door shut behind them.

“Are you insane? What if your mother or father had witnessed that?”

“I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them do something similar before. I didn’t learn everything in agent school.” He kissed her and tossed her on the bed.

Shelby liked it when he played rough and disregarded the rules. But in his parents’ house?

Then he climbed over her, leaning up on his arms. “I didn’t sign on to this job to make love to you.”

She caressed his face, smiling up at him. “Consider it a perk.”

“What happens when this is case is cleared?”

“I guess it’s up to us.”

“I’m an agent—”

She pressed a finger to his lips. “I know. Relationships aren’t in the job description. So we take what we can get and part ways when you move on to your next assignment.”

He frowned down at her. “You’re okay with that?”

No, she wasn’t, but she didn’t have any other choice. Shelby forced a smile. “I’d rather have you for a little while than not at all.” She slid her calf up the side of his thigh. “Now, are we going talk all night or are we going to make good use of the time we have together?” She cupped the back of his neck and brought his face close to hers. “Because I can think of a lot better things to do than talk.”

“You know, I don’t know what I did without you.”

“Yeah, well, you’ll find out soon enough. Now shut up and kiss me.”

Daniel complied, kissing her deeply, taking her breath away with his tender caresses.

If she wished they could be together for longer than the night, for a lifetime, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind and focused on what they had in that moment. Tomorrow the case might be solved, Daniel might move on and she’d be left to forget about him. Then again, tomorrow might never come and tonight might be all they had together.

Chapter 14

Daniel woke to the sun shining in through a window and the sound of voices coming from another room. When he tried to move, his arm was weighted down and something warm and soft snuggled up against his side.

Shelby’s hand rested across his belly and her head lay in the crook of his shoulder, her cheek pressed against his chest. Her warm breath feathered across his skin, stirring him to back to life.

Part of him didn’t want to wake her. He wanted to drink his fill, memorizing every contour of her face, her shoulder, breasts and hips to store the images in his mind for when she was no longer part of his life.

She stirred, her hand drifting lower until her knuckles bumped against his rapidly growing erection. He wanted her, but figured she needed her sleep after being up all night.

If he was a gentleman and very careful, he could slip out from under her, dress, go to the kitchen and let her sleep.

When her fingers curled around his shaft, all gentlemanly thoughts flew out the window and he thrust upward.

Shelby’s eyes remained closed, but her breathing grew faster and her hand moved up and down, pumping him as he rocked his hips.

Within a few seconds, he rocketed over the edge, sensations exploding inside. Her movement continued until he captured her wrist and held it. “I take it you’re awake.”

“No,” she said, her eyes still closed.

“Perhaps you need someone to wake you?”

“Perhaps,” she whispered.

He leaned up on his elbow and touched a finger to her mouth, following it with his lips.

She was beautiful, her face kissed by sleep, her body perfectly proportioned and her skin as smooth to the touch as the finest silk.

Moving to her neck, he traced a path with his finger that his lips followed. As he worked his way downward, he tweaked a nipple until it budded into a tight little bead, then captured it with his lips, sucking it into his mouth.

Shelby’s back arched and she moaned, her eyes still closed, a smile curling the corners of her lips.

His fingers slipped over her ribs and into her belly button, lower still to the puff of curls at the apex of her thighs.

She eased her legs apart, offering herself to his ministrations.

He accepted, parting her folds to stroke a finger across that narrow strip of flesh between.

Her breath caught and her eyes opened, their blue depths dark with desire.

His gaze captured hers, and he stroked again, sliding deeper to her slick entrance, damp with the dew of her arousal.

Daniel’s member throbbed at the remembered feel of her tight, drenched channel encasing him in her heat.

Wanting her to experience that sense of utter ecstasy, he slipped down her body and lay between her legs, draping her thighs over his shoulders. He kissed the tender inner flesh and trailed his tongue and lips toward her center.

He hovered, blowing a warm stream of air over her dampness, then he flicked her nubbin with the tip of his tongue.

“There,” she said. Digging her heels into the mattress, she lifted her hips up.

He tasted her again, licking, tweaking and flicking her until she twisted her fingers in his hair and gasped. “Stop.”

“Am I hurting you?” he asked, concerned.

“Yes. No. In the most wonderful way.” She remained tight, tense, her hips rocking even though he wasn’t touching her at this point. A few moments later, she lowered herself to rest on the mattress, her arm flung over her head, her breathing slowing. “Wow.”

Daniel grinned, smacked her thigh and rose to his feet.

“Wait.” She grabbed his hand. “Where are you going? You’re not done yet. I want you inside me.”

“It’ll have to wait. I’m out of condoms.” He winked and bent over her, kissing her lips. “Besides, my mother will be knocking on the door any min—”

A soft tapping sound interrupted him.

Shelby yanked the sheet up over her body, her eyes round, her cheeks flushed a bright pink.

“Good morning, Shelby. I hope that rowdy son of mine let you sleep. How do you like your eggs?” Mrs. Henderson asked from the other side of the door.

“Uh…scrambled, please.”

“Do you two need the clothes you left in the bathroom? Or can I run them through the wash for you?”

Daniel laughed out loud while Shelby glared at him.

“Wash them, if you don’t mind,” Daniel responded.

“In the meantime, I have your duffel bag. I’ll leave it here by the door. Breakfast will be ready in five minutes.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Henderson.”

Footsteps led away from the door.

Daniel opened it, grabbed the duffel and closed it again and was promptly hit by a flying pillow.

“I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.” Shelby threw the sheet back and stood, naked, angry and more beautiful than any woman he’d ever been with. Her blue eyes flashing, she advanced on him. “Why didn’t you warn me sooner?”

He pulled her into his arms. “I didn’t want to spoil the moment.” With her naked body pressed to his, he wanted nothing more than to go back to bed and take her with him. “Why don’t we skip breakfast?”

She leaned into him, her pelvis nudging his member. For a moment, she hesitated, then she leaned back. “We’d better get going. I refuse to show up to breakfast naked or give your mother the opportunity to come storming in to demand we make an appearance.”

He kissed her. “Mom doesn’t storm.” He kissed her again. “Not much, anyway.”

Three loud knocks pounded on the door.

“Hey, you two, break it up in there. Mom’s got breakfast waiting. Humph! Not together, my royal hind end.”

“Beat it, Robert!” Daniel yelled over his shoulder. “I guess we’d better show up.”

Shelby dressed then crossed the hall to the bathroom.

Daniel slipped on his jeans and joined her to splash water over his face, then he ran a comb through his hair. Standing beside her at the sink felt natural and good. He could imagine what it would be like to live with her on a permanent basis.

The thought caught him by surprise, and he nearly bolted for the door. “I’ll see you in the kitchen. Take your time.”

She ran the brush through her hair one last time and smiled. “I’m ready.” No makeup, her hair falling straight and shiny to her shoulders, she was everything a man could ask for.

A man who wasn’t an agent, disappearing for weeks at a time on assignment.

If he wasn’t careful, he’d fall for Shelby, and what would that accomplish? Nothing but heartache.

Keep it simple. This is only a fling, he tried to remind himself.

Shelby entered the kitchen behind Daniel, her face burning and almost afraid to face Daniel’s parents.

“Shelby, you look refreshed, I hope you slept well. Sit.” Mrs. Henderson smiled and waved a spatula toward the table. “Robert beat you to the scrambled eggs, but I’ll have yours ready in just a minute. “Daniel, get the juice from the refrigerator and pour your guest a glass.”

Daniel leaned close to Shelby and said in a loud whisper, “Our mother doesn’t ask, she orders and we obey.”

“Damn right we do,” Robert said, taking a deep bite out of a piece of toast slathered in jelly. “Do as she says or miss out on her great cooking.”

Shelby sat the table, enjoying the teasing between the brothers.

“All I have to say is, yes, ma’am!” Daniel yanked open the refrigerator and grabbed the jug of orange juice. “Where’s Dad?”

“He’s down at the marina, buying up enough lobster for a lobster bake this afternoon.”

“Is there a festival or something?”

“No, but we had invited a few friends over before we knew you two were coming.” Mrs. Henderson frowned. “We can cancel if want us to.”

“No, no. We’re the ones intruding on your plans,” Shelby said. “Besides, I have to admit, though I’ve lived on the beach all my life, I’ve never been to a lobster bake.”

“Then you’re in for a real treat.” Robert grinned. “I’m in charge of setting up the pit.”

“You?” Daniel’s brow wrinkled. “I remember you almost burned down a tent the last time you were in charge of the pit.”

“That was eight years ago. I’ve had more success since then.”

“Since he joined the police department, he’s become a model citizen.” Mrs. Henderson’s chest swelled. “I’m so proud of my boys.”

“Speaking of boys, where’s Marcus?” Daniel asked.

“He and Stacey will join us this afternoon.” Mrs. Henderson laid a plate full of fluffy yellow eggs in front of Shelby, along with a smaller plate of toast and bacon. “Eat up. I need you two to pick up some extra tablecloths at the store in town. It’s not very far and you can show Shelby around. Take her down on Main to the yogurt shop.”

“Mom, we’re not here on vacation.”

“Good grief, son, you can’t hold her prisoner. Get out and show her a good time.” Lea winked at Shelby. “Daniel can be too serious sometimes.”

“I’ve noticed,” Shelby said.

“All right, then, a day in Bar Harbor it is.” He dug into his scrambled eggs. “If we don’t, my mother will nag me until I do something to entertain our guest.”

“He’s got that right,” Lea said.

Shelby felt more at home in the Henderson house than she’d ever thought she would. She genuinely liked Daniel’s parents and even though his brother teased him, she could tell they loved each other.

Ten minutes later, she and Daniel were on their way to Bar Harbor in his father’s truck.

“Don’t be late. The party starts at five!” his mother called out as the truck pulled out of the driveway.

Once they were out of sight of his home, Daniel glanced her way. “Sorry, my mother loves to organize our lives.”

Shelby smiled. “I think she’s sweet.”

“My father puts up with her. She has to have a project or he becomes her project.”

Shelby’s smile lasted all the way into town. She liked his parents and the way he and his brother acted together. If she ever had a family, she wanted a husband who cared and definitely more than one child. As an only child, she hadn’t known what she was missing. Her grandfather had tried to fill all the gaps by being her father, mother and best friend when she needed a shoulder to cry on. It wasn’t the same as having siblings, but she wouldn’t trade her grandfather for anything. He’d been the center of her universe for so long.

Daniel parked just off Main Street and they walked along the sidewalks, window-shopping. Daniel held her hand and she pretended they were a couple, there to relax and enjoy the small tourist town.