Feigning calm, she smiled and clapped as Mayor Evans drew the celebration to a close. Shaynas inner wuss begged her to run as fast and far away as possible from the threat of Kyles presence. But her pride shushed her fear, giving her the strength to march calmly and confidently in his direction.
Between them, the throng of well-wishers formed a gauntlet she had to kiss and hug her way through. By the time she stood face-to-face with Kyle, the communitys love and support had steadied her backbone. Lands Cross was her turf. She had home field advantage. Let him take his best shot.
She accepted his outstretched hand, her smile so brittle she feared her cheeks would crack. Kyle Anderson. What an unexpected surprise. She kept her voice as cordial as possible, hoping folks would assume he was as harmless as everyone else.
This was too important for me not to come. He tugged her a few steps outside the crush before dropping her hand and leaning in to whisper, Patty wanted to come, too, but I convinced her to give me one more chance before she traveled all this way.
Nausea boiled in her stomach at the mere idea of her bleach-blond bimbo mother invading Lands Cross-her home, her sanctuary. Anger surged through her system, demanding action, but pure stubbornness kept her from bolting. That sounds an awful lot like blackmail, Mr. Anderson.
Nausea boiled in her stomach at the mere idea of her bleach-blond bimbo mother invading Lands Cross-her home, her sanctuary. Anger surged through her system, demanding action, but pure stubbornness kept her from bolting. That sounds an awful lot like blackmail, Mr. Anderson.
I prefer to think of it as smart negotiating, Ms. Miller. I gave you the opportunity to set a convenient, private time and place to discuss matters, but youve forced my hand.
The fact that he had a valid point fueled Shaynas churning temper. Her stubborn refusal to return his calls had backfired. Big-time.
Hyperaware of the curious looks shooting their way, she shifted her body farther from Kyles and nodded and waved at the nearest clutch of people.
Mr. Anderson, I admit that not taking your calls was cowardly, and I give you my word that I will rectify the mistake. But only if you promise to keep Patty away from me and my home. She did her best to keep her face blank as she met Kyles stare. Displaying her panic would sink her cause.
Agreed. He pointed to Dixies Diner across the street. How about we get out of the cold and discuss Dr. Walkers proposal over a hot cup of coffee?
No. Not in public. Weve given the gossips enough to chew on already. Besides, Im busy right now. Maintaining a forcefully civil expression, she nodded goodbye and started to turn back to the crowd.
His hand snagged her wrist and stopped her escape. Tomorrow then?
Tomorrows Thanksgiving, and Ill be busy then, too. Youll have to wait till Friday. She tugged her arm free and took a step backward. The heel of her shoe caught on a clump of dirt, and she started to stumble.
Kyle reacted quickly, catching her around the waist and steadying her. Her chin grazed his broad chest. He smelled like fresh air and sun-warmed leather. For a split second, she entertained the fantasy of melting into him, of huddling into the heat that radiated from him, but his words instantly counteracted her bodys momentary weakness.
Dont abuse my generosity, Ms. Miller. If I have to track you down again, I wont be so understanding. Or subtle.
Alarmed by her own weakness as much as his audacity, she tipped her chin up and glared at him. Turn me loose, she ordered briskly.
If you insist. He relaxed his hold immediately, and she scurried back a step.
Shayna? Everything okay over here? Traviss voice sounded deeper and meaner than usual. Grateful for the interruption, she turned to find Lindy and Travis shooting visual bullets over her shoulder.
You bet. She hoped her big, goofy grin would help sell the lie. Mr. Anderson was just leaving.
Anderson? Lindys brows rose. From California?
Yes maam. Kyle flashed Lindy the same warm smile hed shown the elderly couple back in Los Angeles, but here in Lands Cross it missed its mark. Lindys expression didnt soften one bit.
Dropping the smile, he extended his hand to Travis and introduced himself. Kyle Anderson.
Travis, a dyed-in-the-wool problem solver, accepted Kyles hand, but his gaze remained pinned on Shayna. She knew hed see her nerves plain as day and do what he could to set things right. But this was one problem she had to solve herself.
She spoke up quickly, before Travis could intervene. Mr. Anderson, as Ive explained, now is not a good time for me. Please call me later to discuss this matter.
Certainly, Ms. Miller. I have your number. A flash of something Shayna chose to interpret as respect lit Kyles sparkling blue eyes. Until then.
Deliberately taunting her, he extended his hand for a goodbye shake. Refusing to be intimidated, she closed the gap and slipped her hand into his. Rather than immediately releasing it, he tugged her closer and lowered his voice.
The clock is ticking, Shayna. We will talk. He leaned a smidge closer and added, Soon.
His warm breath wafted against her cold ear. She couldnt contain the shudder that danced down her spine, but privately, she insisted it was just the weather.
As she watched, he climbed into a clean but wimpy gray rental car and drove off. Relief nearly buckled her knees.
Oooh, you were so right about the pretty boy thing. Lindys excited voice recaptured Shaynas attention.
Shayna, who was that guy? Are you sure everythings okay?
Touched by Traviss unwavering concern, she reached up and lovingly patted his cheek. Im fine, Papa Bear. For now, at least. Ill explain everything tomorrow, okay? For now, I just want to go home and recharge. She gave them both a quick hug and a kiss then dashed to the safety of her sturdy old hatchback. She cranked the engine and waited for the heater to warm up.
Wishing for the hundredth time shed never opened that stupid letter from her mother, Shayna forced her sticky transmission into gear and headed home. Mind spinning, she drove out of town and up the mountain to the cabin that had been in the Miller family for generations.
Kyles dogged determination had her mind reeling. What in the world could Walker possibly want with her? He hadnt shown her one iota of interest in twenty-five years. He darned sure hadnt been interested all those nights Patty had passed out, leaving a very young Shayna essentially alone. And what about the times her mother had been arrested and Shayna had been shuffled into and around the overcrowded foster care system?
No, the only person whod cared for her then had been James Miller, the kindhearted schoolteacher whod lived next door. Hed cared enough to petition the courts for temporary custody. A single man with no biological or legal ties. Talk about an uphill battle.
And now, all these years later, Dr. Steven Walker pops up out of nowhere and sics his bulldog lawyer on her, egotistically expecting her to drop everything to accommodate his wishes?
Well, James Millers daughter didnt kowtow to bullies. Shed honor her word and give Kyle Anderson thirty minutes to speak his piece; then shed send him and his sleazy client packing.
Chapter Two
Shayna snapped her eyes open and stared at the cabins vaulted ceiling, trying to figure out what had disturbed her nap. Snuffly snores drew her attention to the floor next to the couch, where her hundred-pound German shepherd snoozed. She rolled over and smiled at the sleeping giant-not much of a guard dog, but for her, Brinks was the perfect companion.
She registered the muffled crunch of tires on gravel half a second before the sound of a car door slamming finally roused the dog-and answered the what-woke-me-up question. Brinks jumped to his feet and ran to the front window.
She sat up just in time to see a masculine silhouette move across the curtain. Dread set her teeth on edge. She wasnt surprised that Kyle Anderson had tried to follow her home, but she was flabbergasted that the stubborn fool had succeeded. There were no street signs on the mountain. Here, directions were given in terms of burned barns and tree stumps.
She was still several steps from the door when he knocked. Brinks rushed forward, a low growl sneaking past his bared teeth. Shayna laid a reassuring hand on his head. Sorry, pup, but his spoiled city hide is probably too tough to chew.
Secretly wishing she were ornery enough to ignore him, Shayna pushed back the curtain. Other than his flapping coattails and wind-tossed hair, it was like someone had superglued an immovable statue to her front porch. A two-hundred-year-old oak should be so sturdy.
Secretly wishing she were ornery enough to ignore him, Shayna pushed back the curtain. Other than his flapping coattails and wind-tossed hair, it was like someone had superglued an immovable statue to her front porch. A two-hundred-year-old oak should be so sturdy.
Over his shoulder, the sky sagged low and gray. While shed napped, this mornings bad weather had turned downright nasty. If the temperature kept falling, thered be sleet before nightfall. Which made getting rid of her uninvited guest even more critical.
Mentally gearing up for battle, she shooed Brinks out of the way and opened the door. A blast of frigid air whipped across the front porch, spilling a hunk of thick blond hair across Kyles forehead before racing through the narrow wedge of the open door.
His gaze flicked over her, head to toe. She knew she looked sleep-rumpled and sloppy but darned if shed fidget and primp for him. Yes? She didnt hold the door open or invite him in out of the cold. Rudeness went against her grain, but sometimes a girl had to break the rules.
His nose glowed Rudolph-red, yet he somehow managed to appear patiently inquisitive, as though he could wait all afternoon if need be. You dont look too busy at the moment. Perhaps nows a better time for our discussion?
Shayna bit her cheek to keep her lips from curving. Despite her pique over this mans nerve, she couldnt help but admire his tenacity. Hed have made one heck of a defensive tackle. Eye on the quarterback and dont stop running till youve mowed him down.