Shes worth it.
Her eyes were very dark, almost black, their rims reddened. Are you a mom?
Ino. Shaking her head, she said more firmly, No. Im not.
The crazy urge to wrap his arms around her was strong, but it was far too soon for that. She didnt wear a ring, although he knew that was no guarantee she was single. Is theresomeone? Lord, he felt awkward. Hed been off the dating track too long.
Theres no one, she said softly, staring at her hands as if they held the greatest interest
Me, either, he said, smiling when she shot him a look of profound relief. And you have plenty of time left to have a child when youre ready.
Her smile turned rueful. Am I that obvious?
Not at all. I just saw a flash of longing Well, it takes a parent to recognize it.
You make a great father. I mean- clearly embarrassed, she clenched her fingers together on the table -you must be so proud.
He was, but he refused to get caught in the easy trap of light conversation. Not when he was brimming with curiosity he couldnt seem to ignore. So, what is it that brings you to San Paso Bay?
Again a quick flash of unease, almost fear, crossed her face. Im going to start a temp agency.
Automatically reacting to her fear, Stones gaze scanned the crowd until he found Sara, safely playing, then he gave his attention back to Cindy. In this little town?
She lifted her chin, looking touchingly haughty and uncertain at the same time. You dont have one yet, you know. And neither Morro Heights nor El Tara, the two neighboring towns, have one, either. Which means theres plenty of business.
She spoke as if she had to convince him. Okay.
Ive researched carefully, and all three towns have plenty of growing industry. Actually the want ads are overwhelming. Theres enough to keep me busy.
I think it sounds good.
You do?
He had no idea why that slight wobble in her voice so touched him. Youll do great.
I want to settle here-permanently.
Its a nice place to live.
And raise kids?
Yes. Definitely. Its a quiet safe town.
So safe you have to warn your daughter to stay in sight in a pizza joint filled with people you know?
Damn, he hadnt expected to be faced with his own fears, fears that went back ten years to a woman and to an event so horrifying it still dictated how he treated his daughters safety. Maybe Im just an overprotective parent.
She gave him a long look. The sad fact is, no town is completely safe. Her weary tone said she knew that all too well. Her hands, active only a moment before, settled on the table. Theres always trouble, she said quietly. And it can happen anywhere.
Of course it was true, and how well he knew it. Even in San Paso Bay, bad things happened. Itd been a while since hed dwelled on the scandal that had nearly destroyed him, that had driven the only woman hed ever loved right out of his life. The circumstances had been out of their control, a cruelty from a most unexpected place, but it had happened and nothing could change it.
Jenna was long gone now. Shed not had enough belief in justice to see the crisis through. That, combined with the problem of getting pregnant too young, had made her fall apart.
Stone didnt blame her for getting pregnant or even for the need to run. But he did blame her for not trusting him or herself enough to let their love prevail.
I think it depends on your attitude, he said carefully, and how hard you try. If youre looking for a new start, this is a great place to do it. Do you have family?
She dropped her gaze, studied the tabletop. Family?
As in people related to you?
Not really.
Youre so talkative, he said, grinning.
She looked at him, startled, and finally seemed to realize he was teasing her. A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. Okay, let me rephrase that, she offered. Yes, technically I have family. But we dont act like family. Does that clear things up?
If shed asked him the same thing, his answer wouldnt have been much different. Yes, he had family. But they didnt want to be part of his life.
Simple as that.
Clear as mud, he said. Where do you come from?
She crossed her arms. Then, as if realizing what that gave away, she uncrossed them, making him smile sympathetically. She frowned at him in response. Youre full of questions. And I dont like to talk about myself.
Maybe shed been alone all her life, which would account for the way she protected herself. By keeping people at bay, she couldnt get hurt.
He understood the philosophy. At one time, deserted by everyone hed ever cared about, he might have gone down that same path. He hadnt, partly because he was an innate people person. But mostly, despite what had happened to him, he believed people were basically good.
Maybe Cindy hadnt learned that, and at the thought of someone hurting her, his chest tightened. He wanted her; he had from the first moment hed seen her. But now that wanting changed, deepened into something else. Something sharper and more defined.
He wanted to protect her, and the fierceness of this desire was startling. Oh, hed wanted women before, lots of them; it was just that never, since Jenna, had he felt it quite so piercingly. He didnt stop to think about the significance of that; he simply absorbed it with his usual acceptance of change.
Why are you looking at me like that? she whispered.
Like what?
Likeyou care.
They stared at each other. Because I do, Stone finally said. I look at you and I feel something. I didnt like it at first, which is why I took off on you at the beach. But now-now it makes me want to keep caring.
Her mouth opened, then slowly closed. Youre scaring me.
Well, that makes two of us, he said.
Chapter 3
I dont want this, Cindy told him, shifting nervously. I dont want you to think I matter.
But you do matter.
I dontI shouldnt, she said, sounding a bit desperate.
Of course you should.
She stared at him, soaking it in. A disparaging sound escaped her. Stone
He loved the sound of his name of her lips. Loved it, and wanted to hear it again. What?
What am I doing? She looked lost, confused. I just came to watch a basketball game. Just wanted to acclimate myself, and now look at me. She lifted a bewildered hand. Im
Youre what?
Im doing something I shouldnt, thats what.
Which is?
Wanting you. As soon as the words left her, she slapped both hands over her mouth, her eyes wide and wild. She shook her head violently, as if denying what shed just admitted. I didnt mean I just meant Ive got to go. She leaped to her feet. I Bye.
Stone caught her just before she would have disappeared into the crowd. Dont.
Her chest rose and fell as if shed just raced a mile uphill. She glanced down at his hand on her, which he slowly ran down her forearm until their hands met. Hers was slender, delicate, easily swallowed up by his. Entwining their fingers, he squeezed gently. I didnt mean to scare you off. You came here to start over, and youre doing fine. Dont go yet.
Her gaze jerked to his. I never said I was starting over.
Arent you?
Well, yes, but-
And now weve met and youre nervous. Its sweet, he said, smiling when she blushed. But youll be okay. I know it seems unreal, but youre not alone. Already youre not alone.
She stared at him with something akin to marvel. Again, just looking at her tugged at his heart, made him want to take her in his arms and never let go.
Which made no sense, none at all.
A waitress tried to move past them. Stone sat and pulled Cindy back down, this time in the same side of the booth as him. Their thighs brushed, and he felt his body react at just that innocent touch.
Id be okay alone, you know, she said, not sounding nearly as confident as she clearly wanted to. She was nervous and frightened, a combination Stone could never fully resist because he knew well what it felt like.
Im used to it, she added.
Yeah. Youre fine. He smiled. Youre going to be okay. But you dont have to be alone.
I dont know what to say to you.
Say nothing. He ran a thumb over her knuckles, enjoying the softness of her skin. Just know Im here if you need me and youre going to do great.
I am.
I know.
Its not going to be nearly as hard as it sounds. Some of her enthusiasm came back. Ive had a lot of experience. Ive worked temp jobs for years. It was a great way to travel and still have money. And I did some college at night, took some business classes. Plus, my initial investment is minimal and-
Cindy.
It only takes a small office and some know-how-
Cindy-
So Im sure Ill be fine.
Im sure, too. He narrowed his eyes, taking in the strain so evident on her pale face. Hey are you okay?
I A puff of air escaped her as she deflated. She set her forehead on the table. Im fine. Feeling stupid, but other than that, just fine.
Stupid?
Pulling her hand free, she shot him a sheepish smile. I dont often unload on strangers, then admit towell, you know.
He grinned. Wanting me?
Yes, that, she said, rolling her eyes and looking away as a flush crept up her cheeks.
Then, thank you.
She gave a surprised little laugh. Im not sure what overcame me, telling a stranger
Im not a stranger anymore, not really. He hesitated, wondering why he wanted her so much. It increased every time their gazes met, every second he spent with her. Strange as it sounds, I never felt like we were strangers at all.
She went still. We should order the pizza. Now. Managing a weak smile, she held up the menu.
Stone took it from her. So, you want it all?
Her bravado faltered. Excuse me?
He grinned. On your pizza. You want everything on it.
A smile curved her lips then, the first genuine one hed seen, and man, it was a stunner. It made it easy to throttle back and enjoy the evening, for although he hadnt planned on becoming interested in a woman he suspected was chock-full of secrets and surprises, he also didnt want to turn and walk away.
Yes, everything, she said, amusement in her eyes. On the pizza, that is.
And in that moment Stone knew that he wanted this woman in his life. It wasnt wise, or even practical, because she wasnt like his usual safe pick-a woman he couldnt possibly fall for.
Truth was, for the first time ever he just might have found a woman to make him forget Jenna once and for all.
Several days went by before Jenna felt settled enough to face the task shed been putting off since shed arrived back in San Paso Bay.