I got that. He put down his pen, took off his glasses and squeezed the bridge of his nose.
Sara pulled out a chair and sat beside him. Headache?
Its nothing. I probably just need new glasses. Ill take something.
She stood and moved behind him. He tensed because he didnt know what she was going to do. But when she placed her fingertips on his forehead right at the hairline and began moving them in slow, firm circles, he quickly surrendered to it.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, an annoying voice reminded him that letting Sara touch him like this wasnt such a good idea. They were alone in the house-all of the guests had checked out today.
But another, less rational part of him told the annoying voice to shut up. This felt too good to stop.
She moved her fingers to another spot, began the slow massage again, and the muscles of his face relaxed.
This is much better than any medicine you could take. Her voice was soft, low in her throat.
I thought you were mad at me.
Nah. Im always shooting my mouth off when I shouldnt, but I get over things quickly. No use holding on to anger.
Thats a nice philosophy. Speak your mind, then let it go.
Yeah. Most people dont get that. They get very attached to their grudges.
Did he hold grudges?
She moved on to his temples, then the top of his jaw. She massaged his ears, then behind his ears. She dug her thumbs into the back of his neck.
Reece let out an involuntary moan.
Did I hurt you?
God, no.
She moved her thumbs down his upper spine, finding each little tight spot and working it loose. She moved on to his shoulders. Her hands were firm, and she seemed to know exactly what she was doing.
Could he hire her to come to New York, stand behind his chair at work and do thisoh, maybe once an hour?
She reached around to his chest and unfastened the top button of his shirt. By now he was such a mound of Jell-O that it didnt register for a few seconds that she was taking off his shirt.
Um, Sara?
Massage is much more effective skin to skin.
Ill say.
The annoying voice started up again, but Reece mentally put a clamp on it as Sara yanked out his shirttails and dragged his shirt off his shoulders and down his arms past his elbows, baring a good part of his upper torso.
She massaged his upper back and arms, digging her thumbs under his shoulder blades. Youre just loaded with tension knots. I can work them loose, but it will hurt a little.
I dont think you can hurt me-ouch.
Sorry.
It was a bit uncomfortable as she worked the balled-up muscles, but it was a good kind of hurt, if there was such a thing.
You have good muscles for an accountant.
Too skinny, he mumbled. All his life hed had to work to keep meat on his bones. His brother had played football in high school, and the family always made a big deal about attending the games and cheering him on. Reece hadnt had the body type for football and so had opted for soccer, but he couldnt remember his parents coming to any of his games. His father, though he never said it, clearly thought soccer was for sissies.
Youre not skinny, Sara said firmly. Youre lean. Theres a difference. Do you work out?
A little. Not as much lately, though. He used to run, but he couldnt remember the last time hed put on his running shoes.
Hows your headache? she asked.
Itsits gone.
She ran her fingers lightly over his back as she finished up the massage, giving him wonderful chills. Now, see, wasnt that better than taking some stupid pill that would just mess up your stomach anyway?
I would never take another pill in my life if you could cure all problems like that.
She laughed as she pulled his shirt back up onto his shoulders. She gave his upper arms an affectionate squeeze, and she might have even pressed her face against the back of his head, but he wasnt sure about that.
Im glad to oblige. Then she moved to pick up her purse where shed dropped it onto the table. Im going to put my things away and change clothes. Any thoughts on dinner?
Uh. She was walking away? Hed kind of thought the whole massage thing might be the beginning of a seduction, and hed been willing to go along with it. Or rather, hed been helpless to stop it.
But apparently a therapeutic massage was all shed had in mind.
Well, you think about it, she said breezily, and she headed for the stairs.
Reece buttoned his shirt and tucked it back into his jeans. Dinner. He was hungry, but could he endure another of Saras concoctions?
By the time she returned downstairs, Reece had shut down his computer and arranged his papers into neat stacks. He could work on this some more after dinner, but he didnt want to risk the headache returning until hed eaten.
I could make BLTs, she said.
That sounded pretty safe. Okay, thanks.
On yours Ill use white bread, mayonnaise, iceberg lettuce and nothing weird.
I could make BLTs, she said.
That sounded pretty safe. Okay, thanks.
On yours Ill use white bread, mayonnaise, iceberg lettuce and nothing weird.
You make me feel very boring, you know.
I consider you more of a challenge than boring. The first time I saw you, I remember thinking I wanted to ruffle your hair, mess you up a little.
He couldnt tell her what hed thought when he first saw her. She would probably slap him. What time does your party start?
Oh, later. Nine or ten oclock. Sure you dont want to come?
Actually, yeah, Id like to.
She flashed him a brilliant smile. You mean it? Excellent.
After she disappeared into the kitchen, Reece called his brother on his cell.
Have you figured out what the problem is? Bret asked, his voice tense with anxiety.
I have an idea, but Im not there yet. Bret, Im sorry, but it wont be done by tomorrow morning.
Long silence. Then, Really?
Yeah, really. It was probably a shock to Bret. Reece always lived and died by his deadlines. But given the choice between a deadline and Sara, Sara won hands down.
YOU DONT NEED your car keys, Sara said as Reece came down the stairs, keys in hand. Were taking the trolley. That way no one has to be the designated driver.
Hed changed out of his button-down shirt into something a little more party-esque-a golf shirt, green cargo pants and running shoes. Not bad.
I dont mind being the designated driver, Reece said.
But the trolley is more fun. Come on. Its just a short walk to the stop. If we hurry we can make the nine oclock.
She locked the door, then paused on the front porch and reached for Reece. She thought she saw a flare of something in his eyes as she pulled out his tucked-in shirt, but she wasnt sure.
There. Much better. Then she reached up and mussed his hair for good measure.
Sara! He finger-combed it back into place.
Sorry. Sooner or later I was going to do that.
Reeces cell phone rang. Honestly, his phone rang more than any other persons Sara had ever known.
Reece Remington. Oh, hi, Bret. He listened patiently as Sara checked his watch, then indicated with sign language that they should hurry. Let me call you back about that tomorrow, okay?
After he completed the call, Sara smiled at him. Why dont you turn that thing off?
Turn it off? He sounded shocked, as if shed asked him to tear up his tax return.
Just for one evening. Cant the world turn without you for a few hours?
He smiled back at her sheepishly. Sure, why not. He switched off the phone and stuck it in his pocket.
They walked along at a good clip down Magnolia Street toward the ocean. The old-fashioned trolley ran along Second Street, parallel to the beach but one block inland.
The trolley is already there, Sara said. We better hurry or itll leave without us. She grabbed Reeces hand and they ran down the sidewalk. Wait! Sara called as the trolley started to move. Benji, the conductor, usually waited for stragglers, but he must not have seen them. Hurry, Reece, we can still make it.
What? No, we cant.
Ignoring him, she ran faster, dragging Reece with her.
A group of people already riding on the car urged them on. Reece, with his long legs, ran ahead and jumped on. The trolley was picking up speed and Sara damn near didnt make it. But Reece grabbed her arm and hauled her on board. They collapsed, laughing and gasping for breath, on the first seat they saw while the other passengers cheered their effort.
You are crazy! Reece said, still laughing.
Her heart skipped a few beats. Reece was handsome no matter what expression he wore, but seeing him laugh took her breath away.
You should laugh more, she said.
If I spent more time around you, Im sure I would.
Am I that funny?
Youre crazy-funny. He ran one finger down her bare arm and she shivered with anticipation, hoping he might kiss her again or at least take her hand or put an arm around her shoulders. But he pulled away and gazed out the window.
Sara felt like she had in junior high with her first crush. With most guys she knew exactly what signals to send and how to interpret the ones she got back. But with Reece, she was never sure. He kept his cards close to the vest.
The trolley lumbered down the center of Second Street through the renovated downtown filled with ice-cream parlors and T-shirt shops, antique stores, a movie theater where they screened old movies for two bucks-which included free popcorn-restaurants, a couple of funky little hotels and more bed-and-breakfasts.
Palm trees towered over the brick streets and restored nineteenth-century buildings. Sara viewed it with new eyes, taking a sudden pride in her adopted hometown.
Its a nice town, Reece said, as if reading her mind. I havent spent much time checking it out.
It wasnt always this nice. When I first moved here eleven years ago, downtown was run-down and kind of creepy. But once plans were in place to get the trolley going, the place got a face-lift. Port Clara is starting to be a real vacation destination again, like it was a hundred years ago. That was both good and bad. Good for anybody in the tourist industry, like Allie and Miss Greer. But sometimes Sara missed the sleepy backwardness of the old Port Clara.
Why did you move here? Reece wanted to know.
I was really just passing through. I had it in my mind I would go out to California and make my fortune, maybe become a movie star or something. But I saw that Help Wanted sign in Miss Greers front window, so I stopped on a whim, and that was it.