“Barbara Jean. Doc Harper’s niece. And my best friend. She and her husband are visiting family this weekend. He’s going to drive my truck here.”
She sat across from Jason and his mischievous grin sent heat rushing to her cheeks.
He snickered when she ducked her head and fumbled with her napkin which added more heat.
“I didn’t expect to make a decision about Doc’s practice so soon, or I would have driven it down here instead of Ethel.”
“You know you can use the Bronco whenever you want. I can sign out a squad car today, so you won’t have to worry about picking me up.”
She hesitated, scrolling through her phone to avoid looking at Coop. “Maybe just today. I’ll have my truck tomorrow. I’d like to look around and see what kind of housing is available.”
“You know you can stay right here for as long you want.” Eva placed a plate of pancakes and bacon in front of Sam. “You don’t have to leave at all.”
“I’ll stay the two weeks I booked while I look around.” She bit into her meal. “But if I move, I might starve to death, because I can’t cook like this.”
“Sam needs to take that beautiful Chevy to the car show at the Dairy Barn tonight,” said Jason, “it’ll be over in plenty of time for your date.”
She opened her mouth to argue the point. It wasn’t a date. Okay, maybe it’s a date; just not that kind of date.
“A date?” asked Miss Eva, “How wonderful. Where are you going?”
“He’s taking her to see Jaws so she’ll get scared, and he can protect her.” Jason grinned at his father. “Right, Dad?”
Coop ignored the comment as he addressed Sam. “Last Friday of the month is Classic Car Night at the Barn. Ethel would be a big hit.”
“I’ll think about it. I rarely had time for car shows in Dallas, though I did go to this thing called Coffee and Cars a time or two.”
“So, Dad, she gonna let you drive Ethel on your date so you can sit side-by-side like in the old days?”
Coop glared at his son.
“Jason Robert Delaney,” chided Eva, “behave and eat your breakfast.”
The culprit turned to Sam with a conspiratorial wink. “Maybe y’all can finish what I interrupted last night.”
She sputtered and coffee dribbled down her chin. “You’re incorrigible.”
One dark brow arched and his lips curled up in an irresistible grin. “Part of my charm.”
Try as she might, it was impossible not to smile. “You do understand paybacks can be…heck?”
He toasted her with his orange juice. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The rest of the meal passed in pleasant conversation and occasional teasing as her companions tried to convince Sam to stay at The Grove for the foreseeable future.
“I need to get going,” said Coop as he deposited his dishes in the sink, “you ready?”
“Yeah.” Sam got up and added hers to the pile. “Is Jack still outside?”
“Chasing the cat a few minutes ago.”
When they reached the Bronco, she stood aside for him to unlock the door.
Instead, Coop laid his hat on the hood, and gently turned her toward him. “I’ve been thinking about that damn almost-kiss all night.”
He cupped her face with his hands, thumbs caressing her cheek. His lips brushed hers, then gently covered her mouth, demanding a response. Mouth parting, she raised herself to meet his kiss. Like the soldering heat capable of joining metals together, it sang through her veins, his tongue sending shock waves through her body as it stroked and explored her mouth.
Heart hammering, she shuddered when his hands dropped to her hips and pulled her against him.
Too soon, he pulled back, eyes gazing deeply into hers. “Damn, Doc,” he whispered. “Damn.”
Surprised and embarrassed by her own eager response to his kiss, she stepped back, cheeks scorching hot. “We should get going.”
“Please don’t do that. Don’t push away from me. From us.”
She focused on a shirt button, unable to meet his intense scrutiny.
He took a step back. “I’m sorry if I crossed the line. After last night…” He raked his fingers through his hair, huffing out a long breath. “Okay. Let’s go.” He reached for the door handle.
“You didn’t cross a line, Dee. I…I wasn’t prepared…to like it so much.”
He cupped her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. “We might be on to something here, Doc. Just give us a chance.”
To her dismay, her voice trembled when she spoke. “Okay.” She paused. “You can drive Ethel tonight if you want to.”
His brows shot upwards. “Will you sit beside me like the good old days?”
“…Yeah.”
