02_The Hero Next Door by Irene Hannon

Author:Irene Hannon [Hannon, Irene]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2009-07-29T04:00:00+00:00

“Would you like some coffee?”

As Heather asked the question, J.C. shifted his weight from one knee to the other and looked over his shoulder. His slow smile was as warming as the Nantucket summer sun.

“Good morning.”

The deep, mellow timbre of his greeting did nothing to stabilize her unruly pulse.

“Good morning.” She ventured a few steps closer and perused her garden. In the ten minutes it had taken her to throw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, he’d managed to plant more than half of the begonias. “I saw you from the window. How did you know what to buy?”

“I swung by here at dawn, while I was on patrol, to look over the damage. I picked these up on my way home.” He gestured to the flat of begonias. “I also checked the boxwood. None of them are broken to the ground, so I assume they’ll fill back out eventually. However, what I know about gardening would fit in a teacup.” He gave her that appealing half-hitch grin.

“Boxwoods are pretty hardy.” She folded her arms across her chest. “After all you’ve done for me over the past few days, I don’t even know how to begin to thank you.”

“I was glad to help. I’ve been in tough spots myself. How’s the foot?”

“Not too bad.”

“I’ll check it out as soon as I’m done here.”

“Is there anything you don’t know how to deal with?”

When a flash of pain echoed in the depths of his dark eyes, Heather cringed. Of all the stupid comments! She knew how he felt about his failures with his siblings.

“I’m sorry, J.C. I meant that as a compliment.”

“I know. It’s okay.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Did I hear you offer coffee? At The Devon Rose?”

His abrupt change of subject told Heather it wasn’t okay. But she didn’t know how to make amends.

Pasting on a smile of her own, she tucked her hands in the pockets of her jeans. “I make exceptions on rare occasions.”

“Then the answer is yes.”

“How do you take it?”

“Straight and strong.”

Sort of like the man, Heather reflected. “Coming right up.”

As she pivoted toward the back door, an idea occurred to her, and she paused. The gesture wouldn’t atone for her insensitive remark, but it would help salve her conscience.

Half turning toward him, she tucked her hair behind her ear. “I promised Brian I’d make whole-wheat pecan waffles for breakfast. Would you like to join us?”

The invitation seemed to surprise him, and when he hesitated, she backed off. “It’s okay if you don’t want to. You must be tired after working all night, and this—” she swept her hand over the garden “—has already eaten into your sleep time.”

He sat back on his heels and regarded her. She was certain he was going to refuse, but now it was his turn to surprise her. “I’d like that. I haven’t had homemade waffles in years.”

“Okay. Good. How long do you need out here?”

“Half an hour?”

“That works. I’ll have Brian bring your coffee out when it’s ready.

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