A Word with the Bachelor by Teresa Southwick

Author:Teresa Southwick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Jack was standing outside the marina store with Brewster Smith when he saw the rental car return. Erin got out and something inside him relaxed. He’d come downstairs expecting to see her and found the note she left. It crossed his mind that he’d pushed back a little too hard on her reading the chapters and she’d had enough. Left before he’d learned to cook for himself. That reminder about her being gone soon had struck a nerve.

She glanced in their direction and waved, then set a couple of bags on the front porch before walking down the slight hill to join them. Harley ran ahead to meet her and she dropped to one knee and enthusiastically rubbed him all over.

Jack wouldn’t mind if she greeted him that way and his body tightened at the thought of having her in his arms and getting her naked.

Not necessarily in that order.

But there was one problem with the scenario. Another intimate encounter would be like walking into an enemy ambush without body armor or a weapon. That’s why he was maintaining a safe zone. Although keeping it up was taking a toll.

She gave Harley one more rub, then stood and walked over to them. “Hi.”

“I see you made it to town and back,” Jack said.

“Did you get my note?”

“Yes.” For some reason it wasn’t especially reassuring.

“Then what’s the problem?” she asked.

“You were gone for a while” was the best he could come up with.

“Did I make it home before curfew?” She lifted one eyebrow before smiling brightly at the older man. “How are you, Brewster?”

“Fit as a fiddle. Yourself?”

“Fine. How is Mrs. Smith’s cold?”

“Stubborn. Like her.” He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “But better. Although she still has a pretty bad cough.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Has she gone back to work yet?”

Brewster shook his head. “Someone is covering for her at the thrift store. She’s getting impatient, though.”

“That’s a good sign. I wish I could do something to help. Maybe a batch of chicken soup?”

“Lucy Bishop already brought some over.” His blue eyes twinkled. “But Aggie wouldn’t mind some of your macaroni and cheese.”

“I don’t believe she’s ever had it.” Erin laughed. “But I’ll whip some up for you to take home to her.”

“If it’s no trouble.”

“Not at all. It’s easy.”

Jack watched her relate to the older man with a potent combination of friendliness and charm. She made it look effortless, natural. Dangerous to him. She’d been in town about two hours and he’d noticed. The house had never felt empty before. Not until her. That was too damn close to missing her.

“So you went to town?” Brew asked.

“Yes. All the stores are decorated for Halloween. Pumpkins, ghosts, skeletons. Spiderwebs up in the windows. It’s so cute. I bet Christmas is really something here.”

The old man nodded. “We’re all about holidays in Blackwater Lake. In fact there’s a big costume party at the community center for Halloween.”

“Do you and Mrs. Smith go?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” He looked at her, then Jack.

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