A Mother for Cindy by Margaret Daley

Author:Margaret Daley [Daley, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488079306
Publisher: Love Inspired
Published: 2005-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Nick paused. A whisper separated Jesse from him. If she moved even an inch, their lips would touch. Her heartbeat kicked up a notch, thumping against her rib cage so loudly she wondered if he could hear it.

Releasing her hands, he brought his up to cup her face, so lovingly she wanted to melt against him. His gaze linked to hers as their fingers had been only seconds before, a tangible connection.

“You are so beautiful.”

His softly spoken compliment robbed her of coherent thought. She stood before him mesmerized by his eyes, dark pools that reflected a painful past, an inner struggle. He fought to mask his expression but she saw his anguish, hidden from most.

“Today was fun.”

She latched on to his comment as though it were a lifeline. “Yes, it was.” Her mouth dry, she licked her lips. “Nate got a kick out of showing you how to fish.”

He grinned, tiny lines fanning out from his eyes. “I noticed your grandfather laughing a few times at my poor attempt to cast a line.”

“That’s why they tolerate me. I’m great at untangling lines.”

“I noticed.”

The space between them shrunk. Their breaths tangled. His hands combed through her short hair and pressed her closer. His mouth settled over hers, and she thought the world had stopped spinning. She clung to him and savored the feel of his lips as they moved over hers.

When he pulled back, she realized she was losing her battle to remain detached. She cared about Cindy, but she also cared about Nick—too much. They lived in different worlds. His revolved around his work in Chicago. Hers revolved around her faith and Sweetwater and that wasn’t going to change. She didn’t see any way for their two worlds to mesh together.

Quickly before she lost her nerve, she stepped back. “Why did you do that?” Why did you make me care about you?

His brows slashed downward. “I don’t know why. It seemed the right thing to do at the time.” Moving away even farther, Nick bent and picked up the rods and reels, cradling them in his arms.

“I consider you a friend.”

“I feel the same way.”

“But that is all. There is no future in anything else.”

A frown carved his features with harsh lines. “It was just a kiss, Jesse. I agree there is no future for us. You’re the marrying kind and I don’t want to get married.”

His words hurt. “I don’t, either. Besides, you live in Chicago and I live here. I won’t leave Sweetwater. My life is here.” Her voice rose a level.

“My life is in Chicago,” Nick said in a near shout.

She placed her fists on her waist and glared at him. “I like a quiet, simpler life.”

He started to say something, stopped and snapped his mouth closed. Then he chuckled. “Actually I’m beginning to value quiet and simple,” he whispered, scanning the area.

The tension siphoned from Jesse. She didn’t normally blow up at a person for no reason and a kiss wasn’t really a good reason. “Sorry.

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