Any Man of Mine (Holmes Crossing Book 5) by Carolyne Aarsen

Author:Carolyne Aarsen [Aarsen, Carolyne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780994049872
Publisher: Misty Ridge Publishing
Published: 2017-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

10

And there stood James. Wearing a casual shirt, corduroy blazer and clean blue jeans. A perfect hybrid of the "man" who loved Schubert and the guy who loved bucking broncs. He was good. I'll give him that.

My eyes drifted to his mouth that quirked up in his now trademark smile, as if he were laughing at some interior joke. I thought of his kiss and my lips burned.

"Is this seat saved?"

"No, but I'm praying for it." Nervousness brought out my dark humour. I had hoped I wouldn't see him after last night's kiss.

"Well, I'll help things along," he said, slipping in beside me as if everything was all peachy keen between us.

Tracy nudged me, gave me a wink. I glared a warning at her, but she just grinned. I rolled my eyes and turned to James.

James was all courtesy and charm, mam-ing the dickens out of Tracy as I introduced them, but while he spoke, I couldn't keep my eyes off of his mouth. I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss. How his face had softened before he moved in. How I had met him partway.

You're in church, you ninny. Get a grip.

"So what brings you here today?" I asked, injecting into my voice a tone of nonchalance. Keep things simple and superficial. He was not the man for me.

"Memories of other church services," he said. "Some of the things we talked about the other night."

My heart fluttered again at his serious tone and the hint of yearning in his voice.

"And they have a free nursery," James added.

His mocking look dampened the faint warmth that his previous comment had kindled in me. "Of course," I said, feeling foolish.

I was about to turn away, but as I caught his gaze again, his sardonic smile softened. "I'm kind of kidding about the nursery," he said, his voice dropping enough to create a hint of intimacy.

Again his eyes held mine. Again I felt like I was drifting into a new, different place. His smile faded and I saw him swallow.

"Danielle..."

A crash of musical chords surrounded us as the singing group at the front started up. I jumped. James looked

away.

My heart fluttered as I got to my feet, my mind trying to connect to the words flashing on the screen overhead. I caught the rhythm, caught the song. But as I sang, I was intimately aware of the man beside me.

Forgive my distraction. Lord, I prayed as my eyes followed the words, trying to pull myself into worship. Into the realization I was in God's house and worshiping Him.

I was drawn slowly into the song, but even so, I heard James's voice beside me, hesitant at first as he learned the song, then more forceful as he caught on.

After the first few songs were done, the worship leader welcomed us to the service, inviting us to greet the surrounding people.

I took a quick breath and shook James's hand, officially welcoming him to our church service. I kept my voice cool and calm.

He looked down into my eyes and gave my hand an extra squeeze at the end.

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