Love, Special Delivery by Melinda Curtis

Author:Melinda Curtis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

BEN ONLY MEANT to comfort.

That’s what Mandy told herself as she and Olivia walked home that afternoon.

Ben had only meant to comfort, a friendly touch to her shoulder, a steadying hand on her elbow.

She hadn’t felt comforted. Their eyes had met, and Mandy’s world had tilted. The man before her came into focus. Those slashing dark brows over thick black lashes. The strong lines of his cheek and jaw, softened by the upturn of his lips. The brawn of his shoulders that carried the weight and responsibility of others without bending.

The man came into focus, not the firefighter, not the fire inspector. Not even the first responder who was kind to old women who’d fallen.

Her body had been chilled, an aftereffect of adrenaline from putting out the ceiling fire. But as she fell into the depths of Ben’s blue gaze, she’d felt as if she’d stepped into a warm ray of sunlight; she’d felt as if his strength was hers to borrow.

“I can see why you have a thing for Ben.” Olivia walked beside her down the cobbled sidewalk of Main Street, knotting the tails of her borrowed postal service shirt at her waist. “He’s hot.”

Denial was automatic. “I don’t have a thing for—”

“Shut the door. You do! I saw the way you two looked at each other.” Olivia tilted her head and fluttered her eyelashes. “It was cute. You’d make a cute couple. You’ll have these tall kids who’ll play basketball or volleyball. And I’ll be like, yeah, I’m the cool aunt who was there when your parents met. Sparks were flying.”

“You weren’t there when we met.” In theory, sparks had flown, although they’d been induced by a cut wire, not personal chemistry.

“Look at how adorable that is.” Distracted, Olivia had a squirrel moment and paused at the window of Mae’s Pretty Things to admire a white crocheted top. She sidestepped until her reflection lined up with the blouse as if she’d tried it on. “I could totally rock this look.” And then her gaze landed on her short brown hair. “If I had better hair.” She plucked the cowlick with her fingers.

Mandy moved to stand behind her, a full head taller. She placed her hands on Olivia’s shoulders. “Your hair is adorable, just like you.”

“I wanted to die when my hair fell out.” Olivia’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ve got this moon face and chunk body.” Her nose and mouth scrunched as if fighting the urge to cry. “I want my body back, not just my life.”

“It’ll come.”

Olivia sniffed, slipping a hand up to cover Mandy’s. “I’m going to buy that top. I have money coming to me. Can I get an advance from my paycheck?”

“No.” Mandy’s hands dropped away. She turned toward home.

“Why not?” Olivia trotted alongside her.

“That’s not the way the adult world works. Besides, you need to save money for cosmetology school. There’ll be expenses, ones whatever Grandpa left you won’t cover.” Mandy cringed. Why had she implied he’d left her money? What Grandpa had left Olivia wouldn’t cover anything.

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