Rocky Mountain Angels by Jodi Bowersox

Author:Jodi Bowersox [romance] [Bowersox, Jodi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-03-02T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Joe stepped toward her. “Beth, what are you doing out on a night like this?” She unzipped her coat, and Joe helped her out of it. He passed it to Eli, who was hanging up his own.

She unwound the scarf from around her neck. “Well, the wind didn’t come up until just a little bit ago, and I’ve been in town most of the day.”

Eli had moved to the kitchen, so Joe ushered Beth into the living room after slipping back out of his coat. “Why were you in town, and why didn’t you call?”

She turned and slipped her arms around his waist. “Can I get a kiss before the interrogation?”

Joe hesitated just a moment then place his hands gently on her back and bent to do her bidding. He felt like an ass when he realized he was hoping for just a tiny bit of the electricity he felt when touching Mari. Why would it start now?

Sitting on the sofa, she ran a hand through her short hair a couple of times and smiled, patting the spot beside her. Joe sat and looked at her expectantly.

Her brows pinched. “You don’t have to look like my father awaiting an explanation for bad behavior.”

Joe shook his head. “I’m sorry, I’ve got lots of other things on my mind. That’s probably what you’re seeing. And I just... I just wasn’t expecting you.”

She turned on the sofa and brought her bent leg up between them. Taking his loosened tie in hand, she pulled him toward her. “Well, come into my world for a minute, Joseph Rhodes, I’ve got something to tell you.”

He couldn’t help but smile at the sparkle in her eyes. “Okay, you’ve got me. Now tell me.”

“Sheri and I got an apartment together here in the Springs.” She put a finger to his lips. “And before you go into one of your budgeting lectures, I want to add that it is very reasonable—my share will be just $20 more, and I can make that up in the gas I’ll save not being stuck in Denver traffic.”

He took hold of her hand still on his lips and gently pulled it down to her knee. Stroking his thumb over her knuckles, he struggled with what to say.

Beth frowned. “Why aren’t you excited?”

He squeezed her hand. “I am, I am. It’s just a lot to take in.”

“Joe, sometimes I think you’re thirty-four going on ninety. It’s so hard for you to switch gears. You just need to loosen up and go with the flow.”

He smiled at her peeved expression and chided himself for raining on her parade and not sharing her excitement. “You’re probably right.” He reached for her and pulled her close. He hadn’t held her in his arms for three days.

It felt good.

This thing I feel for Mari will pass. And anyway, it’s obvious the only feeling she has for me is contempt. He kissed the top of Beth’s head, and with his arms wrapped around her, he ran his fingers down the curve of her waist.

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