Tall, Dark And Difficult by Patricia Coughlin

Author:Patricia Coughlin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2001-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“If you’re not in a hurry to get home, I’d like to swing by Willow Haven and drop this stuff off tonight. I won’t have time before work tomorrow,” Rose explained, as they pulled onto the highway, “and I know how eager they always are to inspect new acquisitions.”

“I’ve got the whole night,” he replied. “Not that it will take long to unload. Most of their stuff fit in the van. I could probably have gotten all of it in there, but it would have been a tight squeeze. And frankly, a few of the passengers look like their bones are on the brittle side.”

“Very prudent of you,” she said, remembering to avoid all the S words, such as sweet and sensitive, but not because she was fooled by his dry tone or indifferent attitude. Bringing him along tonight had not been a test, at least not one she’d consciously planned, but if it had been, Griff had passed with ease.

Elderly folks could be difficult to get along with. They didn’t want to be patronized and they didn’t want to be treated as if they were already dead, and each had his or her own notion as to where the line ought to be drawn between the two. A lot of younger people couldn’t be bothered to figure it out. Or else they could not get past the age spots and cataracts and connect with the person inside enough to see that being seventy is a lot like being forty, only with worse vision and more wrinkles.

Gradually, throughout the night, Griff had managed to strike the right balance, and he had done it with a grace and a respect that reinforced all the good things she surmised about the man, and made his rough spots seem insignificant by comparison.

“It’s true they’re not as limber as they used to be,” she agreed, “but they’re a surprisingly lively group just the same.”

“You got that right.” He cleared his throat. “Maybe a little too lively for their own good in some cases. At the risk of being…indiscreet, I think I should tell you that the little lady with the pink cat’s-eye glasses…Minnie? She goosed me when I was helping her friend into the van.”

Rose swung her gaze from the road long enough to see if he was serious.

He held up a few fingers. “Scouts’ honor.”

Her laughter bubbled uncontrollably. “Why, that sly devil Minnie.”

“It’s not funny.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Well, it won’t be if she tries it with the wrong guy,” he insisted, sounding disgruntled.

“You mean someone who’s not an officer and a gentleman?”

“Something like that.”

“She won’t. Minnie has exquisite taste in men.”

“That’s a relief.” His tone was dry. “I was afraid she zeroed in on me because I looked easy.”

“Not at all. I’m sure she just found you…irresistible.”

“Thanks.”

“Would you like her phone number?”

“No thanks.” He paused, then added, “It so happens I have my eye on someone else at the moment. Someone I find pretty irresistible.”

“Is that so?”

“It sure is.” Reaching across the seat,

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