Maverick for Hire by Leanne Banks

Author:Leanne Banks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Two days later, Cecelia felt almost normal and she went back to work. Melba, Beth and Nick clucked over her, but Cecelia knew she could not spend one more day in bed. Her fever was gone and she was not contagious. She worked a full day, but felt a bit tired.

On her way home, Tim called her and invited her to join him at the doughnut shop. “I need a rain check,” she said. “Can we meet tomorrow night?”

“Sure,” he said.

“Thank you for the flowers,” she added. “They were beautiful.”

“I’m glad you liked them,” he said. “I heard you had a rough time. I knew you and Nick Pritchett were friends, but I didn’t know you were quite so close.”

“Oh, he’s like a bossy older brother. I’ve known him since I was a kid,” she told him.

“Oh,” he said, but he didn’t sound quite sure. “So tomorrow night at the doughnut shop. What time?”

“Seven?” she asked.

“Sounds good,” he said. “See you then.”

Cecelia disconnected the call and walked into the rooming house. Melba immediately greeted her. “How are you feeling?”

“Good,” Cecelia said. “A little tired. I think I’ll make an early night of it.”

Melba gave an approving nod. “Good girl. Beth dropped off some chicken and dumplings for you. She was afraid you would be hungry but have nothing to eat.”

Cecelia pressed her lips together. “She’s been so sweet to me.”

“She’s a good woman who’s had a hard life,” Melba said.

“I hope she and Will Duncan will end up together,” Cecelia said in a low voice.

“I’m hoping for the same thing,” Melba said. “Beth can’t seem to stop talking about him.”

“I saw them together,” Cecelia said. “He looked at her as if he would do anything for her.”

“That’s the kind of man you want,” Melba told her. “That’s why I chose Eugene over Bill Barbor.”

“Bill Barbor?” Cecelia echoed. She’d never heard the name before.

“Bill Barbor spent a summer in Rust Creek Falls and he asked me to go with him to Kansas City, but I knew Gene was the better man, so I stuck with him.”

“I’m not surprised there were two men vying for you,” Cecelia said.

Melba laughed. “You’re a spark plug. Just like I was,” she said.

“That’s the biggest compliment you could pay me,” Cecelia said. “Now, show me to the chicken and dumplings,” she said as she headed toward the kitchen. “Have you seen Nick?”

Melba cleared her throat. “I think he may have a date tonight.”

Cecelia felt an odd unwelcome twinge and avoided Melba’s gaze as she surveyed the refrigerator. “Oh, well, he usually does,” she said. Locating the small casserole dish of chicken and dumplings, she pulled it out. “The girls are crazy for him and he’d be crazy to turn them away.”

Melba nodded slowly. “If you say so.”

Cecelia turned to look at Melba. “Why do you say that?”

“Because you and Nick should be together,” she said.

Cecelia’s stomach fell to her feet. She shook her head. “Oh, no, Melba,” she said. “He’s like my big brother.

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