Sarah's Child (Hqn Romance) by Linda Howard

Author:Linda Howard [Howard, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, United States, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Fiction
ISBN: 9781488029813
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2017-02-02T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

The small bell above the crafts shop door rang at ten minutes after five, signaling the arrival of someone else. The bell jangled all day long, surprising Sarah with its frequency, and she looked up automatically. Just as automatically, her heartbeat increased and her skin flushed as she met Rome’s dark eyes across the width of the store.

She was waiting on a customer, so he didn’t approach her. He lifted a straight black brow at her and began to wander through the aisles, examining the merchandise, his hands shoved into his pants pockets, his suit jacket open. He’d loosened his tie; the silk noose now allowed a good two inches of freedom about his neck. Sarah tried to help her customer, but at the same time she wanted to watch Rome; she felt nervous, and anxious for his approval, like a mother whose child was debuting in a school play. What if he made some comment of unenthusiastic praise? She didn’t know how she’d take it.

The middle-aged woman finally bought several skeins of yarn and a book of afghan patterns. As she left, Derek came out of the back and approached Sarah. “I’ve put that dead-bolt lock on the back door and cleaned up in back. Are you closing at five thirty? If you are, I won’t start painting that other room until tomorrow.”

Rome was slowly approaching, still looking over the merchandise, and Sarah eyed him over Derek’s shoulder. “Yes, five thirty’s closing time.”

“I’ll follow you home, Mrs. Matthews,” Derek offered, but somehow it was firmer than an offer.

“That’s all right,” Rome said easily, coming up behind the boy. “I’ll stay with her until closing, if you want to go on home.”

Derek turned, his golden brown eyes meeting Rome’s darker ones. He’d seen Rome at a distance, so he knew immediately who the older man was, but they’d never been introduced. Sarah took care of that. “Rome, this is Derek Taliferro. Derek, my husband, Rome.”

Rome held out his hand, man-to-man, and Derek took it with complete ease, as if he’d expected nothing else. “Sir,” he said with his unshakable good manners.

“I’m glad to finally meet you,” said Rome. “Sarah raves about you. From what I hear, she wouldn’t have been able to open so soon without your help.”

“Thank you, sir. I was happy to help, and I like working with my hands.”

Evidently feeling that he’d said all that needed saying, Derek turned to Sarah. “I’ll go home, then. I called Mom after I got out of school, and she told me that she’s working on an article, so that probably means she’s forgotten about food. I’d better stuff a sandwich down her before she gets too weak to type. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mrs. Matthews.”

“Fine. Be careful,” she admonished.

He flashed her a brilliant smile, so bright, it was startling. “I’m always careful. I can’t afford to get stopped.”

When Derek had gone, Rome said suspiciously, “How is he getting home?”

“Driving,” Sarah said, grinning.

“And he’s just fifteen?”

She nodded. “But he never gets stopped, because he looks old enough to have a license.

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