Saving Grace by Denise Hunter

Author:Denise Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Howard Books
Published: 2005-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

When Kyle had looked over and seen Natalie on the sidewalk, his first thought was to hide. He was alone, but that suited him just fine. He’d come to the fireworks for something to do, and he wasn’t one to need a bunch of friends around to make him feel secure.

But then Natalie had stopped on the sidewalk. Her arms hugged her torso as the chair leaned against her leg, and he thought she looked like a lost little girl. Then, suddenly she looked as if she were about to bolt. All thoughts of hiding fled as her name formed on his tongue.

He called himself all kinds of fool even while he extended his invitation. Why was he asking her to watch the fireworks with him? Was it pity? She’d looked so alone and had become separated from her family. Or did he secretly want to spend time with her?

As they walked to his spot on the lawn, he shoved the thought away. It was compassion that made him do it and nothing else.

They sat down, their chairs arm-to-arm in the tight space. Above them, the colorful display erupted rhythmically.

“Do you have a cell phone on you?” Natalie asked.

“Sure.” He dug his from his pocket and handed it to her.

“Mine’s dead, wouldn’t you know it? I don’t want my family to worry.” She punched in a number.

Kyle turned toward the dark sky and watched the display. He heard her talking to someone with the reassurance that she was fine. She had to talk loud to be heard over the booms and the oooing and aaahing all around them. Not to mention the toddler who squealed on the blanket beside her. When Kyle heard Natalie telling her family she’d walk home, he spoke up.

“I can give you a lift if you want.” Now, where had that come from? The last thing he needed was to spend more time with Natalie. Already, he’d admitted to himself he was drawn to her. And the last thing he wanted was a woman in his life. But it wasn’t safe, even in Jackson, for a woman to be out walking alone after dark. He was surprised she was even willing, after being assaulted.

“Are you sure?” Natalie covered the mouthpiece. “It’s not far.”

“No problem.” Except to his peace of mind.

Natalie said good-bye and handed him the phone. “Thanks.”

They watched the rest of the fireworks in silence. The grand finale came, and the crowd applauded all the way through it. As the last of the fireworks sounded, the departure scramble began all around them.

“If you don’t mind,” he said, “I’d just as soon wait until the traffic clears.”

“Don’t like sitting in traffic, do you?”

“It’s the one bad thing about summers here.”

Natalie leaned back and rested her head against the chair back. “It’s not so bad, really. It just seems bad, compared to the off-season.”

“It’s a unique place to live,” he said. “Soon as warm weather hits, the tourists come and flood the town with their camping and climbing gear.

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