The Deputy's Perfect Match by Lisa Carter

Author:Lisa Carter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-07-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Evy was relieved finally to tell her secret to Charlie. Somehow when she wasn’t looking, Charlie Pruitt had sneaked past her defenses and taken residence in her heart.

He’d gone quiet at her news. She wasn’t sure what to make of his silence. But Bernie and Dixie arrived, bringing dinner from Miss Jean, a friend of his mom’s. The Ritz cracker chicken casserole was good. Evy thought she’d ask for the recipe.

With Bernie and Dixie putting the kitchen to rights, she told Charlie about Sawyer’s offer to help her get over her fear of riding.

Charlie let out a breath. “I’m still trying to process everything you told me.”

She bit her lip. “I can understand this must come as a shock.”

Charlie cupped her cheek. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

She melted at his touch. “I’d like that.” She pressed her lips into his palm.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. Could it be she affected him the way he affected her?

“I’m still planning on doing story time tomorrow night after the library closes for the weekend. But I wanted no more secrets between you and me.”

“Evy... I—” He swallowed.

She glanced at the mantel clock. “Hang in there, Deputy. It’s almost time for another pain pill.”

His gaze slid away.

The strain of the day must have caught up to him. Bernie and Dixie would have their hands full keeping him from nodding off.

He gestured toward the hall. “Would you help me?”

She eased him off the sofa and guided him into the study. Novel clutched under his arm, he headed straight for the window seat.

As she examined his battered features, her eyes misted. He’d come close—too close—to never sitting there again.

He raised his copy of Northanger Abbey. “Dixie’s making me read the rest of the chapters out loud. She and Bernie are going to reenact the scenes.” Charlie rolled his tongue in his cheek. “If that doesn’t keep me awake, nothing will.”

She laughed and, before she second-guessed herself, kissed his cheek. The hazel in his eyes deepened.

Evy ran her finger alongside the stubble sandpapering his jawline. “Don’t have too much fun without me, Deputy. Remember those tender ribs.”

He caught her hand. “Nothing is as fun without you.”

“You’ve got good friends in your life, Charlie Pruitt.”

“The best.”

And he kissed her fingers. Her insides turned to liquid. The beat of her heart drummed in her chest.

“Oh, Evy,” he sighed. “What in the world am I going to do about you?”

“Be well, Charlie. Till tomorrow.”

She took a deep, steadying breath and walked out of his house while she still possessed the willpower to do so.

* * *

The next morning was cool and crisp. A harbinger of harvest season. She made a mental note to buy pumpkins to decorate the library porch.

When she reached the Keller farm, Sawyer and several children had already gathered in the barn. The smell of hay and leather tickled her nose. Latasha hugged Evy.

Sawyer pushed back the brim of his hat. “Good morning.” He smiled. “It’s great to see you. I’m so glad you decided to join us.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.