Now and Forever by Diana Palmer Page A

worse, he could bring a scarlet blush to her cheeks just by looking at her, a pastime he seemed to enjoy. Breakfast, for instance, was becoming an ordeal.
    â€œOne of the girls I know at school is getting married next month,” Eileen remarkedone morning over bacon and eggs and fresh, hot biscuits. “She got a job in the office after she graduated, and she’s marrying Mr. Jameson. He’s the physical science teacher.”
    â€œHe’s a good bit older than your friend, I suppose,” Tish said, her eyes on the yellow mound of moist scrambled eggs on her plate.
    â€œOh, yes, he’s ancient,” Eileen said, drawling out the word. “He’s twenty-eight.”
    â€œTwenty-eight?” Tish said in mock horror, with a mischievous glance at Russell, who was leaning back in his chair with one eyebrow raised over glittering dark eyes. “My goodness, he’s almost ready for the home, isn’t he?”
    Russell’s dark eyes dropped to that portion of her anatomy which was visible above the table. He stared with a bold intensity that brought the blood flaming into her cheeks. His eyes caught hers, holding them. There was a new sensuous look about them that thrilled her. “Age has its advantages, baby,” he said with a taunting smile. “Although I don’t sanction cradle robbing.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t think he was robbing any cradle if you could see them together,” Eileen said absently. “Jan is very sophisticated.”
    â€œA rare trait in a teenager,” Russell commented as he drained his coffee cup.
    â€œJan’s nineteen,” Eileen argued, “that’s not really teenaged.”
    â€œSophistication depends on the individual, not age,” Russell said. He took a long draw from his cigarette, put the coffee cup in its saucer and settled back in his chair. He eyed Tish speculatively. “Tish is almost two years older than your friend, but I’ll bet my prize Hereford bull that she doesn’t even know how to kiss.”
    Tish’s face imitated a beet as two pairs of brown eyes studied her as if she were an interesting germ under a microscope.
    â€œDo you, Tish?” Eileen asked, all curiosity.
    â€œOf course I do!” she sputtered, and the look she threw at Russell spoke volumes.
    â€œOops, I’ll be late if I don’t hurry!” Eileen cried, glancing at her watch. She wiped her mouth with the linen napkin, laying itback down crumpled and laden with coral lipstick. “Bye!”
    â€œKeep it under fifty-five!” Russell called after her, his tone rock hard.
    â€œIn a Volkswagen, how could I go that fast?” Eileen called back, “Especially in my Volkswagen!”
    â€œPoint taken,” he admitted with a chuckle, and Tish couldn’t help but smile at the picture of Eileen in her beat-up little yellow bug.
    â€œHow did she ever talk you into that car?” Tish had to know.
    â€œWell,” he said with a heavy sigh, “it was Friday, and a sale day, and I was trying to load six heifers on the stock trailer…Oh, hell, she came up on my blind side, that’s all. She was holding my checkbook, and I signed a check, and the next thing I knew I was part owner of a 1965 yellow Volkswagen. At least,” he added darkly, “that’s what the receipt says. It looks more like a lawn mower with giant tires.”
    â€œIt’s good on gas, I bet,” she said.
    â€œSo,” he replied, “is the school bus. You used to ride it.”
    â€œOnly because I couldn’t get around youlike Eileen can,” she reminded him. “I was afraid to push you too hard. I still am,” she murmured with downcast eyes.
    â€œI’d never hurt you, honey,” he said gently.
    â€œI know.”
    There was a long silence while he stubbed out the cigarette. He stood up, moving to catch the back of her chair with one big hand while he leaned down, so close that