I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, but right now I’ve got a meal to prepare.”
Sabrina flew along the winding trail, her bare feet sending sand flying in all directions. She didn’t slow down even when she reached the steps. Just as she rounded the corner leading to the back door of the inn, she cannoned into what felt like a brick wall. For a moment, she actually saw stars and would have fallen if two hands hadn’t reached out to steady her.
“ Where are you going in such a hurry?” Meredith asked irritably as he guided her to one of the nearby chairs.
Still d azed by the impact, Sabrina raised an ashen face to his. Had he asked her something? To her dismay, she began to feel light-headed. Surely she wasn’t going to faint in front of this man.
Not slow to interpret the signs, Meredith gently pushed her head down toward her knees. After a few moments, the feeling passed, and Sabrina was able to sit up. She was startled to find him so close, his blue eyes watching her with an expression that was hard to define.
“I’m sorr y for running into you, but I think I got the worst of it. I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck.”
“Considering our relative sizes, I’m not surprised. ” When she tried to stand, he pushed her back. “I wouldn’t chance it just yet. You’re still not quite yourself, are you?”
Sabrina hated to admit he was right even if he had been helpful. She knew he must hate having to do anything for her. “I’ll just sit here a few more minutes. You don’t have to stay; you were on your way somewhere.”
“ It’s nothing that can’t wait.” After a moment, he continued, “This is the second time you’ve tried to mow me down.”
Sabrina’s eyes widened , and Meredith couldn’t help noticing how vividly green they were. “I’m surprised you remember that,” she uttered in a whisper.
He threw her a strange smile. “I was taking over for Professor Masons, wasn’t I?”
She nodded, a smile she couldn’t suppress forming on her lips. “You were a welcome change for many reasons.”
Meredith laughed softly. “ Let’s be honest, it was because I was thirty years younger and didn’t assign as many papers. By academic standards, I was a poor substitute. Professor Masons knows more about literature than I could learn in a lifetime.”
“That might be true, but he’s a boring person to listen to.”
“It isn’t a professor’s job to entertain the class. Tell me why you were in such a hurry this morning.”
“ I lost track of time and was late getting back to help Casey with breakfast.”
“ She may be better off doing it herself. You don’t look capable of lifting a piece of paper – I can’t imagine you trying to pour coffee.”
Before Sabrina could deny this, Casey came around the corner and stopped short at the sight of them sitting close together. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Meredith didn’t give Sabrina a chance to explain. “Sabrina ran into me and is still recovering from the impact.”
“She does look a bit out of it, doesn’t she?” Casey observed.
“Why are you both talking as if I’m not here?” Sabrina inquired petulantly.
She stood up before Meredith could prevent such an unwise move and promptly fainted at his feet. Before Casey’s scream had ended, he had Sabrina in his arms. He was immediately aware of two things: a childishly slender shape and skin as soft as a rose petal.
“I think we should get her in bed,” he suggested in a voice he hoped sounded more normal than he felt.
“Yes, that’s the best thing. Follow me.” Casey led the way to the kitchen and indicated a staircase cleverly hidden behind a curtain. “Her room is the first one on the right at the top of the stairs.”
Meredith gave the room a cursory glance before he lowered his burden onto the day bed. The pink striped wallpaper, matching drapes and white carpeting brought an amused grin to his face. He felt overwhelmed by so much
Sabrina flew along the winding trail, her bare feet sending sand flying in all directions. She didn’t slow down even when she reached the steps. Just as she rounded the corner leading to the back door of the inn, she cannoned into what felt like a brick wall. For a moment, she actually saw stars and would have fallen if two hands hadn’t reached out to steady her.
“ Where are you going in such a hurry?” Meredith asked irritably as he guided her to one of the nearby chairs.
Still d azed by the impact, Sabrina raised an ashen face to his. Had he asked her something? To her dismay, she began to feel light-headed. Surely she wasn’t going to faint in front of this man.
Not slow to interpret the signs, Meredith gently pushed her head down toward her knees. After a few moments, the feeling passed, and Sabrina was able to sit up. She was startled to find him so close, his blue eyes watching her with an expression that was hard to define.
“I’m sorr y for running into you, but I think I got the worst of it. I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck.”
“Considering our relative sizes, I’m not surprised. ” When she tried to stand, he pushed her back. “I wouldn’t chance it just yet. You’re still not quite yourself, are you?”
Sabrina hated to admit he was right even if he had been helpful. She knew he must hate having to do anything for her. “I’ll just sit here a few more minutes. You don’t have to stay; you were on your way somewhere.”
“ It’s nothing that can’t wait.” After a moment, he continued, “This is the second time you’ve tried to mow me down.”
Sabrina’s eyes widened , and Meredith couldn’t help noticing how vividly green they were. “I’m surprised you remember that,” she uttered in a whisper.
He threw her a strange smile. “I was taking over for Professor Masons, wasn’t I?”
She nodded, a smile she couldn’t suppress forming on her lips. “You were a welcome change for many reasons.”
Meredith laughed softly. “ Let’s be honest, it was because I was thirty years younger and didn’t assign as many papers. By academic standards, I was a poor substitute. Professor Masons knows more about literature than I could learn in a lifetime.”
“That might be true, but he’s a boring person to listen to.”
“It isn’t a professor’s job to entertain the class. Tell me why you were in such a hurry this morning.”
“ I lost track of time and was late getting back to help Casey with breakfast.”
“ She may be better off doing it herself. You don’t look capable of lifting a piece of paper – I can’t imagine you trying to pour coffee.”
Before Sabrina could deny this, Casey came around the corner and stopped short at the sight of them sitting close together. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Meredith didn’t give Sabrina a chance to explain. “Sabrina ran into me and is still recovering from the impact.”
“She does look a bit out of it, doesn’t she?” Casey observed.
“Why are you both talking as if I’m not here?” Sabrina inquired petulantly.
She stood up before Meredith could prevent such an unwise move and promptly fainted at his feet. Before Casey’s scream had ended, he had Sabrina in his arms. He was immediately aware of two things: a childishly slender shape and skin as soft as a rose petal.
“I think we should get her in bed,” he suggested in a voice he hoped sounded more normal than he felt.
“Yes, that’s the best thing. Follow me.” Casey led the way to the kitchen and indicated a staircase cleverly hidden behind a curtain. “Her room is the first one on the right at the top of the stairs.”
Meredith gave the room a cursory glance before he lowered his burden onto the day bed. The pink striped wallpaper, matching drapes and white carpeting brought an amused grin to his face. He felt overwhelmed by so much
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