some of the younger locals who enjoyed Sophie’s down-home country breakfast in the mornings, her mouthwatering lunch at noon, and her delectable soulful spread at dinnertime. Her sweet potato pie was worth dying for.
“Ready?” Justin broke into her thoughts.
“Yes. I really don’t need an escort,” she said to Justin when he ushered her out of the restaurant.
“I know, but I need to walk off lunch anyway.”
They were both quiet as they strolled along the sidewalk. More than once she was drawn closer to his side in order to let people pass. And each time she was acutely aware of him holding his ground so their bodies would brush against each other.
Lorren tried concentrating on her surroundings. Some years ago the citizens of Ennis had decided to preserve their historic downtown. As a result, after extensive development, renovation, and restoration, the numerous buildings lining Main Street had undergone some degree of revitalization, preserving a bit of the historical nostalgia of her favorite part of town. It had become the central business district.
“Here we are,” Lorren said, upon reaching Fred’s Garage. “That’s my car over there,” she stated, pointing to the dark blue Camry. “It should be ready now. It’s been here since this morning.”
Justin nodded. “Even so, you’d better check to be sure. I’ve discovered punctuality and timely service aren’t Fred’s strong points.”
Lorren couldn’t help the smile creeping into her features. “You’re right. I guess some things never change.”
“And some things will in good time,” he replied, his eyes fixed on her. The true meaning of his words was all too clear. “If your car isn’t ready, let me know. I’ll be glad to give you a lift home.”
“Thanks, but that won’t be necessary.”
“How about going swimming with me this evening? The only patient I have is the one scheduled at three.”
Lorren hooked her thumbs in the pockets of her jeans and met Justin’s gaze. An idea began forming in her head. What if she agreed to become involved with him? Or at least let him think she had. How would he handle it if her preaffair requirements were more than he was willing to agree to? Would he suddenly back off? Was she brave enough to pull off such a stunt? The thought was insane, but if there was a possibility it might work and get him to leave her alone, then…
A huge smile appeared on Lorren’s face. “I’d love to go swimming with you, Justin. I owe you a rain check anyway.”
A look of surprise registered on Justin’s chestnut features. “I thought you didn’t give rain checks.”
“You’ll be my first.”
He studied her, his eyes dark and intense. “Are you sure?”
She knew he was referring to more than just swimming. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“Okay, then I’ll see you later. I better get back to the office. Remember the offer still stands if you need a ride home.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.” Lorren watched as he turned to walk away, suddenly feeling in control. “Justin?” she called after him.
He turned around. “Yeah?”
With dazzling determination she decided she might as well go for the gusto. “Don’t worry about dinner. It’ll be my treat this evening after our swim,” she said breezily. “It’s the least I can do after your terrific breakfast.”
He stared at her. “Thanks.”
She watched him until he was no longer in sight.
Had she bitten off more than she could chew?
Upon arriving at the office, Justin discovered that Mrs. Breland, his three o’clock appointment, had canceled. Just as well, he thought. His mind was definitely not as focused as it should be. All his mental activity was concentrated on one person—Lorren Jacobs. The woman had him more confused than ever.
Why had she suddenly accepted his invitation to go swimming and invited him to dinner? Had she decided an affair with him wasn’t such a bad idea? He had gone to bed last night thinking that a woman like
“Ready?” Justin broke into her thoughts.
“Yes. I really don’t need an escort,” she said to Justin when he ushered her out of the restaurant.
“I know, but I need to walk off lunch anyway.”
They were both quiet as they strolled along the sidewalk. More than once she was drawn closer to his side in order to let people pass. And each time she was acutely aware of him holding his ground so their bodies would brush against each other.
Lorren tried concentrating on her surroundings. Some years ago the citizens of Ennis had decided to preserve their historic downtown. As a result, after extensive development, renovation, and restoration, the numerous buildings lining Main Street had undergone some degree of revitalization, preserving a bit of the historical nostalgia of her favorite part of town. It had become the central business district.
“Here we are,” Lorren said, upon reaching Fred’s Garage. “That’s my car over there,” she stated, pointing to the dark blue Camry. “It should be ready now. It’s been here since this morning.”
Justin nodded. “Even so, you’d better check to be sure. I’ve discovered punctuality and timely service aren’t Fred’s strong points.”
Lorren couldn’t help the smile creeping into her features. “You’re right. I guess some things never change.”
“And some things will in good time,” he replied, his eyes fixed on her. The true meaning of his words was all too clear. “If your car isn’t ready, let me know. I’ll be glad to give you a lift home.”
“Thanks, but that won’t be necessary.”
“How about going swimming with me this evening? The only patient I have is the one scheduled at three.”
Lorren hooked her thumbs in the pockets of her jeans and met Justin’s gaze. An idea began forming in her head. What if she agreed to become involved with him? Or at least let him think she had. How would he handle it if her preaffair requirements were more than he was willing to agree to? Would he suddenly back off? Was she brave enough to pull off such a stunt? The thought was insane, but if there was a possibility it might work and get him to leave her alone, then…
A huge smile appeared on Lorren’s face. “I’d love to go swimming with you, Justin. I owe you a rain check anyway.”
A look of surprise registered on Justin’s chestnut features. “I thought you didn’t give rain checks.”
“You’ll be my first.”
He studied her, his eyes dark and intense. “Are you sure?”
She knew he was referring to more than just swimming. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“Okay, then I’ll see you later. I better get back to the office. Remember the offer still stands if you need a ride home.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.” Lorren watched as he turned to walk away, suddenly feeling in control. “Justin?” she called after him.
He turned around. “Yeah?”
With dazzling determination she decided she might as well go for the gusto. “Don’t worry about dinner. It’ll be my treat this evening after our swim,” she said breezily. “It’s the least I can do after your terrific breakfast.”
He stared at her. “Thanks.”
She watched him until he was no longer in sight.
Had she bitten off more than she could chew?
Upon arriving at the office, Justin discovered that Mrs. Breland, his three o’clock appointment, had canceled. Just as well, he thought. His mind was definitely not as focused as it should be. All his mental activity was concentrated on one person—Lorren Jacobs. The woman had him more confused than ever.
Why had she suddenly accepted his invitation to go swimming and invited him to dinner? Had she decided an affair with him wasn’t such a bad idea? He had gone to bed last night thinking that a woman like
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