บท 20: Chapter 20
Laney had just finished her solitary dinner when the doorbell rang. Since the boys had been here all afternoon, they were spending a few hours at Jacob's before Parker came home to study for tomorrow's final exams. She'd spoken to Detective Jennings and knew things were looking very dicey for Parker and Jacob. She only hoped this wasn't more bad news.
She wiped her hands on a dishcloth and shut the dishwasher before hurrying to the front door. When she spotted Zach through the window, her heart started to pound - she just wasn't sure it if was with pleasure or concern. His smile when he spotted her opening the door reassured her, as did the bunch of colorful painted daisies in his hand.
"Caught Leo before he closed this time," he said as he stepped in the door. He handed her the paper-wrapped bundle. Then his grin vanished. "Laney, I'm sorry about this afternoon. I promise you, I'm doing all I can to find out who's really behind the fires so I can clear this up and get the pressure off your nephew."
"Thanks." She held the flowers close to her chest and gazed up at him. "I know you have to do your job, and figured that's why I hadn't heard from you. I'd understand if you didn't want to see me again. The gossip - "
"Laney, I don't give a flying damn about the gossip - not for my own sake, anyway. I meant to call this weekend, but ended up working overtime - on top of moving, I barely even slept, and I sure wasn't worth talking to. But I spoke with Mick earlier today. He said the Benedicts were giving you trouble at the Dine-n-Dash this morning. One thing I don't want to do is bring any more trouble down on your head. Seems to me you have your hands full already."
Was this his way of breaking things off gently? Buying time to think, she turned toward the kitchen, motioning him to follow. "Well, let me put these in water then my hands won't be so full."
"I'm serious, darlin'. I want you to let me know if anybody says anything inappropriate. At the very least, I can sic my mother on them." He leaned on the back of one of the kitchen chairs while she found another vase - this one an old milk-glass pitcher that had been her grandmother's - and filled it with water.
"I find it hard to imagine your mother much approves of me, either," she said. Since the tulips were still on the table - though they were almost dead - she took the daisies back into the living room and set them on a bookshelf next to the TV.
Once again, Zach followed her. When she'd arranged the flowers to her satisfaction, she sat down on the couch and he lowered himself to the other end, keeping a respectable distance between them.
"My mother doesn't much approve of anybody," he admitted. "But if I ask for a favor, she'll do it. I'm the prodigal son who just returned - though she's still kind of ticked about me moving into my own place so soon."
"Are you all settled in? Your grandparents had such a beautiful house." The elegant, three story Victorian was one of the most distinctive houses in town. Laney felt a momentary pang of envy - she'd always loved the graceful scrollwork and numerous gables. The turret and bay windows just made her drool.
"Yep. Kinda big for just one person, but it's already starting to feel like home. My folks kept it in good repair, so all it needs is some paint and some updated furniture."
"The garden used to be so gorgeous when your grandmother was alive." Laney had always lusted after that garden - she had so little space to work with here, and Mary Shannon had been an avid gardener, encouraging others like Laney to make the best possible use of their space. "The garden club at the library hasn't been the same without her."
"Maybe you can help me restore it," Zach offered, sliding another few inches toward the center of the sofa. "Just with ideas and stuff - I don't mean you'd have to do the actual work."
Laney laughed. "Blasphemer. No good gardener is happy unless she gets to play in the dirt. I'd love to help, and you'd better let me get my hands dirty. A chance to spend someone else's money and help whip those grounds back into shape? Sounds wonderful to me."
"Anytime you want to get dirty, I'm happy to oblige." He closed the gap between them and cupped the back of her head in his hand. She barely had time to gasp before his lips were on hers.
His kiss was everything she remembered and more. Laney leaned into Zach, winding one arm around his shoulders as he hauled her up onto his lap. She opened eagerly as his tongue parted her lips, her entire body melting into a pool of sensation and desire.
He kept the fingers of one hand tangled in her hair while the other ran up and down her spine, curving around to stroke her bottom. Laney jumped at the unexpected touch and broke the kiss. Breathless, she blinked up at Zach through blurry eyes.
"Wow. Umm - "
"Yeah, wow." Zach sighed and kissed her again, softly this time. "Laney, I sure never planned on getting involved with anyone the minute I came back to town. I don't even know if I have a permanent job yet - I'm still on probation as a deputy. We should probably try to take things slow."
"Yeah...slow." She shifted off his lap and back into her corner. "Uh...Parker should be home any minute."
Zach winced and slid away. "Think he's going to come after me with a shotgun?"
Laney's laugh sounded ragged even to her own ears. "I doubt it. You could probably buy him off with a ride in your Corvette."
"I'll keep that in mind." He picked up her hand and toyed with her fingers. "When can I see you again?"
She shrugged. "Slow, remember? I'm working this Friday night and Saturday morning, but I'll be free Saturday evening." She licked her lips and drew in a deep breath. Here goes nothing. "Maybe Parker can stay with Jacob for the night."
His smile was slow and so sexy it hit her like a fist. "Sounds good to me. Saturday night, then. I'll be looking forward to it."
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