The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love - By Beth Pattillo Page 0,48
James Delevan that wouldn’t further demean her in his eyes.
“Thank you,” he said as she turned off the highway onto the long driveway that led to the Sugar Hill Bed-and-Breakfast. “You didn’t have to do that.” He slurred his words a bit, which made him seem more human.
“It was no problem.”
“I’m sorry you missed your movie.”
She shrugged. “There’ll be others.” When, she had no idea, but she wasn’t going to let her disappointment show. Her happiness for her sister would make up for it. “I’m sorry about Dr. Baker,” she replied. “I forgot to warn you he’s a bit of a gossip.”
“A bit?” James answered, but he was smiling. “He’s better than the National Enquirer.”
Maria had to chuckle. “You’re right. But he’s a good man. And a good dentist.” She paused. “Are you sure you’ll be all right, painwise? I can still get your prescription filled if you’ve changed your mind.” She steered the car onto the broad sweep of gravel in front of the B&B. From its position at the top of the hill, she could see the distant lights of the marina and, farther to the east, lights from the town.
“Thanks, but I’ll be fine.” He hesitated, his hand on the car door latch. Then he turned toward her, his expression serious. “You surprised me.”
“I was just being a good neighbor. Or a good host, I guess you’d say, since you’re just visiting Sweetgum.”
He shook his head. “You could have left me on my own, and I’d have been okay.” He paused. “But you didn’t. Thanks.”
What could she possibly say in reply? Any time? Frankly, she hoped this was the last time she’d ever have to be in his company. He was too arrogant, too handsome, and too comp—
She broke off the thought, because what she’d been about to acknowledge, even if it was just to herself, was that he was the most compelling man she’d ever met.
“I’m glad your tooth’s all right,” she said, unable to think of anything else.
“Maria—” He leaned toward her, and against her better judgment, she felt herself sway his direction in response. His dark eyes had gone even darker, and he looked like a man about to—
She caught herself just in time. She jerked back, straightened her spine, and placed both hands firmly on the steering wheel.
“I’d better get back to town.” Her interruption was deliberate and born of sheer panic. “Before my mom gets worried.”
His head snapped back, and he opened the car door abruptly. “You seem a little old for a curfew.”
She could see he was angry. No doubt James Delevan didn’t get shot down very often. Not that she had shot him down exactly, but he had been about to—
Before she could complete the thought, he unfolded his long-limbed body from the car and leaned down to deliver his parting salvo. “Good night, Maria.” The words were coldly formal.
“Good night.” She might be on the wrong side of thirty, but she sounded like a breathless teenager.
He turned and strode away, and she sat for a moment, watching him, until she realized with a start that he would know she was watching him. She reached for the key and turned the ignition. With hands trembling far too much for her liking, she set the car in motion and drove away.
She would not, could not, absolutely refused to be attracted to James Delevan. Thank heavens he would be gone from Sweetgum again soon, although no doubt he’d be back from time to time as the lakefront development moved forward.
She drove home in the darkness, acutely aware of how alone she was and deeply troubled by how much it bothered her.
On the second Monday in November, Merry pulled her mini-van into a parking space at the back of the church.
“Here we are, Hunter,” she said to the baby strapped into his seat in the rear. She kept her voice cheery, but her heart was as heavy as Hunter’s overstuffed diaper bag. She’d been able to postpone this day for a few weeks, but now the time had come. Merry climbed out of the van and opened the rear door. Hunter smiled up at her and waved his fists in the air before putting one in his mouth to chew on.
“That tooth will be through soon,” she assured her son, knowing that her tone would soothe him even if he didn’t understand a word of what she said. She’d given him some baby pain reliever before they’d left the house because she didn’t