Truly, Madly, Deeply (The Baxters #31) - Karen Kingsbury Page 0,8

just the way she wore the sweater. Yes, that was it.

They walked to the parking lot and he helped her into his black Jeep. Before they reached the road, she turned to him. “Tommy… you aren’t afraid, right?”

“Me?” A strange panic welled up inside him, but he hid it. Don’t be worried, he told himself. He forced a laugh. “Of course not. This is just a checkup.” He reached for her hand. It felt colder than usual.

She nodded and settled into her seat. After a minute she checked the time on her phone. “We’re early. My appointment got moved back an hour.”

“Well then… I have an idea.” He turned at the next light and headed to Benson’s Bakery on Main Street. Oldest Indianapolis creamery around, and Annalee’s favorite.

A smile lifted her lips. “You’re not taking me for—”

“An iced vanilla latte?” He kept one hand on the wheel, his eyes on the road. “Yes, Annalee, I am. After what happened last time… I think it’s only right.”

She laughed and the sound was music in the air. That, combined with the wind in the trees and the bright blue sky, made Tommy relax. Everything was going to be fine. Annalee would receive her mono diagnosis, get better and move on with life.

“By the way.” Annalee shifted in her seat and stared at him. “I forgive you for last time.”

“Good.” He grinned at her. “I told you I’d make it up to you.” The store was just ahead. This was good. Her favorite coffee and funny stories. Everything was going to be fine.

Annalee’s eyes danced. “I mean… what was your excuse again? Lack of balance?”

“Like I said… I was reaching for your door.” He raised his brow. “Trying to be a gentleman.”

“I’m just teasing.” Her laughter remained. “It was an accident.”

“But who does that?” Tommy parked in the lot adjacent to Benson’s. “I reach for your door and hit your iced latte. Straight into your face.”

“It was fun explaining it to my parents.” She took a deep breath. “I laugh every time I think about it.”

As he stepped out of the Jeep, Tommy did an exaggerated bow. He eased her into his arms and his eyes held hers for a long beat. “Happy to keep you entertained.”

For a moment, all he wanted was to kiss her. But if she had mono, he’d better not. They’d been refraining just in case. He worked his hand through her silky hair, his voice a whisper. “Just don’t replace me, okay.”

Annalee stifled a laugh. She looked like she wanted to kiss him, as badly as he wanted to kiss her. But it couldn’t happen now. Not until her diagnosis.

Finally he stepped back and she took his hand. “Don’t worry, Tommy Baxter.” She smiled at him. Those green eyes. “I won’t replace you.”

“Same.” He didn’t look away. “Not now or ever.”

It’s just a checkup. Mononucleosis. Nothing more.

He bought a large drink for her and a small iced tea for himself.. They were almost back to the Jeep, talking about his basketball team and her chemistry class, when it happened.

A deafening screech came from the nearest intersection. Tommy turned and saw a gray sedan jolt to a halt, but the driver didn’t stand a chance. A new model pickup blazed through the red light without braking. The truck barreled into the side of the sedan and somehow kept going.

“Tommy!” Annalee dropped her coffee and took a few steps toward the intersection. “The driver!”

Already smoke poured from the sedan’s engine and the hint of a flame curled up from under the hood. Several cars stopped, but no one got out. Tommy threw his drink and took off. He looked over his shoulder at Annalee. “Call 9-1-1!”

He rushed toward the car even as the fire grew. Other cars pulled up to the intersection and skidded to a stop. One guy opened his car door and stood, but he didn’t move, didn’t run toward the flaming sedan.

Only Tommy did that.

Everything shifted into slow motion. He couldn’t see anything but the car and now something else. A woman frantically struggling inside the twisted wreckage. She looked like she was trying to free herself.

Tommy reached the sedan and grabbed the driver’s door handle. It wouldn’t budge. The heat was intense and getting hotter. Flames moved over the front of the car toward the windshield. It’s going to blow, Tommy thought to himself. God, help me, please. It’s going to blow!

With a strength greater than his own, Tommy finally jerked the door open. “Come on!”