All They Need - By Sarah Mayberry Page 0,37

the simplest way to construct the raised beds.

He shrugged modestly.

“I mean it. This is actually going to be beautiful, and not just some utilitarian jumble.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“You’re a dark horse, Flynn Randall.”

“Thank you. I think.”

She studied him. He studied her in return and slowly it dawned on her that neither of them had spoken for a while. The nervousness that always seemed to dog her when he was around returned, all guns blazing, and she pushed her chair back with a screech of metal legs on linoleum.

“Dessert,” she said. “Would you like dessert?”

He checked his watch. “Actually, I need to think about heading to Melbourne. What’s the best taxi service to use down here?”

“I’ll get you a number.”

She kept a card from a local driver in the business-card holder beside her phone and she started rifling through it. She could feel him watching her and self-consciousness turned her fingers to thumbs. She almost jumped out of her skin when the phone rang on the wall beside her.

She reached for the receiver while continuing to search. “Mel speaking.”

“It’s me,” her sister said. “I need a favor. Rex just dropped the phone charger down the toilet and Jacob’s got a big job tomorrow and his phone is practically dead. Can we borrow your charger?”

“Sure. Want me to drop it by?” Mel’s sister’s husband, Jacob, was a plumber, and she knew he needed his phone when he was out and about during the day.

“I’m already in the car. I’ll come grab it,” Justine said.

“Okay. See you soon.”

Mel put down the receiver and glanced at Flynn. “Sorry. That was my sister, Justine. She’s got a toilet-bowl-meets-phone-charger emergency.”

“I hate it when that happens.” He sat with one elbow on the table, his big body relaxed, his blue eyes watching her. She dropped her gaze to the holder and gave a silent sigh of relief when she spotted what she was looking for.

“Bingo.”

Now he could call his taxi and she could stop feeling like an idiot.

“Thanks.” He pulled his phone from his pocket as she passed the card over.

She cleared away their dishes while he spoke to the cab company, giving herself a stern talking-to all the while. Yes, he was an attractive man. A surprisingly good man. Yes, they’d had a nice hour or so together and there seemed to be a buzz of mutual attraction between them. But that didn’t mean anything was going to happen. It was stupid to let herself get so jumpy over something so small and everyday.

“Ten minutes,” Flynn said when he ended the call.

She wiped her hands dry and folded the tea towel over the oven handle. “Good. Great. I’ll go put the porch light on so they know which house it is.”

“I should probably wait outside, anyway,” he said.

“Sure.”

She led him to the front door, flicking on the outside light before opening the door and stepping outside.

It was chilly and she automatically crossed her arms over her chest.

“You don’t have to wait with me, it’s too cold,” Flynn said with a frown.

“I’m fine.” For some reason she was having trouble maintaining eye contact with him.

“Thanks for tonight, Mel. For everything. I really appreciate it.”

“Thanks for my new garden design.”

Two sets of headlights cut through the night as the taxi and her sister arrived from opposite directions. Her sister turned into the drive while the taxi parked out front.

“That was fast,” Flynn said.

“A new record,” she agreed. Her shoulders relaxed a notch. Sixty more seconds and he would be gone.

“Before I forget, don’t buy any plants for your garden without talking to me first, okay?” Flynn said. “I know a few guys who can help you out with wholesale plant stock.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks. That’d be great.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, sliding a business card from one of the slots. “Email me with a list of anything you’re thinking of and I’ll run it by my contacts.”

“I will.” She looked at his card, running her thumb over the raised lettering of his name. When she glanced again Flynn was watching her, a warm, intent look in his eyes.

“I’ll see you later, Mel.” He leaned close, aiming a kiss at her cheek.

She was so startled by the unexpected gesture she flinched and his mouth dragged across her cheek an inch or so before winding up somewhere near her ear.

“Sorry. I wasn’t expecting…” She laughed, the sound high and horribly nervous.

For God’s sake, Porter, it’s just a kiss on the cheek.

“Then I’ll give you fair