For the Love of Ivy - Cindy Kirk Page 0,35

center. Though she wasn’t sure he should be going to the New Year’s Eve dance, he was determined to attend. She had to admit he’d been a model patient these past five days. The results were amazing. His cough had all but disappeared and while his voice still had a distinct raspy quality, he was sounding more like the old Seth every day.

She glanced at the skirt and sweater she’d borrowed from Anna to wear tonight. Only in Sweet River would the attire for an end-of-the-year party be so casual. Still, her boots were more comfortable than heels and the sweater and skirt warmer than the wraparound party dress she’d worn last year.

Ivy, well, she hadn’t seemed to mind that they’d be gone. Her former babysitter had arrived fifteen minutes ago, bringing along her twelve-year-old granddaughter. Even super cautious Seth felt confident the two could meet Ivy’s needs for one night.

“Lauren.” Seth’s voice carried up the stairs. “Are you about ready?”

The fact he called to her rather than making the trek to the second floor to ask confirmed her suspicions that he wasn’t quite at full speed yet.

Lauren opened the bedroom door. “I’ll be right down.”

It was her fault they were running late. Several months ago she’d started taking a few shifts a week on a teen crisis line. The calls were forwarded to her cell phone. Her shift was supposed to end at six today, but the last call had come in right before her time was up.

The young girl had recently broken up with an abusive boyfriend and needed reassurance that she’d made the right decision. It had been almost six-thirty before the call had ended.

Lauren smiled, remembering how much stronger the girl had sounded when she’d hung up. Though Lauren loved research and her time in the classroom, nothing matched the joy of helping someone through a crisis.

“Lauren?”

With a twinge of chagrin, she realized that during the time she’d been patting herself on the back, Seth had been patiently waiting.

“Coming.” Lauren headed for the stairs, a bounce in her step.

This had been a wonderful year and in many ways she hated to see it end. But when she reached the bottom step and saw Seth’s smile, she realized that the best might be yet to come.

Seth wheeled the truck onto the highway leading to town and cast a sideways glance at Lauren. When she’d glided down the stairs dressed for the evening’s festivities in a skirt and sweater, he’d been shocked by his body’s response.

Though she couldn’t have been more covered up— with boots to her knees, a skirt that fell to her calves and a sweater that only hinted at the curves beneath— the casual, simple look was totally sexy. He liked that she’d let her hair hang loose. Not because he preferred it that way, but because he wanted those at the party to see what had been right in front of them all these months. Everyone was always talking about how pretty Anna and Stacie were, when Lauren was more beautiful than either of them.

“We should be there in plenty of time,” Seth said in the comfortable silence that had filled the cab of the truck. “Of course, since it’s a buffet, it doesn’t really matter.”

Normally there was only snack food at the annual New Year’s Eve dance. The buffet had been a last- minute addition, a fund-raiser to help Miranda and her boys replace their personal belongings lost in the fire. Henry Millstead had donated the beef while local business owners had chipped in for the side dishes.

Stacie, Anna and other women in the community had helped with the preparation.

“If we’re late, it’s my fault.” A tiny smile hovered at the corners of Lauren’s lips, her tone holding no apology. “But I don’t regret taking that last call.”

Though she’d gone into the other room for the conversation, Seth had still heard bits and pieces.

“You have such a calming manner. I’m sure you’re an excellent counselor.”

Unlike his sister, who could be hyper at times, or Stacie, who was as flighty as they came, Lauren’s quiet confidence had the power to defuse even the most stressful situation. Like after the fire. She’d stepped up and done what needed to be done.

“I love helping people,” Lauren admitted. “It isn’t a one-way street. Each person teaches me something, too.”

“Well, the crisis line is lucky to have you.” Seth kept his eyes firmly fixed on the road, finding the emotions rising up inside him disturbing. Lust, he could