From This Moment On - By Debbi Rawlins Page 0,44
that stirred a whole new batch of strange emotions inside her. “Standing right beside you.”
* * *
TRACE HADN’T PULLED close enough to the curb to be legal. But that was just too damn bad. Main Street wasn’t exactly bustling at suppertime and he didn’t plan on staying long anyway. He opened the heavy oak door to the Watering Hole and backed up onto the sidewalk when Nikki stormed toward him.
“Oh.” Frowning, she stopped, leaving enough room for him to close the door. “What are you doing here this early?”
“What am I doing here? Just this afternoon we talked about you not coming back to work too soon.”
“Actually, no, we didn’t.” Shoving her fingers through her hair, she dislodged her ponytail and ripped off the elastic band. “You agree with Sadie. I don’t.”
“So, are you working or not?”
“Sheila’s in there,” she said. “Sadie asked her to cover for me tonight.” Nikki growled and groaned at the same time, her restless gaze sweeping the street. “I’m so pissed I can’t see straight. Why does everyone think they can make decisions for me?” She exhaled a harsh breath, then eyed him with a frown. “I assume you came for a beer. I’ll have one with you.”
“I didn’t come here to drink. I came to talk some sense into you.”
Her lips parted and she just stared at him for a long drawn-out moment. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously.” He tugged on a lock of her hair. So soft and shiny, he wanted to grab a whole handful. “You gonna stand out here and argue with me?”
She sighed, her shoulders sagging as if the fight had suddenly left her. “I haven’t called my mom yet.”
He took her arm and guided her the few feet to his truck. “Are you saying this is cosmic justice? I doubt you’re being punished for procrastinating.”
“What?” She looked at him and laughed, then sighed again. “Oh, Trace, I want life to be normal. I need normal.”
“You might want to look up the definition.” He opened the passenger door, feeling that familiar tug in his chest when she looked up at him with those wide trusting eyes. “You waiting for me to lift you up?”
“I’m kinda normal. You just aren’t used to city women.”
“Right.” He snorted a laugh. “Because I haven’t had my fill in the past year.”
“Hey, what about me? Had enough of me?”
“Sometimes I can’t decide if I wanna kiss you or strangle you.” He had her trapped between the door and the seat, his body blocking her escape. “Does that answer your question?” He leaned close enough to kiss her, close enough to see the gold flecks of excitement dancing in her warm brown eyes.
“I get that,” she said with a small grin. “Where are we going?”
“For a ride...maybe find a place to park on one of the ridges.”
Her brows lifted.
He smiled, draping one arm over the door and letting his weight bring him even closer to her. “And watch the stars.”
Nikki laughed and pushed him back so she had room to climb up by herself. But she caught the sore spot on his shoulder, and he winced before he could stop himself.
She got in and turned in time to see it. “Oh, no. I’m sorry. God, Trace, are you bruised? Let me see.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. Everything’s fine,” he muttered, made sure she was clear, shut the door and rounded the hood.
“Why don’t I drive us in my truck?” she asked, eyeing his shoulder as he slid in behind the wheel.
“No, thanks. I saw how you drive.”
“Hey.” She drew her knees up and hugged them to her chest. “That was different.”
“You want to call your mom now?”
She shot him a startled look. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Want me with you when you call?”
After taking a deep breath, she nodded, which shocked him. He hadn’t expected her to let him listen. If she changed her mind before they found someplace private, he’d understand.
He pulled a U-turn and drove toward the Sundance. She stretched out her legs, dug into her pocket and brought out her cell phone. All she did was stare at it, though, then turn her head to watch the scenery.
It was still light. Usually he liked the longer June days, but not this evening. He would’ve preferred a nice dusky glow. The upside was they’d probably be able to catch a decent sunset.
“You’re not taking me home, are you?” she asked ten minutes into the ride. “Because I won’t—”
“Nope.”
She twisted around to check the mile marker they were passing. “I don’t