“Yeah? There are peons then there arepeons.” He laughed. “I bet you’re one of the former.”
I couldn’t help it. I liked him. He had a way of making me feel comfortable around him, even on such a short acquaintance. My gut unknotted itself, though I told myself to not let my guard down. Trust issues again. I’d stowed guns around the house before I moved a single box in.
I poured coffee into two mugs and set one on the table. I sat opposite him, watching him without making it obvious I was doing so. Brody sipped from his cup appreciatively, his gaze open and honest. I’d learned to read body language the hard way, and his told me he felt relaxed and at ease.
“Where did you move from?” Brody asked.
“California.”
“I hope you adapt to the winters here.” Brody sipped his coffee. “They can be brutal.”
“I’m not worried,” I replied. “The front room has a fireplace, and when it snows I’m not going out.”
He laughed. “Can’t drive in the snow, eh?”
“Nope.” I laughed, too. “I don’t want to, either.”
“Come winter, if you need to go someplace, I’ll give you a lift.”
“That’s nice of you to offer.”
“Folks should be looking out for each other,” he said. “Not sweating the small stuff.”
“Good point.” I watched him over the rim of my mug. “You don’t think I’m a psycho serial killer?”
Brody pursed his lips, tilted his head sideways, considering. “I’ve never met one. But if I did, I'd think the eyes would give some warning. Your eyes don’t.”
“How so?”
“Your eyes are cautious, guarded,” he went on. “You’re a bit tense. A girl who invited a stranger twice her size into her home.”
I flushed, looked down at my coffee. “I had no idea I’m so easily read.”
“I have a knack for reading people, that’s all.”
“And you’re not a psycho serial killer?” I looked up.
“Nah.” Brody met my gaze. “I like people too much to want to kill them, and I value my freedom too much to want to risk it being a criminal.”
“That makes sense. While I don’t like people, I have no reason to kill anyone. Nor have I the inclination.”
“I reckon that means I’m safe in your house.”
We both laughed at his comment. We drank our coffee in comfortable silence for a moment, just looking at each other. I liked looking at him, and suspected he liked looking at me. I’d never believed in love at first sight. Nor did I feel that our meeting was destined. Still, I did connect to Brody in a basic, instinctual way.
I wasn’t sure I should be pleased or pissed.
I needed a man in my life the same way I needed a chapped ass.
“Do you have a pen and paper?” Brody asked.
“Yeah. Why?”
“If it’s okay, I’d like you to have my number.” He smiled. “If you need anything, just call.”
He obviously noticed my hesitation. “Really,” he went on. “If you need a heavy box moved, your toilet overflows, I’m your guy.”
“Okay.”
