“What the heck happened?”Lily huffed.“Oneminute I’m talking to that sheriff, who thinks I’m making amountain out of a molehill, and the next minute I’m comatose on mycouch.Can you fill in a few blanks for me?”This was ridiculous,although she smiled because it was nice to see him again.
Sandy smiled a broad smile back.In fact, hewas trying not to laugh.
“And what’s so funny?”
“You, I have to say.Maybe the Lucille Balldescription fit you after all.You have this penchant for physicalcomedy, don’t you?”He did start laughing.
She rubbed her head.“I have a penchant?Areyou Will Rogers now?”
His grin showed lots of attractive, whiteteeth.
“… Bud said you walked in the station readyfor bear.Someone’s head on the proverbial platter… Something abouta stalker.You got all steamed about people knowing about us,jumped up and hit your head on his bookcase and knocked yourselfout.You know,” he teased, “Bud keeps his anvil up there, don’tyou?”Sandy laughed so hard that spit came out with his words.
“He keeps an anvil on a bookcase?Are youkidding me?”She yelled at him and threw the hot water bottleon the floor.
“Yes, I am and it’s pretty funny too, youhave to admit.”
“If you could control your laughter at me,perhaps I could.”
Lily pouted, folded her arms and moved awayfrom him.By this time, Sandy had doubled up with laughter.Sheloosened up a little and then laughed too.“Okay, I guess it is allalittlefunny.But what about the stalker?I didn’t make itup for attention.”
He started wiping the tears away from hiseyes as his laughter trickled to a stop.“I don’t think I’velaughed this hard in years.Just keeping you around for comedyrelief would be worth the aggravation.”
When her mouth dropped open, Sandy grabbedboth of her hands and kissed them.“You’re very sweet, you know.”He kissed them again.“Better?”
“Well, maybe I feel a little better, but Istill have a stalker.Does anyone care about that?I stepped into apool of red Jell-O yesterday walking to school.You should see myfavorite shoes.That woman is crazy!”
Sandy tried to hide his smile as he foldedher into his arms.“Yes, she is, sweetheart.I promise I’ll takecare of it.”
“No!This is my problem, not yours.”Speakinginto his chest, the words came out muted.
He lifted up her face.“Your problem is alsomy problem.Is that okay with you?”
She was trying to stay mad.After all, I’mwounded!However, maybe it was a little bit funny.Just lookinginto his pale blue eyes made her forget about being mad.Wow.Healways looks at me like it’s the first time he’s seen me.How doeshe do that?
“Hush,” he said softly, stroking her face.“You’re thinking too hard and crinkling up your forehead.If thoselines become permanent, you might need Botox.”
“What?”
“Lily Cable, you are a keeper.Hush up nowand kiss me.”He pressed his lips to hers and although stillmiffed, she eagerly responded.Her heart hammered against his chestand the kiss continued at length.He moaned against her cheek andshe turned his face to look at her.Sandy kissed her again with anintensity that let Lily know he was hers and that was that.Hekissed her throat, her cheeks.His lips against her eyes always didit for her.She gasped and then stood up.
“What?”he said smiling at her.
“I need to give you your welcome homegift.”
“Really?Where is it?”Sandy stood up withher.
“It’s in the bedroom where all welcome homegifts are.”She bit back a smile.
“… I see.Well, I definitely need to see whatyou have for me.”
“Enough with the double entendres.”Lilysmiled wickedly at him and took his hand to lead him into thebedroom.
* * *
CHAPTER TEN
“Jason, what the hell is wrong with you?You’ve been sulking ever since I got back from Vegas.Did you wantme to stay longer or what?”
