Glancing outside again, I spot a man in a blue flannel shirt and tattered jeans. Taller than the other men huddled on the corner talking loudly about their weekend's shenanigans, he stands out. Not just because he is not telling his own stories. Just because he is a man who I would guess stands out wherever heis.
“Who is that?” I whisper aloud, as if I know the answer.
Staring at him as he talks with the others briefly, my chest constricts.Why does it feel as if I do know the answer? Not his name or how he knows those men, but the answer to who he is. I’ve definitely never met him before. I would never forget a man so...notable. From his dark hair and golden skin to his wide chest and powerful arms, he is not someone you would forget.
Just then, his head tilts, as if he feels me staring at him. I start to duck to hide somehow, but I cannot move. Hazel eyes focus on me, even though I doubt he can truly see me. Still, I stand here, unable to move, as if I want him to see me. His head tilts but if he sees me, he does not show it. Instead, he goes back to chatting with the other men.
“Close call, Pipes,” I whisper, my heart thundering in my chest.
Before I get back to my work, I glance up one last time. That big, brawny, brooding mountain man stands rooted to his spot. Staring up at my window as if he can see past the tinted glass and blinds. Maybe he can. Could this mountain man can see right through to me—andsee me, as I am, sitting here wondering who he is and why I can’t seem to look away?
If he can, I wish he’d see that justonceI want to be as bold as Bettie Buttons who would march right up to him. Just once I wish I could be as bold as the girl I draw. If I were, I wouldn’t be sitting here all alone.... wondering if hecansee me, what does he see?
Chapter Three
Pace
I am not someone who believes in fate or any sort of destiny.
Yet here I am, halfway through a workday, and I cannot get that image out of my head. Did I even see what I thought I saw? What does it mean? Was...was that beautiful woman with the big brown eyes and thick, crazy curls. The moment I saw them framing her beautiful face, I wanted to know how silky they were, if they bounced back if I tugged at them, and how they would feel wrapped around my fist.
There was no reason for me to be on that corner today. Any other day, I would have blown off the guys’ suggestion we go for some coffee. It was a bright, beautiful day with warm breezes and the smell of summer in the air. I did not want a coffee or to be gone from the station too long. For the first time since I began volunteering, I agreed to go with them.
We hit a donut shop first, the place smelling of fresh apple fritters and sweet chocolate glaze. Then came the coffee shop which was teeming with people. It was more human interaction than I am used to. I cut out of the shop with my black coffee, needing a break from everyone.
Suddenly, I felt her watching me, so I looked, and there she was.
“I will kill you if you tell anyone I am asking but,” I whisper to Jagger now, checking to be sure no one is close enough to hear us. “You happen to know who stays above the Chronicle?”
Jagger looks at me as if I’ve sprouted horns. “Uh...no. I can find out if you want me to. I am the man who knows all,” he replies with a grin,
“No. No, that’s fine. I was just...thinking about her. Iswore, earlier I thought...” Shaking my head, I trail off as I consider what to say.
How can I explain what I felt earlier without sounding a little nuts? Standing on that street corner, I locked eyes for her for a moment. There was just something...there. She stared back at me as if she felt it too. But what were we feeling? What was that strange pull I felt? It was as if I couldn’t stand the idea of leaving that corner without talking to her.
“Oh man, have you turned human all in a single day? First the fishing trip now you’ve got it bad for a woman?”
Shooting a glare at him, I shake my head again. I regret mentioning it. Yet, I know what he said is true. Jagger is the one who seems to know everything and everyone. I was desperate enough to find out about her I could not help but ask. Should I let him find out who she is for me?
“No. No, I never said that,” I argue as frustration bubbles inside me.
“But you didn’tnotsay it, did you, brother? I will find out.”
“Jagger, please do not start asking about some woman I....”
“Too late. This is happening,” he cuts me off, his grin deepening.
Blowing out a heaving sigh, I shake my head. Should have kept my mouth shut. But I could not help myself. Those big brown eyes and that small smile she gave me once she caught me staring has haunted me all day. We had a rescue after I saw her, and I was totally of my game. I couldn’t stop thinking about her and, if I am being honest, I was upset that I couldn’t.
It has been a very long time since anything distracted me from work. Been a long time since I paid attention to a woman at all. There is just something about her that has me unable to shake her. Going back to work, I am on autopilot as I let mymind wander.
Is she up there alone? Is there someone in her life or is she as alone as I am? Why was she watching us the way she was? There was such interest in her pretty eyes. More than someone seeing a group of roughnecks on the corner before their workday started. She was curious about who we are and what we do. Curious about who each of us were, why we were together.
Why do I want to be the one to answer all her questions?
“Get out of your head,” I hiss at myself as another alarm goes off.
For the rest of the day, I try to forget about her. To get out of my head. I focus on the rescues and two small fires we have to deal with. I play cards with the guys. Take Smokie out for a walk after dinner. When darkness falls, I realize I am fighting a futile fight. Istillcan’t stop thinking about her.
