“Would you like a coffee, or do you want to get some more sleep?”he asked, realizing it was still early for most people.
“A coffee would be amazing.I could make us some breakfast,” she said pushing her long sleeves up and revealing a dainty flower tattoo on the inside of her forearm, and he spotted another one on her right hand that looked like a quill.
“I usually just start with a coffee but help yourself to whatever you like.”
His T-shirt hung down past her bottom, but he could still see her curves and wondered how she’d fit if he pulled her into him.
A blush creeped into her cheeks, and he suspected she caught him ogling her.He needed to get out more and find someone to help relieve his sudden teenage boy reaction to a woman in his home.
“I feel really bad intruding on you.I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“It’s fine.We were basically in a state of emergency last night.You may want to let your family know you’re safe.”
“Oh shoot, you’re right.I mean at least Pops will be wondering where I am.”She suddenly looked around for something.“Do you know where I put my bag?”
“I think your luggage is still by the front door.”
“Oh no, I forgot to grab my purse from my truck.”
“Do you want to use my phone?”
“This is really embarrassing—I think I was so scared you’d leave me in that truck I just grabbed my work bag and forgot my other stuff.”
Wesley slid his phone over to her at the counter.
She looked at it but then started to laugh.“I don’t know anyone’s phone numbers.I literally am impossible.”
“I don’t have your dad or brother’s numbers.Sorry.”
“Oh, they’re not worried about me, but I need to call my granddad.He was expecting me today and he’ll be really worried with the storm.”
“You’re close with Old Man Shepherd, but not your parents?I thought you said you were headed to Beach Boulevard last night.”
“I was going to stay at the inn but when they were full, I figured I would stay with my parents instead.”
“Huh, well your grandfather doesn’t live as far as Beach Boulevard but he’s still too far from here in this storm.”
“He’s the only reason I came home.I bet he’s worried.”
Wesley pulled up something on his phone and then showed her.“This is an internal phonebook we have at the sheriff’s department.We use it to keep residents informed about emergencies or local traffic.It looks like your granddad opted in, so I have his number.Is it too early to call him?”
“No, he’ll be up studying this storm, for sure.May I?”
She reached her hand out to him and a jolt of something passed between them as her smaller hand touched his.She accepted the phone from him and smiled.
“Tell your grandfather I said hello.”
She smiled and hit the call button but stayed in the kitchen close by.
“Hi, Grandad—it’s Shelby.I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner.I got stuck in the storm but I’m in Sandy Point and as soon as it clears, I’ll be out to see you.”Her face was lit up with a big smile.
“No, I didn’t get arrested, I actually got stranded and Sheriff Hart rescued me… Yes, that young man.I know, he’s quite large now.”
She turned away but Wesley noticed her posture relax, as if just the sound of her grandfather’s voice put her at ease.He was surprised to learn she was closer with her grandfather, who must be in his eighties, than her parents and brother.But it moved her up a notch as a Shepherd.
“He says hello.I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to deliver me to you once the storm passes.Have you been watching the radar?”
Her laugh was intoxicating, and he wondered what her grandfather said to make her smile so much.She fiddled with her cup of coffee he set on the counter for her, and he waited.Instead of giving her privacy he leaned on the counter and watched her, taking in how comfortable she looked in his oversized clothes.
