“My point is that I’ve been at the bottom of the scrum more times than I can count.I’ve had linemen’s hands in places I don’t want to think about.I’ve wrestled for the ball and accidentally grabbed a lot of different body parts.But never, have I ever, felt the urge to squeeze.”
“That’s apples to oranges,” she said.
“Yeah?Do you have a better comparison?”
“What if our positions were reversed, and you fell on top of me?”
His gaze raked her figure in appreciation.“I guess you’re right.If my hands landed anywhere soft, I’d be tempted to squeeze.”
She turned her face toward the window, flustered by his words.He knew she’d touched him on accident.He was teasing her, trying to goad her into admitting she wanted him.She supposed she deserved it for starting this stupid conversation.She vowed to keep her mouth shut for the rest of the day.
He parked by the side of the road in a remote area known as Riverbend.Meredith studied the first house on the list with trepidation.A path of destruction had torn through the center, but most of the brick exterior was intact.
“What do you want me to do?”she asked.
“Just stand by and follow my lead,” he said.
She listened carefully as he spoke to the homeowner.He jotted notes on the clipboard about family members, conditions inside the dwelling and various needs.By the time he finished, she had the script memorized.The next house had Spanish-speaking occupants.The process was the same.She didn’t understand any of it, but Wade seemed comfortable with the language.They continued past another house that was completely undamaged.Meredith marveled at the strange luck.
Wade’s phone rang as they continued on foot.He paused in the shade of an oak tree to answer it.
“No, I’m fine,” he said.“How are you doing?”Whatever was said on the other end gave him pause.He turned away from Meredith so she couldn’t see his face.“That’s great, Natalie.Congratulations.”
After a few more words, he hung up and put his phone away.
“Good news?”she asked.
He shook his head wryly, and she wondered if he’d been speaking to an ex-girlfriend.He had a forlorn look in his eyes.She was surprised by the pang of sympathy she felt.Handsome men could experience heartbreak, just like everyone else.Poor Wade Hendricks, adored by women, unlucky in love.
“I’ll take this one,” she said, gesturing to the next house.
It had sustained minimal damage.
“Do you want the checklist?”
She declined the offer, strode up to the front door, and knocked.She repeated Wade’s questions by rote.He did the paperwork, wearing a bemused expression.They finished quickly and moved on.
“You have a good memory,” he said.
“I remember what I hear.”
“Everything?Word for word?”
“Not everything, and it doesn’t stay in my brain forever.I have to focus.”
“Do you understand Spanish?”
“No.”
“So, you only heard it once.”
She nodded.
He arched a brow, and she felt heat rise to her cheeks.The day was warm, and his attention made her self-conscious.She didn’t tell him she’d developed this skill because of her inability to read fluently.
The final house on the list appeared to have been falling down before the tornado hit.It was the faded gray color of sun-bleached wood that had been painted white once upon a time.There were boarded-up windows on the upper floor.The porch railing hung askew.
“Watch your step,” Wade advised, taking her elbow.
