said you were looking for work in Portland. What kind of work?”
“Computer graphics. I have a degree in commercial arts, and I want to work in advertising. I don’t suppose you can help?” Her tone had suggested she didn’t have much hope of him being any help at all.
He turned into the busy parking lot of the mall and nosed the car into a space before answering. Remembering his enormous debt to her father, he said cautiously, “I might be able to help. A couple of my clients are execs in big corporations. I could sound them out for you, but I can’t make any promises, of course.”
“Of course,” Amy said solemnly.
He cut the engine and looked at her. She smiled at him, unsettling his belly again. “Thank you, J.R.,” she said softly. “I owe you one.”
To cover his confusion he said a little too sharply, “Don’t thank me yet. Nothing may come of it.” He opened the door and climbed out, beginning to wish he hadn’t made the offer. She was bound to be disappointed with him when it didn’t work out.
Amy was already out of the car when he rounded the trunk to the other side. She stood gazing at the medley of stores, her eyes wide. “Wow, this is a big mall.”
“You should find what you need here.” He gestured at the department store straight ahead. “I know this one has some fairly decent prices. I’d try there first. I’ll meet you back at the car in an hour, okay?” He glanced at his watch.
“Oh, but I thought you were coming with me!” Her green eyes mesmerized him again. “I need someone to give me opinions on colors and patterns and stuff.”
“I don’t know anything about colors and patterns and…” He cleared his throat again. “Get one of the salespeople to help you. After all, that’s what they’re there for.”
“They’re too prejudiced. Besides, they’ll suggest the most expensive stuff.” To his dismay she linked her arm in his. “Come on, J.R., I promise it won’t take long.”
Without waiting for his answer, she dragged him toward the store. Short of digging in his heels and snatching his arm away, he was obliged to go with her.
Once inside the store, Amy dashed from department to department, holding up sheets and towels for his inspection.
Plagued by visions of her wrapped in a fuzzy yellow bath towel and snuggling under green striped sheets in that “comfy” bed, George’s mouth felt dry as he nodded at almost everything she held up. If someone had asked him afterward, he wouldn’t have remembered one thing that she bought. All he could think about was how soon he could get out of there.
Much as he hated to admit it, he felt manipulated again. Damn his mother for getting him into this. But as long as he was committed, at least for a while, he would make sure that Amy understood that this time around, he called the shots. This was his town, and his life, and if she wanted him to help her settle in, she’d have to let him lead. He was in charge.
The idea cheered him up immensely. He’d get a great deal of satisfaction in letting Amelia Richard know that he was no longer the shy, ineffectual, clumsy oaf, perpetually tongue-tied whenever she showed up. Events had come full circle, and now it was his turn to be in command of the situation. And he’d be a lot kinder about it than she had been.
Loaded down with packages, he staggered after Amy as she headed for the doors of the store which led out into the enclosed mall. “The car’s the other way,” he said, trying not to pant as she paused in front of him.
“I have one more really quick stop,” she said, looking apologetic for once. “You don’t mind, do you, J.R.?”
When she gazed at him like that and called him J.R., it was difficult to deny her anything. He hauled the packages higher and did his best to make them seem featherweight. “All right, as long as it’s just one more. I really do have to get home.”
Her smile seemed to take a few pounds off his burden. “You’re an angel. It’s just down here. I saw it on the directory.” She sprinted off again and disappeared into the depths of a small shop tucked between a shoe store and one selling sporting goods.
He paused at the display of sporting goods in the window, his mind busily working out a schedule for Amy’s tour. Absorbed in his thoughts, he moved on to the entrance of the shop, only to freeze in the doorway when he realized he was about to enter Victoria’s Secret.
Before he could back out again Amy caught sight of him. She waved something at him, calling out loud enough for everyone to hear, “Hey, J.R., what do you think of these?”
Blood rushed to his cheeks when he saw the scrap of purple lace dangling from her fingers. He noticed faces turning his way and cursed himself for not paying attention to where he was going. He stumbled backward out of the doorway and waited outside the sporting goods store, furious at himself, his mother and Amy. Especially Amy. She’d made him feel like that gauche, awkward teenager again. If she’d been anyone else but Ben Richard’s daughter, he’d tell his mother to find someone else to watch over her precious Amelia.
Inside the lingerie store Amy hurriedly made her purchases. After seeing the look on Georgie’s face, she felt bad about embarrassing him. She certainly hadn’t meant to make him uncomfortable. She just had to remember that not all men were as lecherous as her four brothers.
His face still appeared stern and unapproachable when she joined him outside the store. Ignoring the frosty gleam in his dark eyes, she said brightly, “I’m all done. You can take me home now.”
He flicked his gaze across her face, then away. “What about your groceries?”
“I noticed a convenience store a couple of blocks from the apartments. I’ll walk over there later.” She took one of the packages from him. “I’ll just order in a pizza or something for dinner.”
He marched along by her side without speaking until they were out in the parking lot. Just before they reached the car he said quietly, “You shouldn’t be eating alone in your apartment your first night in town. It will take you a while to settle in. I’ll take you out to dinner, if you like.”
Surprised by this unexpected gesture she smiled up at him. “Really? That would be wonderful! I’d love that!”
He nodded, and she was relieved to see the harsh lines of his face softening. He really was a good-looking man when he wasn’t scowling. And so sweet and thoughtful, too. It was really too bad he hadn’t stayed in Willow Falls. Maybe if he had, she wouldn’t be in the mess she was in now.
“There’s a good seafood restaurant over there,” George said, as they pulled off the freeway headed for home. “They do an excellent crab dinner.”
Amy shuddered. “Sorry, I don’t like crab.”
He looked at her in amazement. “Everyone likes crab.”
“Not when it makes you erupt in ugly red blotches all over your body.”
Something flickered in his eyes and his voice sounded a little husky when he said, “They serve other foods as well.” He took a hand off the wheel to gesture at the window. “There’s a really good steak house if you prefer steak.”
“I try to stay away from red meat.” Aware she was sounding picky, she added hurriedly, “I like chicken and fish, though.”
“Except crab.”
She gave him a weak smile. “Sorry.”
“Chinese?”
She shrugged. “Not really.”
His breath came out a little forcefully. “All right, I’ll take you to an excellent downtown restaurant. They have an extremely varied menu and a great wine cellar. I’m sure you’ll find something you like there.”
“It sounds great. Thanks, J.R. It really is nice of you to go to all this trouble.”
She