now, he once again inhaled a faint scent of her rose perfume. He helped her smooth the map out and leaned close, trying to focus on what she told him but finding it difficult to keep his attention from wandering to her so close beside him.
She showed him where they had repaired houses and finished building a new house. Stella told him about different areas on the west side of town, which had taken the brunt of the storm, the problems, the shortages of supplies, the people in the hospital. The problems seemed staggering, yet she was quietly helping, as were so many others she told him about.
He wondered if she had suffered some deep loss herself and understood their pain. He wouldn’t ask, because she probably wouldn’t want to talk about it. He didn’t want anyone to ask him about his loss and he hadn’t reached a point where he could talk about it with others. He didn’t think he ever would. The hurt was deep and personal.
“Aaron?”
Startled, he looked at her. “Sorry, I was thinking about some of these people and their terrible losses. Some things you can’t ever get back.”
“No,” she answered, studying him with a solemn expression. “Houses can be rebuilt, but lives lost are gone. Even some material possessions that hold sentimental value or are antiques—there’s no replacing them. You can’t replace sixty-year-old or older trees—not until you’ve planted new ones and let them grow sixty or seventy years. It tears you up sometimes.” She smiled at him. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re here.”
“We’ll just help where we can. To have a bed and a roof over your head is good and we need to work toward that for everyone.”
“Very good. You and Cole are a godsend,” she said, smiling at him and patting his hand.
He placed his hand on hers. Her hand was soft, warm, smooth. He longed to draw her into his arms and his gaze lowered to her mouth as he remembered kissing her before.
She slipped her hand out from under his. “I think they’re beginning to set up the dining room for tonight. I wonder if they want us to leave,” she said. Her words were slightly breathless and her reaction to him reinforced his determination to spend time with her again.
“We’re not in anyone’s way and I doubt they want us to leave.”
“I didn’t realize how long we’ve talked,” she said.
“Have dinner with me. Then I’ll give you a ride home tonight.”
“I’m still staying here at the inn until the repairs are done on my town house,” she said.
“I’m staying here, too, so I’ll see you often,” he said. She had a faint smile, but he had the feeling that she had put up a barrier. Was she trying to avoid the attraction that had boiled between them the last time they were together? Whatever it was, he wanted to be with her tonight for a time. “Unless you have other plans, since we’re both staying here, then, by all means, have dinner with me.”
There was a slight hesitation before she nodded. “Thank you,” she replied. Even though she accepted his invitation, she had a touch of reluctance in her reply and he had the feeling she was not eager to eat with him.
“Is this headquarters for you?” he asked, his thoughts more on her actions than her words.
“Not at all. I’m not in charge—just another administrative assistant from town hall helping like the others.”
“Not quite just another administrative assistant,” he said, looking at her big blue eyes and remembering her passionate responses. For one night she had made him forget loss and loneliness. “Should your town house be on our list of places to help with reconstruction?” he asked her.
“Thank you, no. The damage wasn’t that extensive, but I was pretty far down on the priorities list. I finally have the work scheduled and some of it has already started. I’m supposed to be back in my place in about a week. Thank goodness. I want to be there before Christmas.”
“Good, although I’m glad you’re staying here in the hotel because that means we can see each other easily,” he said, deciding he would get his suite moved to whatever floor she was on. “They’re setting up for tonight and I need to wash up before dinner. Want to meet again in an hour?” he asked her.
“That’s a good idea. I’ve been busy since seven this morning and I’d welcome a chance to freshen up.”
As they walked out of the restaurant, he turned to her. “What floor are you on?”
“The sixth floor. I have a suite.”
“The same floor I’m on,” he said, smiling at her.
“That’s quite a coincidence,” she said in a skeptical voice.
“It will be when I get my suite moved to the sixth floor, after seeing you to your suite.”
She laughed. “I can find my own way to my suite. You go try to finagle a suite on the sixth floor. I don’t think you can. It’s hopeless. Every available space has been taken because of so many homeless folks having their houses repaired after the storm. People reserved every nook and cranny available in Royal and all the surrounding little towns. Some had to go to Midland, Amarillo and Lubbock. We’re packed, so I don’t think I’ll see you on my floor.”
“So you approve if I can get a suite,” he said.
“I figure it won’t happen,” she answered, looking at him intently.
“Not if you don’t approve,” he said.
“I don’t want more complications in my life and you’re a wicked influence, Aaron,” she said mischievously, for the first time sounding as if she had let down her guard with him.
“Wicked is more fun and you know you agree,” he said softly, standing close in front of her. “I’ll show you tonight when we’re together.”
“Oh, no, you won’t. I don’t need you to show me one thing. We’ll have dinner, talk a little and say good-night. That’s the agenda. Got it?”
“Oh, I have an agenda. I had it the moment I walked through the door and saw you sitting there with Cole. One of the goals on my agenda is to get you to take down your hair.”
“Amazing. One of my goals is to keep my hair pinned up, so one of us is going to fail completely,” she said, her blue eyes twinkling.
Eager to be with her for the whole evening, to flirt and dance and hopefully kiss, he leaned a bit closer. “If I placed my hand on your throat, I’ll bet I’d feel your pulse is racing. You want the same thing I do. I’m looking forward to dinner and spending the evening together.”
“I’m looking forward to the evening, too, so I can talk to you more about how you and your company can continue to help with the restoration of Royal. You’re doing a wonderful job so far, and it’s heartwarming to know you’re willing to continue to help.”
“We’ll help, but tonight is a time for you to relax and catch your breath. It’s a time for fun and friendship and maybe a kiss or two to take your mind off all the problems, so don’t bring them with you. C’mon, I’ll walk you to your door,” he said, taking her arm and heading to the elevators.
She laughed. “Well now, don’t you have a take-charge personality.”
“It gets things done,” he answered lightly as they entered the elevator and rode to the sixth floor. When they got off, she walked down the hall and put her key card in a slot. As she opened the door, she held the handle and turned to him.
“Thanks, Aaron. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
“How’s seven?” he asked, placing one hand on the door frame over her head and leaning close. “It’s good to see you again. I’m looking forward to the evening.”
Her eyes flickered and he saw the change as if she had mentally closed a door between them.