she thought this section of town had already had the fallen trees cleared away.
“Dobbin,” she called again, her voice sounding eerie in the silent darkness.
A car came around the corner, headlights bright as it drove toward her. The car slowed when it pulled alongside her and she recognized Aaron’s rental car. He held up a terrier. Thrilled, she ran toward the car. “You have Dobbin?”
“Dobbin is my buddy now. He’s waiting for another treat.”
“Hi, Dobbin,” she said, petting the dog. “Aaron, you’re a miracle man. I’ll meet you on Mildred’s porch.”
“Get in and ride up the drive with me. I’ll hold Dobbin so he doesn’t escape.”
She laughed, thinking it was becoming more and more difficult to try to keep a wall up between them. All afternoon and this evening he had done things to make her appreciate and like him more.
She climbed into the warm car. “I’ll hold Dobbin,” she said. When Aaron released the terrier, he jumped into her lap. Aaron drove up the drive and parked.
“Come in and meet Mildred because she’ll want to thank you.”
“Here, you might as well give Mildred the bag of treats. I’ll carry Dobbin until we get to the door,” Aaron said, taking the dog from her.
On the porch Aaron rang the bell. In seconds the door opened and Mildred smiled. “You found him. Thank you, thank you.” She took the dog from Aaron and the bags of treats from Stella. “Please come in. I’m going to put him in my room and I’ll be right back. Please have a seat.”
When she came back, Stella introduced everyone. “Mildred, this is Aaron Nichols. Aaron, meet Mildred Payne.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am. Dobbin was in the next block, sitting on a porch of a darkened, vacant home as if waiting for a ride home. I had a bag of treats, so he came right to me.”
“Good. He doesn’t like everybody.”
“Mildred, we’re going back. It’s been a long day and I still have some things to do.”
“I wish you could stay. I have cookies and milk.”
“Thanks, but we should go,” Stella said. Mildred followed them onto the porch, thanking them as they left and still thanking them when they got into the car.
“Now you’ve done your good deed for today,” Stella said when he backed down the drive. “It was appreciated.”
“It was easy. I think you’ve become essential to this town.”
“No. I’m just happy to help where help is needed. And I’m just one of many helping out. The Texas Cattleman’s Club has been particularly helpful, and you and Cole have certainly done more than your fair share.”
“Your life may have changed forever because of the storm. I’m surprised you haven’t had job offers from people who saw you on television.”
“Actually, I have from two places. The attorney general’s office in San Angelo has an opening for an administrative assistant and another was a mayor’s office in Tyler that has a position that would have the title of office manager.”
“Are you interested in either one?”
“No, I thanked them and turned them down. My friends are in Royal and I’ve grown up here so I want to stay. Besides, they need me here now.”
“Amen to that. I’m glad you’re staying here because we’ll be working together and maybe seeing each other a little more since we’re both at the Cozy Inn.”
“Did you get your suite changed to the sixth floor?”
“Indeed, I did,” he said. “I’ll show you.”
“I’ll take a rain check.”
“Oh, well, it’s still early. Let’s go have a drink and a dance or two.”
She hesitated for just a moment, torn between what she should do and what she wanted to do.
“You’re having some kind of internal debate, so I’ll solve it. You’ll come with me and we’ll have a drink. There—problem solved. You think you’ll be back in Royal tomorrow night?”
“Yes,” she said, smiling at him.
When they got back to the hotel, Aaron headed for a booth in the bar. The room was darker and cozier than the dining room. There was a small band playing and a smattering of dancers.
Over a chocolate milk shake, she talked to Aaron. They became enveloped in conversation, first about the town and the storm and then a variety of topics. When he asked her to dance, she put him off until later, relieved that it did not come up again.
“Our Texas Cattleman’s Club friends want an update on the progress here. Cole is good about keeping in touch with both groups.”
“I think you’ll be surprised by how much they have rebuilt and repaired,” she replied.
“Good. I’m anxious to see for myself what’s been done.”
“You’ll be surprised by changes all over town.”
Later, she glanced at her watch and saw it was almost one, she picked up her purse. “Aaron, I have to fly out early in the morning. I didn’t know it was so late. I never intended to stay this late.”
“But you were having such a good time you just couldn’t tear yourself away,” he teased, and she smiled at him.
“Actually, it has been a good time and the first evening in a while that has had nothing to do with the storm.”
They headed out to the elevator and rode to the sixth floor. The hallway was empty and quiet as Aaron walked her to her door.
“Let me take you to the airport in the morning and we can get breakfast there.”
“No, thank you. It’s way too early.”
“I’ll be up early. It’ll save you trouble and we can talk some more. All good reasons—okay?”
She stopped at her door, getting her card from her purse. “I know you’ll get your way in this conversation, too, Aaron. See you in the lobby at six o’clock. Thanks for dinner tonight and a million thanks for finding Dobbin. That made Mildred happy.”
“It was fun. Mostly it was fun to be with you and see you again. Before we say good-night, there’s something I’ve been wanting to do since the last time we were together.”
“Do I dare ask—what have you been wanting to do?”
“Actually, maybe two or three things,” he said softly. “First, I want to kiss you again,” he said, moving close and slipping his arm around her waist. Her heart thudded as she looked up at him. She should step back, say no, stop him now, but what harm was there in a kiss? She gazed into his light brown eyes and there was no way to stop. Her heartbeat raced and her lips tingled. She leaned closer and then his mouth covered hers. His arms tightened around her and he pulled her against him.
She wrapped her arms around him to return his kiss, wanting more than kisses. She felt on fire, memories of being in his arms and making love tugging at her.
He leaned over her while he kissed her, his tongue going deep, touching, stroking, building desire. She barely felt his fingers in her hair, but in minutes her hair fell over her shoulders.
She had to stop, to say no. She couldn’t have another night like the last one with him.
“Aaron, wait,” she whispered.
He looked down at her. His brown eyes had darkened with passion. “I’ve dreamed of you in my arms, Stella,” he whispered. “I want to kiss you and make love.”
“Aaron, that night was so unlike me.”