In Search Of A Hero. Cheryl Wolverton

want to make her uncomfortable. “Can you get the transcripts together so we can go over them some evening?”

      Clearly relieved to be on the subject of work, she pulled out her notebook and flipped through it. “That’s going to be a tall order, but, yes, if you’d like.”

      “I’d like it very much. Let’s meet somewhere quieter next time, more private, where we can spread out. Ideas?”

      Rebekkah’s brow furrowed, and she nibbled her lip before tentatively offering, “My place?”

      He knew she expected him to say no and then they’d haggle like they had over this restaurant. Instead, he nodded. “Sounds fine.”

      He hid his smile as she gaped at him. “How about tomorrow night after church?”

      “You’ll be at church?”

      “If you agree to the meeting afterward,” he replied, smiling. He normally went to a much smaller church on Wednesday night, but he found he enjoyed talking with this woman. There was so much he didn’t know about her. He’d barely scratched the surface and he found himself compelled to dig deeper, get to know her more. Missing one Wednesday night wouldn’t hurt. His friend could take over the class for that night.

      “What if I’m busy?” she challenged.

      “But you won’t be, will you, Rebekkah? Because you want me to be in church.”

      She chuckled. “It’s not my job to see you show up.”

      “Nope. But it just might go a long way to helping me heal with my father, hey?”

      She groaned.

      He chuckled. “If you can’t meet Wednesday, Rebekkah, then any day is fine. I’ll still show up Wednesday night. How’s that?”

      “Why?” she asked, true puzzlement on her face.

      “Because, Rebekkah Hawkley, you intrigue me, and though I have an engagement on Wednesdays I’ll cancel it just to spend time with you.”

      He’d done it again. The woman was gaping. Quickly recovering herself, she replied, “Wednesday is fine for a meeting. I go in late on Thursdays, running errands, so actually that would be the best day.”

      He nodded. “Great.” To himself he added, Go ahead and think by agreeing to the Wednesday meeting that you can pretend I didn’t just say I was interested in getting to know you better. However, I’m not going to let you forget.

      Crossing swords with Rebekkah was turning out to be quite fun. He found he was looking forward to peeling back another layer of the prickly woman and getting to know the female beneath.

      For the first time since leaving his father’s firm, he found his interests lay in the direction of pleasure and amusement instead of revenge.

      What an odd, odd world, indeed.