She stopped wiping his face and stepped back, evidently confident his bleeding had ceased. Take off your shirt, she ordered.
What?
Bloodstains. If I dont rinse them in cold water now, theyll never come out.
His uniforms werent cheap, so he didnt have to be persuaded to do as she asked. With a few swift movements, he unbuttoned his shirt, shucked it off and handed it to her.
T-shirt, too.
He yanked the bloodstained garment over his head and tossed it to her.
Ill be right back, she said in her take-charge fashion. Light the fire, so you dont get cold. Or I can bring you a blanket.
No, thanks. Im fine.
After his unusual confrontation with the most attractive and unnerving female hed ever met, cold was the last thing he felt. However, he obligingly knelt by the fireplace and touched a match to the ready-laid logs and kindling. He could hear water running in the adjacent kitchen and the clink of dishes.
He returned to his
chair, and she re-entered the room with a tray. Thought you might like some coffee to warm you up. Its a fresh pot.
He took the mug she offered and declined a cookie from the plate she passed.
Theyre ambrosia cookies. Made them myself. Unless youd prefer some of Miss Bessies cinnamon buns Her amazing green eyes twinkled with mischief.
Cookies are fine, but Im really not hungry, he said hastily.
She smiled, an expression of such unparalleled beauty it almost took his breath away. I see youre acquainted with Miss Bessies specialty.
He returned her grin. I keep a large bottle of Maalox in my patrol car for my visits to her house. Only time I ever had a worse bellyache was from eating too many green apples when I was a kid.
She took her own mug and curled long, slender legs into the corner of the sofa nearest him, graceful as a feline. Is this an official visit, Officer?
Blackburn. He silently cursed his own thick-headedness. What kind of cop was he that the sight of a pretty woman could make him forget his duty? Dylan Blackburn.
He watched for a sign of recognition at the mention of his name, but none registered on her pretty face. Evidently he hadnt made the impression on her that she had on him that summer long ago.
And youre Jennifer Thacker.
As if hed startled her again, her head snapped up in alarm, and he was glad this time his battered nose was well out of range.
Jennifer Reid. Thackers my maiden name. How do you know that?
Miss Bessie gave me a copy of your employment application.
Why? Her eyes had taken on a hunted look, like those of a wild nocturnal animal caught in a sudden light.
Just routine. As Miss Bessies assistant, youll be helping out occasionally at the day-care center she sponsors. Our department runs background checks on everyone who works with children in this town. Just a precaution.
What kind of background check? I already gave Miss Bessie references.
We run a search of state and national computers to see if youve ever served time or have an outstanding warrant.
She relaxed at his explanation, but not much, and he wondered if she had something to hide.
The stains should be out by now. She jumped to her feet and rushed back to the kitchen as if happy to end the conversation. Again he heard water running, the slam of a door and the sound of a clothes dryer. She returned with the coffeepot and topped up his mug.
Gazing at her up close, he had a hard time reconciling the vivacious woman before him with the image of his summer sweetheart from the year he turned twelve. Young Jennifer Thacker had been cool and distant. In retrospect, he suspected her attitude had been the result of extreme shyness. But there was nothing shy about Jennifer Reid, the widow Miss Bessie had recently hired.
You dont remember me, do you? he asked.
Her hand shook slightly as she filled her own mug, and she seemed to avoid his gaze on purpose. Should I?
Maybe it wasnt as big a deal for you as it was for me.
It?
You were the first girl I ever kissed.
She retreated to her corner of the sofa. Youre kidding.
Nope. I was twelve years old and thought you were the prettiest girl Id ever seen. Especially since you wouldnt have anything to do with us locals.
Aunt Emily was very strict. I wasnt allowed much latitude. How did you manage to kiss me?
For a fleeting second, he wondered why she hadnt remembered. Her forgetting what, to him, had been a momentous event, tweaked his ego. He leaned back in the chair, enjoying his recollection. With logs popping and hissing in the fireplace, the aroma of coffee filling the air, the spectacular fall colors visible through the bay window, he couldnt remember a more perfect dayexcept the one that long-ago summer when hed kissed little Jenny Thacker.
You used to sunbathe on the dock of the place where you stayed down by the lake, he said. Like clockwork. I knew exactly when youd be there.
And you just ran up and kissed me? She raised her feathery eyebrows.
He couldnt judge whether her expression was astonishment or amusement, but the delectable curve of her lip made him long to kiss her again. A kiss she would remember this time. Realizing he was still on duty, he squashed the urge. I was only a kid, remember? And besides, Tommy Bennett bet me a dollar I was too chicken to try.