Wow was an understatement. Matts piercing blue eyes, Colgate-perfect smile and broad shoulders had only been the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Holly gaped at the man who could have been an L.L. Bean model in another life.
Ryans khaki slacks rode low on Matts hips, and hed combed back his damp, collar-length hair from his now clean-shaven face. His narrow feet were bare, and the crisp scent of soap wafted to her from where he stood.
Matts brow furrowed. Something wrong?
Uh, no. IyouWow. I barely recognize you!
Matt smoothed a hand down the front of Ryans old blue polo shirt. Thanks for the clothes. Youre sure you want to give them up?
Theyre not doing me any good in his closet. Someone should use them. Why not you? She let her gaze take in the breath-stealing sight he made once more, then cleared her throat. They seem to fit well.
He tugged
at the waist of the slacks and nodded. Darn close. Thanks. When he glanced up again, the vivid blue of his eyes, such a stark contrast to his dark hair and tanned skin, hit her with the force of a fist in the gut.
So bright, so clear, so piercing. Yowza.
His eyebrows lowered as he frowned. Hey, youre bleeding.
Huh? She glanced down at her hands and saw the blood smeared on her finger. Oh, thats nothing. I
He moved across the kitchen, his gait smooth and loose limbed. Taking her hand in his, he brought her cut finger up to eye level for inspection. Her pulse thrummed at his touch, and the soapy-clean scent that clung to him teased her nose and left her light-headed.
Do you have some antibiotic cream or hydrogen peroxide for this? We should clean it.
Holly snatched her hand back and flashed a nervous grin. Um, yeahIll get it.
Drawing deep breaths to calm herself, Holly hurried to the laundry room to fetch her first-aid kit.
How old are your kids?
Captivated by the melodic quality of his deep voice, Holly didnt immediately register the question hed asked until she returned from the back room and handed him the kit. Im sorry. What?
He motioned to her refrigerator, covered with the artwork of young hands. I asked about your kids. I saw the drawings and various other cartoon-themed stuff around the house and was wondering about your family.
Oh, IThe kid stuff is actually mine. You know the saying, Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional? Thats me. A big kid. When he quirked an eyebrow and an amused grin, her cheeks heated, and she returned a sheepish smile. But I think my active inner child helps me relate better to my students. The drawings are from my class. I teach kindergarten at Pine Grove Elementary. She paused, a stab of regret pricking her heart before adding, I dont have any kids of my own.
Im sorry. I didnt mean to bring up a touchy subject. His soft tone washed over her like a balmy breeze. I just assumed He frowned as he dabbed antibiotic ointment on her cut. But I should know better than anyone not to assume anything, he added under his breath.
She lifted a curious gaze to study the knit in his brow as he worked on her finger. What do you mean by that? That you know better than anyone about assumptions?
His gaze collided with hers, and she held her breath, mesmerized by the emotions that flickered across his face in rapid succession. Just thatunsubstantiated assumptions can lead to trouble. False presumptions, my own and other peoples, pretty much destroyed my old life.
A swarm of questions buzzed in Hollys brain. Perhaps, like bees, the questions were better avoided. Matts history was his own business, not hers.
Hollys heartbeat thudded a noisy cadence in her ears as Matt deftly wrapped a plastic Scooby Doo bandage around her cut finger. There. All done.
As he returned the first-aid items to the box and clicked the clasp in place, curiosity got the better of her. What happened, Matt? How did you end up on the street?
His gaze snapped up to hers, bright with emotion. For long seconds, he didnt answer. He held her stare, his breathing shallow and uneven. As if he felt trapped. Panicked. Edgy.
Had she pushed too far? Crossed a boundary she shouldnt have?
Finally she broke the spell of his steady gaze and turned away. Forget it. Its not my bus
It was more a chain of events really. Like dominoes falling, one thing led to another until I had nothing left, he murmured, the distant look in his eyes telling her that his mind was back in that place and time when his life took a nosedive. Seeing the pain that dimmed his expression, she regretted her nosiness.
My life became a runaway train, picking up momentum as it careened toward a final crash and burn. I couldnt do anything to stop it.
A viselike ache wrenched Hollys lungs, and empathetic pain flowed through her body.
Im so sorry, she whispered, her voice hoarse. She reached for Matts hand, wanting him to know she understood loss, if not the full extent of his story.
When her fingers brushed his, then squeezed, Matts gaze darted back to hers. He pulled his hand away, slowly shaking his head. Its my own fault. None of this would have happened if Id realizedIf Id known A muscle in his jaw jerked as he clenched his teeth and sucked in a sharp breath. It all started when my wife diedwhen Jillkilled herself.