Nate Kellison pulled a blue ball cap from his back pocket and slipped it into place over his head. The letters CBFD, embroidered in white, stood out in sharp contrast against the dark material. Neat and tidy and in control. Lordy. Wasnt this going to be fun?
His fingers brushed against her arm. Shall we?
Feeling betrayed by the heat that rushed to her elbow in response to his touch, Jolene headed toward the door. But she didnt get a chance to escape.
Kellison pried the med kit from her hand and reached around her to open the door. Jolene spun around, narrowly avoiding bumping into his chest. Im not an invalid. I can take
Her words stopped as abruptly as she had. He wasnt an extraordinarily tall man, maybe six feet, like her father. But up close like this, with her eyes mere centimeters from his chin, his arm circling around her without quite touching her, he seemed much bigger, stronger than his lean build would indicate. Her pulse tripped a beat. She stood close enough that her nose could detect he wore no cologne, no aftershave. But the clean, distinct smells of soap and man addled her thinking long enough that she didnt finish her sentence.
Im sure you can, he answered for her. Im just following your fathers orders.
Her gaze was automatically drawn to the tense line of his lips, which softened as he spoke. But the air outside the open door gusted, blowing a fine mist against her skin. The chilly dampness took the edge off her indignant temper and cooled the sensation of heat radiating from his body into hers.
Jolene backed up a step and tilted her chin. Why dont you like me, Mr. Kellison?
She reached out to retrieve the med kit, but his grip tightened around the handle and wouldnt budge. I dont know whether I like you or not, Jolene. I dont even know you.
She pulled her hand away and crossed her arms. And yet you keep looking at me with the judgment of Solomon in your eyes.
Do I?
Yes. And its very disconcerting.
Then Ill quit looking. Jolenes heart raced as he stared at her for an endless moment, searching her face as ifas hed promisedthis was to be his last look and he wanted to remember every ordinary detail.
Finally the scrutiny was too much and she lowered her gaze to the triangle of white cotton T-shirt that showed beneath the unbuttoned collar of his uniform. Mr. Kellison. Youre staring again.
She was suddenly aware that her lip gloss had gone the way of her roll and milk. She hadnt taken the time to put on any other makeup that might give her some semblance of feminine beauty. The maternity overalls she hadnt fully grown into hung like a sack from her shoulders, hiding what little figure she did have.
Still, the intensity of his look made her think he saw something else in her. Something that made her wish
Jolene started as he tapped the point of her chin with one blunt fingertip and urged her gaze back up to his. But there was nothing romantic or even reassuring in the familiar gesture. He just wanted her attention.
My mistake, he said, his voice devoid of emotion. Ill haul. You drive.
The imprint of his touch remained when he pulled away. He glanced over his shoulder as he turned and strode out into the rain. And its Nate.
CHAPTER THREE
THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON?
Hell. Just what had he revealed in his unabashed study of Jolene Kannon-Angel? Those true blue eyes of hers were pretty hard to ignore, especially when they were focused his way. Nate thought hed sensed trouble, and his instinct had been to find the source, to do what he could to help.
And thenwell hell, even when she turned on that attitude, it was hard to look away. Hed dated prettier women, made friends with decidedly less-complicated ones. But Jolene?
Instincts of self-preservation told him to walk a wide berth around her smart mouth and pregnant belly. But something elsemaybe the old soul inside him that had seen too much pain and death in twenty-nine yearswarned him to stick close and do whatever he could to keep her and her baby out of trouble.
Why dont you like me?
He honestly couldnt say whether he liked her or not. Theyd known each other for barely more than an hour.
He hated the distance she insisted on putting between themdefiant glares, refusing to call him by his given name. He wondered what the heck she had against the people of California.
There were things he did like about her. He liked the color of her eyes, liked discovering that her skin felt every bit as smooth and creamy as it looked. He liked watching her soft pink lips move when she talkedand she talked a lot. He liked that she was so loyal to her father and hometown.
But he thought Texans were pretty damn foolish to let their pregnant women work in dangerous situations. Yeah, they were shorthanded in Turning Point, and could use all the help they could get. But if that help was a headstrong female like the willowy blond driver sitting across the truck from him, barreling over the rutted gravel roads west of town as if she was trying to lap the competition in a road rally, then he definitely had a problem with how they handled things down here in Texas.
Thats what he didnt like.
Solomon would surely agree.
Nate bounced off his seat at the next bump, then came back down, relaxing his posture to absorb the jolt. Hed had smoother rides on the back of a bull during his competition days. He adjusted the shoulder strap of his seat belt and let his gaze slide across the trucks tweedy upholstery to double-check for the umpteenth time that Jolene was wearing hers as well.
Deliver a baby? Right. Theyd be damn lucky if they reached the Rock-a-Bye Ranch without having to radio in for a tow truck or ambulance themselves.
Crazy Texas woman.
She could learn a thing or two about patience and wisdom from Solomon.
Are we trying to set a new record? he ventured to ask. Cross-country racing at warp speeds? Testing how long it takes to completely destroy the undercarriage on your truck?
Ha. Ha. So you do have a sense of humor. Her long ponytail bobbed across her shoulders as she darted a look at him. Too bad its not an amusing one.
Eyes on the road, Andretti.
She faced forward. Its Jolene.
Ha. Ha. He took the verbal payback like a big boy. But her speed did slow a fraction.
If he used his imagination.
He kept his hand braced on the armrest, but settled back into his seat to ride this out. The rain was picking up in intensity, cutting down visibility with every mile-post they passed. It wasnt a full-blown storm yetthe drops still fell in straight sheets and the clouds hadnt charged enough to create visible lightning. But judging by the gray-green squall line he could see closing in behind them in the sideview mirror, it was only a matter of time before something truly serious hit.
Maybe Mitch Kannons internal radar was right. Hurricane Damon might be turning.
All the more reason to pick up Mrs. Browning and her boys and get them and Jolene back to safety at the evac shelter.
With the brim of his cap shading his eyes, Nate glanced over to study the determined set of Jolenes profile. You know, you wont save anybody if we dont get to the ranch in one piece.
Her sleek shoulders stiffened, no doubt taking the gentle suggestion as criticism. You heard what Sheriff Boone said on the radio. The highway is backed up halfway to Chapman Ranch. Theyre going to start rerouting folks through Bishop, and then both of the main roads into town will be slow. Id like to get Lily and her boys to the high school, where someone can help take care of them after the baby arrives. I do not want to be stuck in traffic. I hate sitting still when I know theres something I could be doing to help.