Read Online Bayou Born (Fleur de Lis Series) by Linda Joyce - Free Book Online Page B

matchmaking.
    Had Dr. Brown created this mentor program to push Branna at him? Couldn’t be. But, if so, Dr. Brown needed to stick to college matters, he wasn’t qualified to play cupid. That arrow was bound to go astray, and someone could get seriously hurt. And, while the woman in question oozed with charm that drew him irrationally like a fish to a shiny lure, that same charm could be a Pandora’s box of trouble. Trouble he didn’t want.
    “I think this is green bean casserole,” he said, tasting the mystery food on his plate, courtesy of Branna.
    She grinned at him.
    They finished their food, and a server came to clear their plates. When the young woman reached for his, he touched her hand, trying to make it look like an accident.
    No tingle.
    No shimmer.
    No pulsing sensation.
    Nothing.
    What was the thing happening between him and Branna?
    “It’s getting late. I need to be going.” Branna started to rise.
    “One more dance?” He hooked his little finger with hers. The mere connection of a finger looped with a finger started a rhythmic pulsating beat. It made him want to run, but the attraction to stay was stronger. He needed to look up Newton’s Laws to understand the phenomena. There had to be an explanation. Otherwise, Monday could be a problem. A big one.
    No. He would put aside his personal issues and conduct himself as a professional. Helping Branna learn the lay of the land, helping her understand about the college and her job, was something he could handle with politeness. Anything more—beyond another dance tonight—was out.
    “Okay, one more dance. Are you a glutton for punishment or what?” Branna giggled. She glanced at his feet pityingly and shook her head, then maneuvered through the crowd.
    He followed, admiring the view.
    One dance turned into four.
    And he never knew the power of a scowl until that night. It kept several people from blowing his cover. But his time was running out. Soon, he had to tell her. Soon.
    “How ’bout a drink?” Branna asked, touching her fingers to her flushed cheeks.
    He caught her around the waist for one last twirl. His feet could use a break; his toes would be black and blue tomorrow. Tonight it didn’t matter.
    “I know the bartender personally. He’ll give us a free drink.” Branna winked.
    “Wine? Or Hard liquor?” He gave her a once over, trying to guess her preference.
    “Well, what do you think?”
    He studied her intently. “I think...you’re probably both. But it’s not yet a tequila night. Wine,” he finally decided.
    She laughed. “Water will do me fine. No alcohol when I drive. I’m leaving in a bit.”
    “What? The night is young!”
    “Ah, but this girl turns into a pumpkin at midnight.”
    “Don’t you have your fairytales mixed up? Cinderella fled. The coach turned into a pumpkin. I’m a guy, and I know that.”
    “I don’t think Coach,” she nodded her head in Riggs’ direction, “would appreciate knowing he might be a pumpkin at midnight.”
    “Cute. Cinderella, I’ll want another dance before I put you in your coach. Wait right here. I’ll get you that drink.”
    He wrangled his way through the crowd, grabbed two bottles of water, and returned to find Branna deep in conversation with Dr. Brown. As he approached, the glint in Branna’s eye said his identity had been revealed.
    “I see you found him, Ms. Lind. This is the guy I wanted you to meet. The one who’s been dodging me,” Dr. Brown said gruffly.
    “Yes, it does appear that I’ve found the famous Dr. James Newbern.” Branna’s grin was forced.
    “Busted,” James said sheepishly, disappointed he’d been found out. He had no excuse for being an ass. Except as long as she didn’t know who he was, he hadn’t broken his rule of no fraternization. He could get to know her freely without any expectations.
    “I believe you’ll benefit from Dr. Newbern’s assistance. The goal is to ease the transition of our new instructors.”
    Dr. Brown shook his