Read Online Be My Hero by Nell Dixon - Free Book Online Page B

her eyes before she got out of the car.
    â€œAm I too early?” Evan stood by his car. She felt his gaze take in her formal attire. “You look very smart.”
    â€œThank you. I’m sorry, I got held up at my appointment. The traffic was awful. Do you mind if I go in and change? I’ll feel a bit overdressed otherwise.”
    â€œYou look fine to me, but go ahead. We’ve got plenty of time before the first appointment.” He smiled at her, and for the first time that day her spirits lifted.
    â€œI promise I won’t take long.” She pulled her house key from her bag and led the way to her front door.
    â€œI thought we could get some lunch on our way to the first house.” He stepped into the hall behind her.
    â€œFine.” She was very aware of his proximity and moved away quickly down the hall, talking as she walked to cover her nerves. “How many appointments have you made?” She hung her scarf on the coat hook and carried on through into the kitchen.
    â€œI’ve three booked. Two look promising. The third one is a bit of a long shot. I didn’t find it through the agency. Actually, Jerome recommended it.” Evan leaned on the kitchen doorframe and watched her as she opened the fridge.
    â€œWould you like a drink while you’re waiting?” Her hand shook as she reached for the juice carton. She hoped he couldn’t see it.
    â€œI’m fine, thanks.”
    â€œAre they all near town?” She spilled droplets of orange on the countertop as she poured some juice into a glass. Her nerves felt shot to pieces after her appointment, and being so close to Evan in a small space wasn’t helping.
    â€œFairly near. I had to think about Polly’s school.”
    Nathalie was aware of his dark blue gaze levelled on her as she took a welcome drink of the cooling juice. All of her senses were on red alert. “Great, I’ll nip upstairs and get changed. I won’t be long.”
    â€œI’ll wait right here.” He stepped back from the doorway to allow her through.
    She scooted past, giving him a wide berth as she went by. Nathalie thought she saw the hint of smile on his lips as she headed for the stairs.
    Once safe inside her room, she took another long draught from her glass and turned to her wardrobe. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirrored door and was surprised to see two feverish spots of colour high on her cheekbones.
    â€œThis is ridiculous!” Nathalie pulled a pair of jeans and a warm sweater from the cupboard and changed in a hurry. Before she returned downstairs, she took a moment to refresh her makeup and tidy her hair, relieved to see her colour had settled back to a more normal tone.
    As she entered the kitchen, Evan turned round from his position by the window. “I was admiring your garden and watching your cat.” He nodded his head toward the window. Nathalie followed his gaze and saw Min stalking a long-dead leaf across the emerald surface of the small lawn.
    â€œMin, the scourge of leaves everywhere.” She smiled.
    Evan looked thoughtful. “Polly wants a pet. She’d like a pony, but because of her asthma, I’ve been a bit wary of letting her get too close to animals.”
    â€œWhat does her consultant say?”
    â€œHe’s left it up to me. Polly doesn’t have an allergy to animals, at least not one that we’re aware of. I’m just a bit overprotective, I suppose.”
    â€œI can understand that.” Nathalie watched Min pounce on her prey.
    â€œWell, we’d better leave if we’re going to get lunch before the first appointment. I’ve got the agents’ details in the car for you to see.”
    ****
    Evan watched Nathalie discreetly from his position at the counter while he waited to place their food order. The café was busy, considering it was the middle of the week, and as soon as a table had become free, he had insisted Nathalie