Read Online Creighton's Hideaway by LoRee Peery - Free Book Online

throat.
    “What now?” she choked out as she lowered the bread to the edge of her plate.
    “Nothing. Except once in a while you remind me of the good times Rita and I used to have, just the two of us.”
    But you never fixated on her mouth.
    “Just the two of you?” She was curious about Tom and what caused the dark look that had crossed Creighton’s face earlier at the mention of his brother.
    “Uh huh. For a couple of years when we were both in college.”
    “So, your purpose in life then was feeding her like your purpose now seems to be feeding me,” she challenged.
    “Oops. You’re onto me.”
    Studying his mouth in turn sparked a fire that had nothing to do with food.
    “She’d get busy and forget to eat, sometimes. But I have to admit, you’re a prettier purpose than my sis.”
    Shana felt her cheeks heat up and concentrated on cutting a piece of potato. She didn’t look up again until her bowl was more than half empty and Creighton was refilling his. When she glanced back at him, she met his grin.
    “Are you daring?” he asked.
    “Excuse me?” What could he have in mind?
    “I dare you to a game of Scrabble.” He lifted his brows a couple of times in a challenge to rival any silent film villain’s.
    Now it was her turn to grin. She coyly lifted her eyebrows right back at him. “I’ve played a game or two.” Shana finished her stew and leaned back in the chair.
    While Creighton ate his second helping, she roamed the large common room. She approved of the open area: kitchen, dining, and living all in one. Contrasting types and hues of wood were masculine, yet neat and appealing. A lovely quilted wall hanging invited her into a wooded glade with pine trees, accented by a winding creek. Whoever had done the work knew Creighton’s world.
    Curious about the book laid face down on the couch, she excused herself and went to see what he was reading. A western. She recognized the name of the author. Her fingertips trailed the back of the couch as she walked to the end table. A thick, well-used study Bible and notebook made her pause.
    “Answer.”
    She jumped at Creighton’s voice just above her ear. She had no idea he was so close.
    “I do topical studies. Last night I was searching the Bible for the word ‘answer.’ I especially like the verse in the Psalms, where David sought the Lord and God answered him.”
    Shana shifted her body so she could look up at him without hurting her neck. Her shoulder brushed Creighton’s chest. She didn’t have a clue what was in the Bible.
    God answers? He solves problems? Where were His answers for all the troubled youth she met professionally?
    Creighton seemed to wait for her response, but he said nothing. Could he read the questions she needed answers for, just by looking at her?
    “Ready for that Scrabble game?” His voice was so deep it traveled through her.
    She rubbed chill bumps in an attempt to wipe away the sudden thrill as it flowed through her torso.
    “I agree. The temperature seems to be dropping.” Creighton moved. “I’ll start a fire.”
    If she was prone to pray, she’d ask for a reprieve and scurry home like a frightened rabbit.
    A game. It’s only a board game.
    A man. He’s just my best friend’s brother.
    Thankful that he thought her shiver was from the cooling air, she all but jumped when he asked her to get the Scrabble game from the drawer on the right side of the TV cabinet.
    She followed his instructions while he continued to orient her and work on the fire. “Feel like sitting on the floor? We can use those giant pillows for backrests.”
    Shana located the game board, placed the dark brown pillows on the floor in front of the couch, and had the letter tiles all face down in the box lid by the time Creighton finished with the fire.
    “Ladies first.” His hand waved in her direction.
    She drew the letter A so he didn’t even try for his turn at drawing a letter. Then she replaced the tile and selected her seven