Read Online Incandescent by Madeline Sloane - Free Book Online

hello, Anna. May I sit with you? Looks
like it’s going to be a few minutes,” he said, inclining his head
towards the clerk.
    Anna put the magazine down and studied Rand’s
guileless expression. His elegant brows arched over wide,
expressive blue eyes. His nose was straight, his chin dimpled, like
her own.
    “Sure,” Anna said, sliding a chair away from
the table with her foot. “It’s my fault. I ordered a fussy drink.
Plus, she’s working alone.”
    Rand noticed the young woman behind the
counter, a hint of concern marring his expression. He scanned the
coffee shop, assessing the other patrons.
    “Looking for bad guys?” Anna asked. “Relax.
The owner is in the back. What I meant is, she’s working the
counter alone.”
    Rand shrugged. “Comes with the territory. So,
what have you been up to? I mean, since the last time we spoke.” He
grimaced, recalling the last time they’d been together was at the
burned ruins of Lacey’s house.
    After a moment’s hesitation, Anna told him
about her new position as a college instructor and the challenge of
getting all of the students to open the proper software at the same
time.
    “Sounds like an interesting job. Are you
teaching full time?”
    “Oh no. I only have a master’s degree, you
see. Colleges and universities require a Ph.D. before they hire
professors.”
    “Only a master’s degree,” Rand mocked. He
lightly touched her hand. “Stay here. Our drinks are ready.”
    He’s still a doll, she thought as he lifted
the tray and headed back to her table.
    Anna relaxed as they chatted. She recalled
how she and her friends had spied on Rand during high school. Smart
and self-assured, as a senior and running back on the football
team, Rand was a well-liked student. She fantasized about him
asking her to the prom, her heart racing every time they passed in
the halls.
    Rand hadn’t noticed the shy freshman with
braces. He noticed her now, admiring her as she sipped the hot
beverage and ate the bagel with gusto.
    “Hey, can I walk you home? It’s late. I know
the crime rate here in Eaton is low, but we don’t let ladies walk
home alone.”
    “That’s sweet of you. I have my car,” Anna
said.
    “I’ll walk you to your car.” He stood and put
a hand on the back of her chair.
    Anna rose, hefting her messenger bag. “Have
to get used to dragging one of these around again,” she said. “Ugh,
it’s heavy.”
    “Let me carry it for you,” Rand offered. He
slung the pack over one shoulder and with a gentle hand on her back
guided Anna outside the coffee shop and toward her parked car.
    “Where’s your car?”
    “It’s over there,” he said, nodding his head
at the black convertible.
    “Wow. Police work must be a lucrative
business.”
    Anna paused by her older, dented Honda.
“Well, here we are,” she said.
    “I’ll follow you home,” he said.
    “No need. It’s close by.”
    “I would feel better if I knew you were home
safe,” Rand said.
    Anna smiled her consent. He opened the car
door, dropped the bag on the passenger’s seat and waited while she
adjusted her belt before closing it. Then he disappeared. Seconds
later, Anna heard the powerful rumble of the sports car and watched
in her rear-view mirror as it swung into a U-turn and waited,
purring like a powerful animal, while she started her car and drove
home.
    Three blocks away, she parked on the street
in front of Gretchen’s apartment. The porch light glowed its
welcome. Before Anna could react, Rand grasped the handle and
opened the car door. Anna placed her hand in his, amused at his
chivalry. He reached through the opening and plucked her bag off
the seat.
    “Must get used to carrying this around,” he
reminded her. He slung it over his shoulder and walked with her to
the front porch.
    “Do you have your key?”
    “Yes, it’s in my purse.”
    “You should have it in your hand when you
step out of your car.”
    “Yes, Dad.”
    Rand moved closer to Anna, his hands
twitching to