Read Online Mountain Laurel by Donna Clayton - Free Book Online

me?"
    Slowly she turned to look him. "Yes," she whispered, and immediately turned back to look straight ahead. "Would you please take me home now?" The words were murmured so quietly Michael barely heard them.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    T roubled thoughts tumbled through Laurel's mind. She'd done it again. Had she lost her mind? She'd jumped all over him without knowing what was going on. What an idiot. She wasn't the kind of person who jumped to conclusions. She was level-headed. She was responsible. Laurel sighed. Knowing it was all a mistake didn't make her feel any better.
    The dashboard lights threw an eerie glow over the cab of the moving truck. Michael's pensive eyes never left the winding road. Glancing at him, she wondered if his thoughts were as jumbled as her own.
    She scowled and silently reproved herself. Why not apologize to the man and get it over with! But what if he was too angry to forgive her? Her eyes narrowed. It was too late to worry about that now.
    Looking out at the black forest, she wondered, yet again, what it was about this man that made her lose her good judgment.
    "Michael?"
    "Hmm?"
    Without looking at him, she knew his eyes were on her. "I'm really sorry."
    Silence. Seconds ticked by. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth, her heel twitching up and down in a nervous dance as she tried to gauge just how angry he was. Jumping to the wrong conclusion was one thing, but to put on a show by screaming at him in front of those people was definitely another. He had every right to be furious.
    The truck bumped along the lane that led to Jim's cabin. Michael pulled to a stop and turned off the ignition. Laurel couldn't stand the silence any longer.
    "Look, I won't be here long. And while I'm here, I'll try to stay out of your way." She opened the door and started to get out, but his hand on her arm made her stop.
    "Hold on. It's all right."
    She turned to him as he spoke. The dim porch light threw dusky shadows across his features, making it difficult for her to read his expression.
    "You're not angry?"
    "No." He shook his head. "I'm not angry."
    "But I yelled at you," she said. Looking down at her lap, she added, "Again."
    "It wasn't really your fault. You had no way of knowing." His hand tightened on her arm, urging her to stay.
    She closed the door and slid back into the seat, and then twisted her body toward him. Taking his warm hand in hers, she whispered, "You're such a nice man, Michael."
    He smiled and shook his head
    "No," she went on, "I mean it. You were right when you said earlier that I jump to conclusions. The first time I met you I had it in my mind to bang you on the shin with that tire iron—"
    "And I was sure you'd aim for my head."
    The grin in his voice gave her pause, but she continued, "And then, when you came into the house, I did think the absolute worst of you."
    His chuckle provoked a clear picture in her mind of her tight situation and she couldn't help but smile. "And I'm not even going to mention that poor little raccoon." She solemnly shook her head. "But in every instance of my stupidity you've made allowances for my behavior and forgiven me."
    He gave an exaggerated sigh. "I guess I am a pretty nice guy at that."
    A tingle skittered up her arm when he gently squeezed her hand. His grasp was friendly and warm and it felt good.
    "Michael," she said quietly, "I meant what I said. I'll try not to bother you again while we're here."
    "Oh, come on now. That's nonsense. I could show you around. I live here, you know."
    Laurel smiled and wondered why the thought of spending time with him pleased her so much. Stepping out of the truck, they walked to the cabin together.
    "In fact," he said, "we can start tomorrow. Would you like to go on a picnic? I know a beautiful place."
    "I'd love that! Thank you." The screen door creaked when he pulled it open and Laurel bent to unlock the door. "Oh," she said, straightening. "I forgot about Ginny."
    "She's welcome to come along with