Read Online Trouble in Paradise by Robin Lee Hatcher - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Robin Lee Hatcher
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Girl close to her chest, pressed her face against the puppy’s soft coat and closed her eyes, dreading the next crash that would shake the house.
And it did.
Again and again and again.
To Shayla, it seemed like the coming of Armageddon. The end of the world could be no more terrifying than this. Not to her anyway.
The wind began to howl, stirring up dust and pebbles from the barnyard, pelting the sides of the house.
Rat-a-tat-tat.
Rat-a-tat-tat.
It sounded like a machine gun. Even knowing what it was didn’t help. It was still a frightening sound, especially with her eyes squeezed shut.
That’s how Ian found her.
“Hey, what’s this?” he asked gently. “Afraid of a bit of lightning?”
She felt his arms go around her, and she allowed it. He was big and strong and safe, and she could hide her face against his broad chest instead of against the small, quivering puppy. His large, callused hand stroked her hair with surprising gentleness. He murmured comforting words while the storm raged overhead, and little by little, her terror lessened.
Except for the soft patter of raindrops upon the porch roof and the faint ticking of the clock on the mantel, all became quiet. The storm moved across the valley and beyond the eastern mountains. And yet Ian continued to hold her, his arms warm around her, his heartbeat melding with her own.
She felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. Or maybe it was the flush of pleasure. Regardless, she straightened, then stood. She didn’t want to look at him, but she knew she must.
“I…I’m sorry.”
He stood, too. “No reason to be sorry.” His gaze was compassionate, understanding.
“You must think me a terrible baby.” She brushed the tearstains from her cheeks.
“We’ve all got our private fears.”
She had the insane desire to return to the warmth of his embrace. Instead she took a step backward. “I’ve always been terrified by lightning and thunder. I don’t know why.”
“How about a cup of something hot to soothe the nerves?” He held out his hand, as if to take her arm.
She nodded in acquiescence. “I’ll put Honey in the kennel.” Then she led the way to the kitchen, thinking it better if she didn’t allow him to touch her again.
Ian had liked holding Shayla. Liked it more than caution said he should have. She’d seemed fragile and feminine in the circle of his arms, and he’d felt a strong desire to protect her and drive away her fears.
As he placed the teakettle on the burner, he recalled how her hair smelled of wildflowers. When was the last time he noticed the scent of a woman’s hair? A long, long while. That it should happen with his temporary neighbor was of some concern.
He heard footsteps and turned to see Shayla entering the kitchen.
Ian would be plumb loco if he allowed his unexpected attraction to this little, artistic-minded city gal to go any further. He needed a woman who was comfortable in Levi’s, boots and cowboy hats, a woman who could talk horses and cattle as easily as she could talk kids and cooking, a woman who knew a half-diamond hitch from a granny knot.
Shayla Vincent wouldn’t know a granny knot from a hole in the ground. He’d wager his best heifer on it.
So why didn’t that seem to matter anymore?
Chapter Six
“I never should have agreed to go,” Shayla said as she glared at her reflection in the mirror.
She hadn’t a clue what to wear to a Grange potluck. She didn’t even know what a Grange was, for pity’s sake. Regardless, she shouldn’t have chosen this dress from the clothes in her closet. It made her look short and frumpy.
Of course, she was short and frumpy. There’d never been a time when those adjectives hadn’t described her.
A glance at her wristwatch told her it was too late to change into something else. Ty was due any moment. In fact, there was the sound of a vehicle pulling into her drive right now.
Releasing a sigh of frustration, she grabbed her purse and a
And it did.
Again and again and again.
To Shayla, it seemed like the coming of Armageddon. The end of the world could be no more terrifying than this. Not to her anyway.
The wind began to howl, stirring up dust and pebbles from the barnyard, pelting the sides of the house.
Rat-a-tat-tat.
Rat-a-tat-tat.
It sounded like a machine gun. Even knowing what it was didn’t help. It was still a frightening sound, especially with her eyes squeezed shut.
That’s how Ian found her.
“Hey, what’s this?” he asked gently. “Afraid of a bit of lightning?”
She felt his arms go around her, and she allowed it. He was big and strong and safe, and she could hide her face against his broad chest instead of against the small, quivering puppy. His large, callused hand stroked her hair with surprising gentleness. He murmured comforting words while the storm raged overhead, and little by little, her terror lessened.
Except for the soft patter of raindrops upon the porch roof and the faint ticking of the clock on the mantel, all became quiet. The storm moved across the valley and beyond the eastern mountains. And yet Ian continued to hold her, his arms warm around her, his heartbeat melding with her own.
She felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. Or maybe it was the flush of pleasure. Regardless, she straightened, then stood. She didn’t want to look at him, but she knew she must.
“I…I’m sorry.”
He stood, too. “No reason to be sorry.” His gaze was compassionate, understanding.
“You must think me a terrible baby.” She brushed the tearstains from her cheeks.
“We’ve all got our private fears.”
She had the insane desire to return to the warmth of his embrace. Instead she took a step backward. “I’ve always been terrified by lightning and thunder. I don’t know why.”
“How about a cup of something hot to soothe the nerves?” He held out his hand, as if to take her arm.
She nodded in acquiescence. “I’ll put Honey in the kennel.” Then she led the way to the kitchen, thinking it better if she didn’t allow him to touch her again.
Ian had liked holding Shayla. Liked it more than caution said he should have. She’d seemed fragile and feminine in the circle of his arms, and he’d felt a strong desire to protect her and drive away her fears.
As he placed the teakettle on the burner, he recalled how her hair smelled of wildflowers. When was the last time he noticed the scent of a woman’s hair? A long, long while. That it should happen with his temporary neighbor was of some concern.
He heard footsteps and turned to see Shayla entering the kitchen.
Ian would be plumb loco if he allowed his unexpected attraction to this little, artistic-minded city gal to go any further. He needed a woman who was comfortable in Levi’s, boots and cowboy hats, a woman who could talk horses and cattle as easily as she could talk kids and cooking, a woman who knew a half-diamond hitch from a granny knot.
Shayla Vincent wouldn’t know a granny knot from a hole in the ground. He’d wager his best heifer on it.
So why didn’t that seem to matter anymore?
Chapter Six
“I never should have agreed to go,” Shayla said as she glared at her reflection in the mirror.
She hadn’t a clue what to wear to a Grange potluck. She didn’t even know what a Grange was, for pity’s sake. Regardless, she shouldn’t have chosen this dress from the clothes in her closet. It made her look short and frumpy.
Of course, she was short and frumpy. There’d never been a time when those adjectives hadn’t described her.
A glance at her wristwatch told her it was too late to change into something else. Ty was due any moment. In fact, there was the sound of a vehicle pulling into her drive right now.
Releasing a sigh of frustration, she grabbed her purse and a
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