Page 34 of An Unexpected Match

She wouldn’t offer a friendly ear in case he wanted to talk. She wouldn’t take an interest in what he was doing. And she definitely wouldn’t miss spending time with him.

Liar, her mind whispered.

She sipped her tea and plopped on the chair near the window. There was little to see in the dark summer night. The trees shaded the yard, blocking most of the starlight. The lights spilling from the house illuminated only a few feet before the dark shadows claimed the night.

Maybe he’d go on another trip and phone each night. She smiled ruefully. Was that the only way she’d get to talk to him? For a moment, she considered calling him up just to ask about his day. Would it make a difference?

Did she want it to make a difference? She had her life mapped out with no time for side trips. And this job was perfect. She'd best do nothing to jeopardize it.

On Monday, Arden put her plan into action. She went to her classes, took the girls grocery shopping and made sure the house was spotless and dinner was on the table promptly at six that evening.

She refrained from speaking directly to Brendan unless he asked her a specific question, and made sure she never made eye contact. It helped contain the fluttery feelings inside, but even without once looking directly at him during dinner, she was fully aware of his presence.

On Tuesday, she and the girls took a picnic lunch to a park while the cleaning crew took care of the house. She delayed painting on the mural until Wednesday, when they’d have time to clean up before Brendan arrived home. Dinner was perfect when again they ate on his time schedule. Once or twice during the meal she felt Brendan’s gaze on her, as if puzzled. But she devoted her attention to the children and did her best to ignore him and the sensations that seemed to escalate every time she was around him.

By Thursday afternoon Arden was going slowly crazy. Sitting in the backyard while the girls played tag, she leaned against one of the trees and closed her eyes. The stress of following the strict schedule was driving her nuts. And did it matter? Brendan probably hadn’t even noticed. Or cared.

Every night this week he’d been home in time for dinner, and then spent the evening in his den working. He was missing valuable time with his daughters.

Not that they seemed to find anything amiss. Was that their normal pattern? See their daddy at meals and the rest of the time stay out of his way?

She felt isolated and cut off. What had happened? He’d kissed her. They’d almost kissed last Saturday when baking. She’d asked a couple of questions, but nothing earth-shattering.

It wasn’t too much to expect some quiet adult conversation in the evenings, was it? At least at mealtime. Surely he talked with Ella.

Arden’s heart began pounding. Maybe her technique was faulty. Maybe she should encourage conversation between father and daughters and gradually introducing conversation between themselves.

She wanted to know more about Brendan, how he thought, what he felt. How he had made hostage rescue and high-level security a life’s work. What plans and dreams he had for his daughters.

And she couldn’t deny that shimmering awareness. At first, it had come when he entered the room. Now, she had only to think about him and it manifested itself. Was it only one-sided?

People kissed for different reasons. What were Brendan’s reasons for kissing her?

Did he want to kiss her again?

“I’m tired, Arden,” Avery said, coming to sit down beside her and leaning against her.

“I guess so, sweetie. It’s way past nap time. Want to take it out here in the shade today?”

Avery looked around. “Outside?”

Arden laughed and hugged the darling child. “Why not? I’ll bring out a nice blanket and spread it out here in the shade. You can sleep right here beneath this nice tree. I’ll lie down with you.”

“And Hailey?”

“Yes, and Hailey.”

“What?” Hailey asked, running over to drop to her knees beside her sister.

“We’re going to take a nap here in the shade, won’t that be fun?” Arden told her.

“In a tent?” Hailey looked around.

“No, darling, not in a tent. Right here in the open. We’ll spread a big blanket and each get a pillow. We can look up at the leaves before we fall asleep.”

Hailey looked around again. “I never slept outside before,” she said slowly.

“Then we’ll have a new adventure,” Arden said with a laugh.

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