Page 62 of A Little More

“Mornin’. Just came by to see what the damage was to the store.” He hitched a thumb toward Junior. “Ran into Junior at the diner and asked him to drive me out here.”

“I’m curious to see for myself.” She took a step toward the field and the water running three feet deep in the culvert that separated it from the road. Nash grabbed her arm at the same time as Junior.

She jerked her arms away from both men.

Junior let go.

Nash didn’t.

Her eyes narrowed. Her mouth pinched tight like she gathered steam before laying into him.

Old Dale cackled and muttered, “firecracker,” under his breath.

Nash resisted the urge to lean closer. “If you lose your footing, Lexi, that water will suck you right under. I know it looks shallow, but it’s runnin’ quick.” He waited while she assessed the danger for herself. She might think she could jump or wade across, but it wouldn’t end well if she didn’t make it.

Her jaw clenched, lips twisted to the side. It took everything she had to contain her tongue-lashing.

He loved seeing her fired up, but now, with the two men watching their every move, she needed to keep it cool. That was her rule. Not his.

“Besides, you don’t need to walk around the job site right now.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, finally meeting his eyes. “Why not? I don’t care if my feet and pants get wet.” She picked one up. “They’re about soaked as it is. The electricity is turned off.”

“Right, but I can assure you that these floodwaters displaced several critters.”

Old Dale nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Already watched one moccasin go swimming on by in that water you were fixin’ to jump over.”

“Moccasin? As in…”

“A snake,” Junior added with a smirk and demeaning tone in his voice that flat out pissed Nash off.

Nash took a step, ready to let Junior know it, but he still gripped Lexi’s elbow, and she nudged him to stay back.

Nash released the strength of his grip, hoping he hadn’t left any marks on her arms, but until he’d said the word “snake” her body had been coiled as tight as one about to strike. Either strike at him or jump to get away from him into the water.

“It’s hard to tell the damage from this far out.” Lexi shifted away from Nash and crossed her arms.

Junior shoved his hands in his pockets. “You qualified to assess the damage?”

Nash suppressed a grin as she shot her daggers toward the young guy. Junior was cocksure if nothing else. Even worse since he’d finally taken Gina out on a couple dates.

“Let’s get you back to your mama, Junior, before you end up missing in these floodwaters.” Dale passed by them on his way to his truck. “Even God felt the need to let a flood destroy everything he’d built. Sometimes starting over is the only path to seeing a rainbow.” He patted Nash on the back. “The lady seems to know what’s she’s talking about. I wouldn’t worry too much.”

“Thanks, Dale.” He’d never doubted Lexi’s abilities. But he didn’t want her to get hurt surveying a work site when there wasn’t anything to be done until it dried out.

Lexi sloshed through the cold water as she paced. “This isn’t good.”

“I know. We need that water to recede. The new walls need to dry before they rot.”

She stopped in front of Nash, her annoyance aimed his way once again. “Not only is your store threatened, but I won’t have a job if that damn kid goes off and runs his mouth about me being here.”

“He doesn’t know.”

She motioned to her outfit. “I’m wearing your shirt, Nash. It’s ten-thirty in the damn morning. You held onto me like, like—”

“Like I didn’t want you to get hurt?”

“He knows. Okay. I could see the way he looked at us. I’d like to knock that damn smirk off his face.” She shoved her hands in her pockets, pacing again through the puddled water. “I just know this isn’t going to end well. You see it, too. I can tell by that look on your face.” Her jeans were dark up to her knees, not that she noticed. She stopped abruptly. “I need to leave.”

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