Page 15 of Protecting Little Phoebe

Her eyes widened. “I won’t?”

“You will not.”

“Um. Okay.”

“Good girl,” he praised her. “I also want your word that you will wear a jacket when you are outside.”

“I suppose I can do that.”

“Good.”

“Um. Yes. Good.” She rubbed her head. “Well, I guess this is goodbye.”

“Goodbye.” He forced himself to turn and walk out the door. A feeling of wrongness hit him as he stepped outside.

Why was he leaving her? Should he stay? No. There was no real reason for him to stay.

“Barren! Barren, wait!”

He turned to see Phoebe running toward him. In bare feet! What was she thinking?

“Where are your boots?” he demanded.

“I took them off. I can’t run in them. Here, you forgot your jacket.”

“You could have kept the jacket, sweetheart,” he told her, taking it. He actually liked the idea of her keeping it, wearing something from him.

“That… that wasn’t the only reason I ran to catch up with you,” she told him. “I owe you an apology.”

His eyebrows rose. “What do you mean? Why?”

“Because you apologized for calling me Little girl which means I should apologize. Because I liked it.”

“You did?” he asked.

“Yes.” She twisted her fingers together. “Are you sure it’s safe to drive? It’s getting late.”

He felt a surge of something toward her affection? Attraction? He should go. He’d packed his bags, changed his flight, and Melly was expecting him in the office in the morning. But here was this girl looking up at him with concern in her gaze. For him? Or was she nervous about staying here?

“I know you’re nervous, but the people here are going to take care of you.”

“Oh, you’re right. I’m so sorry. I’m being selfish. Please drive carefully and don’t worry about me!”

She turned away, starting to run back inside and he couldn’t stand it. He didn’t want things to end like this. With her running off from him.

“Phoebe, wait!” He half expected her to ignore him and keep running. But to his relief, she turned and stared back at him.

“Yes?”

“I’m actually tired and hungry. I thought I might stay for dinner and leave early in the morning.” He’d likely have to get up very early to make his flight. But any lack of sleep was worth it to see the smile on her face.

CHAPTER 5

What was she going to wear? Phoebe threw the clothes out of her suitcase in a rush. She didn’t look where they landed. She didn’t have time for that. She had a date.

Okay… okay… it was a… a friendship date. A thank you to her Knight in Pressed Pants for rescuing her. It was so romantic when she thought about it… but this wasn’t a romantic dinner and she needed to get that out of her head.

Chill. Calm or you’re going to make an idiot of yourself.

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