Page 41 of Air Of Mystery
“Yes.” He nodded. “I run the discussion group on Tuesdays.”
“Let me give you a hand,” I said impulsively and took the top box from him.
He stood there blinking at me, clearly surprised at my offer.
“After you,” I said, falling into step beside him as he started down the sidewalk.
“Have you ever volunteered with veterans before?” Charlie asked.
“No,” I told him.
“This isn’t some Hallmark Channel type of thing, Skye. It won’t be all pretty and polished.”
“I can handle it.”
“A few of the vets are homeless,” he explained. “We try and get them into shelters or programs but a few refuse. It’s hard for them to trust.”
“I have run across more than my share of homeless individuals while investigating, Charlie. It’s fine.”
He gave me a hard side-eye. Clearly, he thought I’d bail once I got inside, and that only made me more determined to help him.
Which is how I found myself standing beside Charlie and passing out cookies and muffins to the veterans. I thoroughlyenjoyed myself for the next hour chatting everyone up. There were all different types of veterans there. Men and a few women, both young and old. Some came for the camaraderie, others because they could get a meal, and some came for the discussion groups.
Once Charlie began his group, I quietly tidied up the area where the food had been served and tucked the lids back on the boxes so the pastries would stay fresh. I nodded to Charlie and slipped out so as not to disturb his discussion.
Seeing Charlie working with the other veterans had tugged at me. By the goddess, it would be way too easy to fall for him all over again.
“It’s never going to happen,” I muttered to myself. “He hasn’t blown up my phone or made any sort of a move...and I’m obsessing over him. Again.” Blowing my bangs out of my eyes, I headed back to the bakery to grab myself a scone or something. Drowning my frustration in sugar and carbs might not be the smartest idea, but at that moment it was all I had.
On the day of Brynn’s bridal shower, I arrived early to the Marquette Mansion. I pulled up to the hotel’s parking lot, congratulated myself on finding a spot close to the entrance, and parked. Going around the back of my car, I popped my trunk so I could begin to unload. Kenna was due to arrive with the desserts in an hour and a half, and Cordelia was bringing our mother with her as our parents were staying with Tim and Cordelia at their new house.
Today I was wearing a black floral midi dress that had fall leaves and fruit printed over the material. The dress had a square neckline and a long slit up one leg for easier movement. I’d worn it with a pair of flat black sandals as I expected to be on my feet for hours. After slinging my purse over my shoulder, I began to stack and then lift the covered food containers.
Before I could take a step, a pair of male hands reached past me and a familiar voice said, “Let me give you a hand.”
“Hi, Charlie.” I figured there’d be a chance of seeing him today, and as usual the man looked scrumptious. I eyeballed him from behind my mirrored shades and felt the same pang of regret, as ever.
“I’ve been watching out for you,” he said.
My stomach jumped at his innocent words. However, I knew that he meant he’d been watching so he could help bring everything in. In the same way he would assist Kenna with the dessert boxes when she arrived.
“Happy for the help,” I said, doing my best to keep it casual and friendly. “This way I can haul everything in faster.” When he started to walk the food inside, I scooped up the bags of decorations, snagged my wrapped gift, and managed to close the trunk with my elbow.
Walking toward the entrance, I saw that he stood, waiting. Tall, buff, blonde and handsome, he was holding the door open for me with an elbow and smiling. My heart stuttered in my chest a bit, and I silently scolded myself for the reaction. We walked through the entrance and headed toward the smaller event space, and I lectured myself the entire way as I followed him.
Silently reminding myself that it wasn’t polite to ogle his butt…
Still, as hewasa few paces ahead of me, I couldn’t help but admire that backside. Those khaki slacks somehow showed it off to perfection.
Once we walked into the space, I was pleased to find that as I’d requested, the staff had set up two long tables for the food on one side of the room, while the chairs and white tablecloth covered rounds for the shower guests took up the rest of thespace. A single club chair was centered in front of the fireplace so Brynn could open her gifts within sight of everyone.
I took my wrapped gift directly to the stone hearth of the fireplace and set it down. Then I placed the bag of decorations on the nearest round table. “Thanks,” I said as he placed the food containers on a long banquet table.
“Do you need me to stay and help set up?” he asked.
I peered over the tops of my sunglasses at him. “You ever volunteered for duty at a bridal shower before, sailor?”
Charlie’s lips twitched. “No, but I think I can handle it.”
