Page 26 of A Twist of Faith
The thought drew his attention to her pouty bottom lip. He shot to his feet. “I’m gonna leave so you can go ahead and eat. A little thing like you is bound to fall over if you don’t eat something.”
Her dark brows shot to attention. “I am not weak.”
“I didn’t say you was weak. I said you was little.” The growing flames crackled behind him.
“Youwerelittle.”
“Woman, I ain’t little.”
“I’mnotlittle. Not Iain’tlittle.” She pointed the serving spoon in her hand, not looking one bit tired. “And do not call mewoman.”
He grinned at the wild-eyed spitfire. “Second lesson?”
She stared a minute and then her expression softened again. “We have to start somewhere. Can you come to the office this week?”
“I’ll be in town on Wednesday. Could you see me then?”
She scooped out some casserole onto her plate, and then looked down at the counter where a little book lay next to her lists. “Wednesday morning would be great.” She took a bite and nodded, then closed her eyes. “Mmm, your mom is a fantastic cook. She really shouldn’t keep bringing me food.”
Reese dusted his hands off on his jeans and stepped toward the door, watching her enjoy his mama’s cooking suddenly made him jealous of a casserole. Yep, he was bona fide crazy, but he likedthisAdelina Roseland a whole lot better than the tight-bunned professor from a few days ago.
Sunset’s orange light fell pale across the floor. Time to head home and take solid control of his wayward mind again. Most likely his mama, sister, and brother kept a close watch on the house from their windows. No need to get tongues to waggin’.
He walked to the door. “I’m off to get the young’uns and start up my own fire.”
She snorted.
Heat shot back into Reese’s face and he nearly tripped on the threshold. “Anyhow, I reckon I’ll see you Wednesday?”
“Will nine o’clock be okay?”
“Nine o’clock, it is.”
“And maybe I could come out to your place on Friday? In the afternoon? The more practice, the sooner we can get you ready for your interview.”
Getting therapy from her was still a bad idea. And after thefire lightingincident, it blazed bad for a whole new set of reasons.
Haus greeted him on the porch.
“Hey, boy.” Reese scratched the dog’s head and was rewarded with a smile. It did look kind of eerie at night. “Don’t worry, Doc. I’ll load him up the in the truck before I—”
“No, no,” Dee nearly ran to the door, but stopped at the threshold. “Um, it’s okay if he stays.” She shrugged. “I mean, this is his home. As long as he stays outside.”
Reese looked down at the dog, who grinned wider, and back to Doc, who studied the floor with a sudden intensity. If dogs spoke English, no doubt Reese would hear a good tale.
“Alright.” He nodded. “Good night, Doc. See you on Wednesday.”
“Good night, Reese Mitchell.” She met his gaze and the smallest of smiles dawned on her expression. “Thanks for … um … lighting my fire.”
He slammed the screen door on her laugh, stomped down the porch stairs, and tried real hard to ignore the sparks in his heart for Dr. Adelina Roseland.
Chapter 6
You see, I've got her pronunciation all right; but you have to consider not only how a girl pronounces, but what she pronounces;
(Pygmalion, Act 3)
Adelina’s smile refused to tame itself and her wayward thoughts twisted out of control. The picture of Reese Mitchell’s broad arms, muscles taut underneath his blue shirt as he carried in her firewood, kept popping up at the most inconvenient times. Like in the middle of her first private meeting with Dr. Russell. Dee was pretty sure Dr. Russell caught some stupid smile on her face while she discussed the importance of oral hygiene in swallowing patients.
