Page 4 of A Twist of Faith
“Name’s Reese Mitchell. Welcome to Ransom.” The poor man could injure more vowels in a single sentence than all the Beverly Hillbillies combined.
“Thank you, Mr. Mitchell.” Dee gestured to Alex. “This is Dr. Alex Murdock.”
The men exchanged a nod, measuring each other like two dogs. Well, in this standoff, her odds were on the mountain man.
“I didn’t mean no bother. I was sent to help you with your boxes and things.”
He ran a hand through his hair, upsetting more curls. Something just wasn’t fair about a man with hair that pretty.
“You were sent?” Several huge boxes of books still waited in the trunk of her car. Had Dr. Russell sent her some help? Maybe country manners weren’t so bad. The only thing Alex offered to take off her hands was her research. “I do have a few more boxes in my car.”
He plopped the cap back on his head, and his eyes lit with boyish humor. “I can get ‘em.”
Dee squelched a reflexive smile, forcing professional distance she usually had no difficulty maintaining. Mr. Mitchell’s thought stopping gaze captured hers again, almost as if he was gauging if she was fine or not. Could he tell? What did he care if her life ended in the next five minutes? Or worse, her career?
“That’s very kind of you. Thanks.” She kept her attention away from Alex and turned for her purse.
“Are you a farmer, Mr. Mitchell?” Alex asked.
“I am.”
“Have you been in Ransom long?”
Dee needled Alex with a stare as she pulled her purse close. As if Mr. Mitchell’s six-inch-long accent said anything else? Couldn’t the brilliant Dr. Murdock tell from all his “experience?”
Alex’s brow took on a playful wiggle. That man was a puzzle. She’d tried her best to keep her distance because his reputation came with a disclaimer: charming, unpredictable, and commitment free, but sometimes he left her wondering what really went on behind that megawatt smile.
Mr. Mitchell’s grin stilled. “Most of it. I finished some schoolin’ in other places, but mostly I’ve stayed close.”
“Schoolin’, eh?” Alex did nothing to hide the humor in his voice. “I guess farmin’ is a close-to-home kind of job.”
Mr. Mitchell’s eyes narrowed and he stood a bit straighter. He was even taller than he looked at first. “Home is a good place to be, Dr. Murdock. But I don’t mind some adventure now and then. Got myself an interview up near Chicago soon.”
Dee braced herself for Alex’s reply.
“Do you? For farming?”
“Agricultural engineering firm. Seems that even big city folks want experienced hardworkin’ country folks. Or at least I hope so.” He looked back at Dee, no smile in his eyes. “How ’bout them keys, Doc?”
Doc?
“Well, that’s interesting.” Alex’s words came out slow, almost premeditated.
She risked a look at Alex. He looked happy.Toohappy.
“Besides, Dee.” Alex stood from the chair and adjusted his jacket. “We needed to finish our discussion so I can be on my way.”
From the mischievous expression on Alex’s face, Dee wasn’t too sure she wanted to finish their discussion. Perhaps keeping Mr. Mitchell as a human shield wouldn’t be a bad idea. At least he looked pretty solid.
She glanced at her farmer-protector and hesitated, keys in hand. “It’s a blue Jetta out in the front lot of the building. Two boxes in the trunk are labeled ‘office.’ Oh, and there’s one box in the back seat too, but the back left door handle is broken, so you’ll have to come through the right.”
A shaded grin quirked up one side of Mr. Mitchell’s moustache. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And you might have to jiggle the key a little in the keyhole to get the doors to unlock.” His hand bumped her fingers as he took her keys and sudden warmth moved up her arm.
“Got it.”
She released her keys and stepped back. “Thank you.”
