Page 45 of A Twist of Faith
“That’s what I heard too.”
“Rainey’s real good at them.” He stopped and ran his hands through his hair, biting down on each syllable so he could get the session off to a good start—maybe even impress her. “Does every word matter that much, Dee? I mean, it ain’t−”
Her brow shot up.
“It isn’t like I’m speaking a foreign language or something. Surely those men up in Chicago can get the gist of what I’m talking about.”
Dee took a seat and folded her hands in her lap. He’d already learned what that meant. She didn’t agree. “Do you want to take that chance? Let’s say we put aside the whole notion of saving your farm. You said yourself this is a great opportunity to not only increase your income, but stretch yourself professionally. If you’re thinking of bigger things …”
“I don’t think I said it quite so well as that.”
Dee clasped her lips into a smile. “No, you said it more likethe farm needs the money and I wouldn’t mind the challenge none. Does that sound about right?”
He rubbed his jaw and studied her. “Well now, I’m not sure you had enough twang in your speech.”
Her smile came loose and brightened her entire face. “I’m pretty sure you’ll beat me hands down on twang.”
Their gazes held a moment too long. She looked away but not before his heart jumped like a scared rabbit. Any woman who flipped from one emotion to the next in half a second, shouldn’t be on his list of possible wives.Stupid man. He should run while he had the chance, but there he was, staring like an idiot—and enjoying what he saw.
“I’m sorry about last night.”
His pulse settled into a pleasant thump. She kept her gaze to the ground. He’d take a heart-felt apology any day. It neutralized thecrazya little. “No harm done, Dee.”
She lifted her eyes, forehead puckered with remorse. “Yes, there is harm done. I’m perceived as a witch or prima donna. You and your family have shown me nothing but kindness.” She looked back down at her hands. “I was harsh. I don’twantto be harsh.”
“I bring it out in you, don’t I?”
Her expression softened. “It must be the accent.”
He chuckled and Dee went right into the session, starting as usual: a list of words and phrases for him to repeat with proper speech. It was like reliving first grade, with a much cuter teacher than baggy-cheeked Mrs. Milner.
Dee’s focus lightened a little at the end, as he read off someCalvin and Hobbesquotes using his best speech. Her intensity and focus fueled his. Teaching brought her to life, brightened her face with a ferocity it turned a man’s thoughts in rascally directions. Heat skimmed his collar as his rebel gaze took in the beauty of her from hairline to heels—when she wasn’t looking, of course. If she redirected some of her energy into loving a man, it’d knock him clean into next year.
“What do you get out of all this?”
She placed herCalvin and Hobbesbook back in her bag and looked up. “What do you mean?”
“Well you’re putting in a whole lot of time and energy on me, and though I’d like to think you’re here because of my rugged good looks and magnetic charm, I don’t think that’s quite it.”
She tilted her head back and laughed. A great sound, but the thought wasn’tthatfunny.
“As I’ve said before, it’s part of my research. And it’s not so muchtherapywith you as it is … er … tutoring.” Her sweet smile sent cupid’s arrow directly through his chest. “Besides, it feels good to know I’m helping your family.”
“So you spend all this time and energy tutoring me out of good will and for research? Seems extreme. I think I know your real secret.”
Every ounceof warmth drained from Dee’s face and landed on her unsteady pulse. Had Rainey overheard her conversation with Alex and put the pieces together somehow?
“Reese, it’s really—”
“You like a challenge.”
Warmth rushed back into her extremities with the surge of relief. “I do love a good challenge.” She straightened, tamping down the near panic. “But research helps guide practice, so it’s vital as well.”
“Yeah, I know it’s important, but there has to be something else pushing you along besides research.” He cradled the back of his head in his palms and stretched his legs out in front of him. “When I do research I have to feel like I’m either helping people with what I’m learning or sharing information for productivity and awareness later on. Not just the research.”
She didn’t quite catch her scoff in time. “You’ve done research?”
“Sure I have.” He stood and walked to a bookshelf, taking a handful of paperback magazines.
