Page 17 of Protecting Vidalia
Her eyebrow shot up. “I’ll stick to trails that are well-traveled. Dax left me a list of popular ones. And make lots of noise,” she added.
Jake frowned slightly but didn’t disagree with her. As far as he was concerned, he intended to keep an up close and personal eye on Vidalia Minton, whether she liked it or not. So, arguing about it was a moot point.
“So, cards, games, or popcorn and a movie?” he asked.
Chapter 5
Vidalia had to admitshe had fun watching Harry Potter movies with Jake. She hadn’t realized how tuned into the dark aspect of the show she was until he started pointing out the funny parts with random crazy comments. With thoughts of Dani always lurking in the background of her mind like shadows waiting to overwhelm her, the movies seemed to link in with their darkness.
Jake seemed to pick up on some of the vibes she was sending out and would automatically turn to comedy to lighten the tense atmosphere. His sudden question surprised her.
“Do you like watching horror movies?” His keen gaze studied her as the credits to The Deathly Hallows, probably her most favorite, wound down.
She got up to put the movie away and shrugged. “Not really, not the blood and gore type of movies—the ones where teenage kids are always getting sliced up.”
He stood up. “Can’t say I enjoy those either. But my cousin used to totally love Freddy Kruger and the like. Didn’t do anything for me though.”
“I don’t like horror at all,” she confessed, “but I love Harry Potter. It’s just a great story of good winning over evil.” When he moved closer, she felt her invisible shield begin to raise. She couldn't deny the attraction that sizzled either as she tensed.
“Thanks for the evening, I had a good time,” he said softly.
He reached out to snag a lock of auburn hair and smooth it behind her ear. The touch of his fingers on her cheek caused goosebumps. Her breath hitched and she stepped back slightly. “I-it was fun for me too,” she agreed.
He looked as if he wanted to say something and changed his mind. With a soft sigh he turned away. “I’m going to sleep in the loft tonight since the cabin is warm. See you in the morning bright and early.”
Vidalia watched his firm backside walk away from her and head up the stairs. Broad-shouldered confidence rested on him like a mantle. Disappointment left her deflated. “What did you expect?” She scolded herself as she turned away and went to the door to her bedroom. “You’ve given him every hands-off sign known to man so why would he want to kiss you goodnight?” Her heart still did a brief flutter as she turned to stare up at the loft. “Good night, Jake,” she challenged. Her inner womanly desire for warmth and contact warred with the cautious, embittered dispatcher for superiority.
“You could have kissed me goodnight, brat,” he replied as his head popped over the railing. “You lost your chance.” He winked and disappeared.
She could hear him chuckle knowingly and she flushed hot with embarrassment. Slamming the door firmly behind her, she stalked to the bed and dragged her pajamas from beneath her pillow. How dare he decide she had to kiss him first? Like that would ever happen. He’d be waiting a damned long time. She completely ignored the fact that she was the one who didn’t want a relationship at all.
Huffing, Vidalia got dressed and grabbed the first book of a new mystery series she’d been advised to read. She loved a good mystery for sure. Louisiana Longshot by Jana DeLeon soon had her engrossed in the story of a female CIA assassin hiding out in the little town of Sinful, Louisiana. It was one of the most hilarious books she’d read in a long time and kept her chuckling for the next hour until she finally slipped into blessed sleep.
Sitting on a lawn chair at the edge of the bayou, a storm blowing in and whipping the muddy water in front of her, Vidalia was puzzled. She’d never been in the bayou before. Tense and nervous, she looked around, checking for alligator eye bumps above the water. A sense of impending doom enveloped her propelling her to her feet. Something was bubbling, coming to the surface of the water, yellow tendrils swirling around like delicate spider web fronds. Then she realized it was blond hair attached to a small body dressed in a pink shirt.
It was a child in the water!
