Page 25 of Protecting Vidalia
“At Smokies. We took a hike this morning and stopped in here for lunch.”
“At least she’s letting you spend time with her, that’s encouraging,” Dax enthused.
“So far, so good. Later, buddy.” Jake rang off and waited for Vidalia to finish her purchases at the counter. His thoughts drifted to the time they’d spent at Fairy Lake. It felt like she liked him, and better yet, trusted him. Granted, their relationship was in its early days even if she didn’t call it a relationship. She was a mass of contradictions. He would never have believed she would voluntarily lay herself over his lap like that, yet she wouldn’t trust him with her life-shattering experience.
Jake considered his options. He’d try to give her a few more days to open up willingly, but if she didn’t do it soon, then he’d resort to other means. The wound she was protecting would only continue to fester until something was done about it.
He stood up as she approached the table and handed him a bag. “Did you get everything?”
She smiled up at him. “Of course. I even bought some fudge for myself so I could help support the local candy makers,” she replied with a chuckle. “And I bought a book about bears to study.”
“Come on then, let’s get going,” he said, smiling back at her. “We have calls to make, another short hike before dinner, and you can help me make lasagna at my place to eat tonight.”
Her eyes narrowed at him. “Is that a request or an order?”
“Which do you prefer?” He loved the indecision in her eyes. No matter what she said, he was determined she would eat at his place tonight, even if he had to flatten one of her tires to do it. But he was pretty sure she wanted to; she was just stubborn.
“Homemade German chocolate cake for dessert,” he added as an incentive.
That put her over the edge, her eyes lighting up. “If you’re cooking, I’ll stay and eat,” she relented. “Lasagna happens to be a favorite dish of mine.”
“I knew you couldn’t resist the chocolate cake, admit it.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “I’ve got you pegged.”
“Don’t get overconfident, 1870, I can always change my mind,” she said with a chuckle as she preceded him out the door.
They both waved at Poke as they left and he opened the door to his jeep and helped her inside, his possessive streak in full mode. He even patted her bottom as she hopped up the steps, ignoring theif looks could killglare, she shot him.
They had both driven to his place this morning so she’d have a way home tonight. It was what she’d wanted, so he’d agreed even though he knew he’d be following her back to her place anyway. No way was he letting her stay alone in the cabin while those bears were still around.
“No copping a free feel,” she scolded, but her eyes were twinkling at him.
“It’s not free, it’s costing me a big slice of my mom’s homemade chocolate cake,” he said with relish.
Her mouth dropped open. “What? I thought you made the cake!”
“I never said I made it.” He grinned unrepentantly.
“You...you...,” she sputtered, then she laughed and shook her head. “You got me there.”
“I’ve got you everywhere,” he replied smugly. “And I’m not letting go.”
