Page 7 of Gideon’s Gratitude (Love in Mission City #5)

The chainsaw started up again, and I flinched.

I wanted to cover my ears, but that likely wouldn’t help.

This would trigger a migraine for sure, and yet I didn’t retreat to my safe side of the land divide.

The trees did buffer a bit of the sound, but I had the tall, handsome man in my sights, and I wasn’t going to let him go.

You’ve got this.

I stomped over. Or tried to. Last night’s torrential downpour saturated the ground, and the mud clung to my boots as I crossed the yard. Still, when I got to the gravel drive, I clomped.

To no effect, since the chainsaw was hard at work.

This was so not going how I’d envisioned.

I was about to turn tail when Riley spotted me.

She waved enthusiastically, her thick braid of black hair swinging with the gesture. Somehow, she made her standard hard hat look stylish. The brim shaded her eyes from the brilliant sunshine that’d dissipated the fog. Her pale-green eyes shone with happiness when I approached.

“I understand you met Mr. Chamberlain last night.” Her grin was wide. “I can’t thank you enough for taking him in. I would’ve come out, of course, but you saving me the trip last night is appreciated.”

As that’d been utmost in my mind, I returned her smile, although I knew it lacked the brilliance of hers.

Heck, even her teeth sparkled. I cut a glance to Archer whose gaze shot back and forth between Riley and me.

Was he attracted to the woman? They certainly made a handsome couple.

Tall, elegant, fashionable, and attractive.

So gorgeous that mere mortals didn’t stand a chance.

Uh…what?

Focus.

I thrust out the cash. “I don’t want your money.”

Riley’s eyes widened before she schooled her features. “I’ll just leave you to discuss this. I need to oversee the installation of the flooring in the primary suite.”

Calling bullshit on her obvious excuse wouldn’t be polite, but it tempted me. I didn’t know her well, but her scruples were well known. And discretion had to be part of her contract, undoubtedly.

She stepped away, and just as I began to speak, the chainsaw started up again.

Can I get no peace?

To my surprise, Archer stepped close. Really close. Too close.

He angled his head and leaned over until his mouth was mere inches away from my ear. “I owe you a lot more than a few dollars. I’m certain you can find a use for the money. Think of what you saved me from last night.” He pointed to the SUV.

My stomach dropped. Of course, the tree had fallen before he arrived on my doorstep, but the sentiment ricocheted through me. Just the implication was almost too much to bear. “I don’t need your money.” Said through gritted teeth.

“Perhaps. Keep it, give it away, do whatever you like. Whatever would make you happy.”

“What would make me happy is if you’d take it back.”

We were so close our faces almost brushed.

Another inch and I’d be able to rub my cheek against his.

Skin to skin with plenty of stubble since neither of us had shaved this morning.

The man’s breath also smelled minty. As if he’d located a toothbrush or popped a mint. Fresh. Tempting. So damn tempting.

“I’m not taking it back. Find a good charity. This time of year, there are plenty to choose from. Or I’m sure you have a family member in need. We always have one of those.”

I did, of course. But Archer’s words implied he did as well. Before I could inquire further, the chainsaw stopped. I pulled back so abruptly my heel caught and I almost went down.

A strong hand to my elbow held me steady.

Oh my God, I can’t even stand upright.

I wanted to beg the universe to take pity on me, but that wasn’t likely. I was never that lucky.

Although I clearly had my legs beneath me, he maintained his grip. Our gazes met and held. Stunning dark-gray eyes mesmerized with their intensity. How easy would it be to give in to temptation?

Snap out of it.

Archer isn’t gay. Archer isn’t interested. Archer should run the other way so fast he’ll leave tread marks.

And yet, as our gazes held for another few heartbeats, my faith in those suppositions wavered.

“Let me take you to dinner. As a way of showing my appreciation. ”

Words spoken loudly enough that anyone nearby could hear them. No one was within earshot, however, so the intimacy of our bubble remained intact.

I held up the cash. “I think this is enough appreciation.”

He shrugged. “So let me take you out to dinner so I’m not lonely tonight while I wait for my new SUV to arrive.”

“To arrive?”

“My dealership located one over on Vancouver Island. They’ve hired a driver to deliver it, but they’re not expected here until around nine this evening.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to meet them in Vancouver?”

Another careless shrug. “Perhaps, but then I’d have to acquire a ride to Vancouver, and it just seemed easiest to have the driver bring it here. I’ve secured a room at the local hotel for the evening.”

The very nice hotel, undoubtedly. Still affordable, but definitely catering to higher-end clientele.

What harm could come from this? One dinner. One meal out. One chance to feel like a normal human being instead of a hermit who barely leaves his house?

I considered.

He’s a divorce lawyer.

Right.

Damn.

Well, that was a definite strike against him. But perhaps I’d been too quick to judge. Just because my own experience was negative, didn’t mean this lawyer was a bad guy.

You’ve got this.

“I accept your offer.” There. Not so hard.

Archer’s smile was brilliant, showing off perfect teeth. No doubt expensive orthodontia had been involved. “Great. You can’t drive in the evening, correct? Riley can drive us to the restaurant, and when my SUV arrives, I can return you to your abode.”

Abode? Seriously? That word wasn’t as fancy as some others he’d used, but I was definitely punching above my class to be in the company of such an educated man.

Leo’s educated.

And maybe that’d been part of the problem.

While Leo’s education had increased by the day, I’d remained much as I had since high school.

Sure, I read when I could, but the process was always laborious and took so much time that I mostly gave up.

I watched the news, and tried to stay informed, but even I knew it wasn’t the same thing.

“Are you all right?”

“Huh? Oh yeah, fine. Riley driving us is fine. You driving me home is fine. Everything’s fine.” Way to sound like an idiot.

Archer finally took a step back, leaving a bit of distance between us.

Instantly, I felt a lack. Like something important was missing.

“Where’s Lucky?”

The question caught me off guard. “Back at the house. Loud noises bother him.” Well, they bothered me more, but I wouldn’t say that. I really needed to get back to my sanctuary.

“Well, give him a scratch from me. He is a special dog.” Archer touched the tip of his nose.

Didn’t that beat all? I figured my mutt with so-so manners wouldn’t rank high on the man’s appreciation. The words warmed me. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Great, see you then.”

You’ve got this.

“If you need a place to come and warm up before then, you’re welcome to come over.” I gestured around the construction site. There didn’t appear to be many places to take cover and, despite the bright sunshine, the air was nippy and a light breeze blew through the open space.

Another brilliant grin. “You know, I might just take you up on that offer. You sure you don’t mind?”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I did. I’ll leave the door unlocked. Come over when you want.” Before I could say anything else that might get me into trouble, I gave an aborted wave and spun to walk back home. The home I’d just invited a stranger to join me in.

No, not a stranger. A neighbor.

A thought niggled. The guy had more money than anyone I knew. So how hard would it be to call a cab to come up here and get him? He could be luxuriating in his hotel in under an hour. Why stay up here? Could be supervising. Nah, not likely. Riley had things well in hand.

Am I the reason? The whole dinner invitation had come out of left field.

And I should’ve said no, but I couldn’t.

No, the lure of leaving the mountain was strong.

I rarely ventured out—often buying supplies in bulk.

The chance to do something outside of my comfort zone appealed.

I was tired of the isolation. What I'd once craved had become a trap. A trap of my own making.

I had my reasons.

All completely valid. If I was up here, then temptation was well beyond my reach.

As I opened the door, three things happened simultaneously. Lucky leapt up and greeted me as if I’d been gone for days not minutes. The chainsaw started up again. And, to my dismay, the migraine that had lurked now attacked with vigor. I staggered. Too much. All too much.

I managed to close the blinds, grab an ice pack, and crawl under the blanket my grandmother had crocheted for me. Painkillers beckoned, but I’d never go there. I could only hope this abated by tonight or I’d have to beg off.

That was the last thing I wanted to do.

Lucky plopped down on the floor by my head. I laid a hand on my dog’s back and let the rhythm of his breaths lull me into sleep.