Free Deadly Ties by Jaycee Clark

time. And why was that? Had absolutely nothing to do with those muscles or the perfect body or that wicked smile or the eyes …oh God, those eyes. She needed help. Lots and lots of help. She reached around grabbed the mail out of the slot. One letter got hung on the metal mail slot, and she heard it tear as she ripped it free.
    As she shut the door, a quick glance at him showed her the single Gerber daisy he carried.
    Pumpkin orange petals surrounded the yellow face. He bought her a flower? Her stomach did another roll.
    Taylor licked her lips.
    “I should have called. Sorry.” He jerked his hand and a single petal fell to the floor as he

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    held the blossom out to her. Something inside her smiled as deeply as she knew the dimples creased the sides of her mouth.
    “Thank you and what do you want?” She reached for the flower and her fingers brushed his, sending a little jolt through her system. Her eyes flew up to meet the dark blue of his. God she could get lost in those cobalt depths, just lost and lost. A moment passed and then another and all she could think about was how incredible his eyes were, how his gaze could capture hers with the least bit of effort, or how the slightest meeting of touches made butterflies dance in her middle. A soft sigh escaped as he gave a small smile.
    “You’re welcome and to ask you to dinner.”
    Music drifted down the stairwell, notes and scales stringed through the air, muted, yet still discernible. His gaze rose to the ceiling. The moment was broken.
    “I take it the young musician is practicing?” His hands went to his pockets and he rocked slightly back onto his heels. The movement made him seem nervous, but she knew that wasn’t right. Men like Gavin oozed charm and confidence and girls tended to stutter and stare. Not her.
    But she might if she fell for the charming, sort--which she didn’t.
    “Umm.… Yes, as a matter of fact, he is. Wanted to polish up an Irish reel he learned today.” “Cool. I bet Mom has some reels, if he’s into that. Mom’s from Ireland.”
    Another silence stretched. She was so damn out of practice at this. And what was this ?
    She’d had friends to dinner before. Herbs wafted and scented the air. Dinner!
    “I know you asked to go out, and thanks for that, but would you like to stay for dinner?” He just stared at her. Without taking a breath, she hurried on. “It’s nothing fancy, just baked chicken, rice and salad. But, you’re more than welcome to join us if you’d like.” Deep breath.
    There was his smile, full and charming and completely disconcerting. Damn the man, what was he up to? “I’d love to.”
    Taylor tossed the mail on the entry table. One letter fluttered to the floor and they both leaned down to pick it up. Gavin reached it first, then handed it to her. She almost didn’t look at it, but gave a quick glance anyway.
    The pleasantness popped.
    For a moment all she could do was stare at that letter with her son’s name printed neatly on the outside with the exception of the last name. This letter was addressed to Ryan Fisher. The return address was Valleyview, Gatesville, Texas. Damn the woman!
    Rage rolled through her. That Nina would even try to send another letter. Why couldn’t she just leave them the hell alone? But then, the fear slithered in. Had she found them? Would the phone calls be next?
    Taylor stood, the flower forgotten, as was Gavin. All she saw was that letter and her mind simply froze on it. She closed her eyes.
    “Taylor?”
    When she opened them, the first thing that registered was the little black, stamped-hand with the forefinger pointing to: forward.
    Forward. Relief huffed out on a whoosh.
    “Damn, Charles, too,” she mumbled.
    “Are you all right? You’re kind of pale.” Gavin’s voice pulled her back to where she was
     
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    and what was going on.
    “Oh, uh--yeah. I’m--I’m fine,” she lied. Another sigh had her running her hand through her hair. She tried a small smile.