Free Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods Page B

thought. “I do not want
to sit there with you studying us like we’re specimens under a microscope. It
would be too embarrassing.”
    “Are you saying that you’ll never join us for dinner again?”
Raylene asked with a frown. “The last thing I meant to do was scare you
off.”
    “You didn’t. Not entirely anyway. I just don’t think I can
pretend it’s simply another casual dinner after all this talk of attraction and
looks and such. Maybe in a couple of weeks, but not tonight.”
    Raylene relented and backed off. “If you change your mind or
Mitch talks you into it, the offer’s open. You’re always welcome.”
    “What makes you think Mitch will even attempt to talk me into
it? When would he do that?”
    “You did say he’s coming over when you get home from work,
right? I imagine I can plant the idea in his head before then,” Raylene said
with confidence. “I promise I’ll be more subtle about it than I was with
you.”
    “Have you caught some kind of matchmaking fever? I hear it’s
been going around in Serenity.”
    “What can I say? It’s a community curse,” Raylene said
unrepentantly. “Now go on home and freshen up so you’ll be stunning when Mitch
drops by. You’ve done more than your share of selling in here this morning.
You’ll have a nice fat commission in your check this week.”
    “I am not setting out to impress Mitch,” Lynn said with what
she hoped sounded like suitable indignation.
    “Of course you’re not,” Raylene said innocently. “I’m just
thinking a little eyeliner to go with that mascara you put on this morning, a
touch of gloss on your lips and maybe another swipe of that blush.”
    Lynn groaned. “Was I that obvious?”
    Raylene laughed. “Not to Mitch, I’m sure. He probably just
noticed you looked more beautiful than ever. Only women pay attention to the
little, telltale details like extra makeup.”
    “I am so humiliated,” Lynn said. “I feel like a teenager who
got caught drawing hearts and initials on the front of her school notebook. And
I know exactly how that felt, because it happened way too often when my crush on
Ed first developed. I do not want to be that lovesick girl ever again.”
    “How about a strong woman going after what she wants?” Raylene
asked. “I think that would demonstrate a whole new level of maturity and
intelligence.”
    “Or make me look more foolish than ever,” Lynn said direly.
    Raylene gave her a sympathetic look. “From what I’ve seen when
you’re around Mitch, I don’t think you need to worry about that a bit.”
    But even her friend’s words of encouragement didn’t quite calm
the very bad case of nerves Lynn was suddenly feeling as she headed for home and
an unavoidable encounter with the man who’d been at the center of their
conversation.
    * * *
    Mitch had been so distracted all day by his son’s
unexpected announcement, even the guys had called him on it. When he was in his
truck and heading for home before remembering he was supposed to stop over at
Lynn’s, he knew his worry over Nate’s decision ran even deeper than he’d
realized.
    He considered calling Lynn to postpone till tomorrow, but he
didn’t want her worrying that he’d changed his mind about the job. He turned the
truck around and headed back to her house, parking in her driveway this time,
not Raylene’s.
    When Lynn answered the front door and spotted his truck, she
studied him with confusion. “Weren’t you just next door working?”
    He nodded. “Sorry. I took off, then remembered I was supposed
to come over to check on how you were making out with the computer systems. I
turned around and came back.”
    She frowned at the admission. “Was there someplace else you
needed to be? This can wait.”
    “To be perfectly honest, I’d be glad for the company,” he told
her. “I can’t promise you, though, that my mind’s going to be on work.”
    Lynn looked vaguely alarmed by that. “Why?”
    “Are you sure you want me