Free Always Remember by Sheila Seabrook Page B

emotion that tried to break free. “Lady, you have five minutes to get your butt in the truck.”
    She raised her chin in that annoyingly familiar manner and returned his glare. “Or what?”
    “Do you really want to find out?”
    The frosty glare turned downright chilly. Without uttering another word, she disappeared into the house. Nate couldn’t contain the smile that slipped out. He’d give her five minutes and then...
    Maybe after all these years, he’d finally get to see the inside of her bedroom.

CHAPTER TEN

    Thoughts of waking her mother tempered the urge to slam the front door. Jessie raced up the staircase and into her bedroom. Anger gnawed at her insides as she grabbed up the hairbrush and yanked it through her hair.
    Ouch.
    Glaring at her reflection in the mirror, she gingerly untangled the strands and set the brush aside. Down in the yard, the truck sat in clear sight of the window. She stared at it, recalling a hundred times he’d pulled up to the house and honked his horn.
    And she’d go running.
    Running into his arms without a thought to the consequences or the future. Just so sure of his love, she knew he’d never cast her aside for another.
    After all these years, the puzzle she’d never been able to answer still teased her thoughts. Why hadn’t he come after her? Had she meant so little to him? Out of sight, out of mind? Had his love for her been nothing more than convenience? A warm body nearby?
    Outside, the horn bleeped and Jessie jumped, startled. The unexpected but familiar excitement of his presence stole over her. Then the truck door flew open. Her stomach clenched in panic. She backed away, hiding in the shadows as he glanced up at the window. His mouth moved, drawing her complete and undivided attention. Lips, once soft with desire, were hard with frustration.
    So maybe he should take the hint and leave her alone.
    Downstairs, the front door creaked open. Footsteps softened by a light tread came up the stairs. The doorknob turned, the door swung open, and there he stood, annoyance etched on his face.
    “You used to come running when I honked.” He remembered. “Whatever happened to that agreeable little girl?”
    Forcing a smile to her lips, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “If memory serves me right, you were never allowed up in my room. Have the rules changed?”
    A reluctant smile broke across his face, the beautiful one that used to make her stomach do flip flops — and still did. It eased the annoyance from his taut lips and lit his eyes with laughter. He gave the room a quick, curious glance as he stepped inside and shut the door.
    “We better be quiet or your dad’s libel to show up at the door with his shotgun.” The grin faded. “You ready?”
    “I’m not going.”
    He took a single step toward her, halted, leashed power in his rigid stance. “Why not?”
    Jessie eyed the comfort of his wide shoulders and wished she could step into his arms. Instead, she turned toward the window as tears threatened. So many regrets...
    “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked softly. The floorboards creaked beneath his boots and she felt his hand on her shoulder easing her around to face him. “Remember how good we used to be together?”
    He cupped her chin with his fingers, angling her head so she was forced to look him straight in the eye. Eyes so beautiful, so gentle and understanding, she wanted to leap into his arms, admit her awful secret, and let him comfort her.
    But she knew that wouldn’t be the case. He’d turn from her, anger curling his lip, hatred clouding his eyes.
    His gaze fell to her mouth and Jessie stopped breathing, stopped thinking. She couldn’t bear the thought of reaching out to him, of touching him, then having him push her away. As his head descended, the familiar welcome thrill of holding him close raced through her.
    His mouth brushed hers, lightly, hesitantly. “Why do I still want you?”
    She didn’t have an answer for his question,