Free The Carpenter's Daughter by Jennifer Rodewald

fact. “Right by the motel. You can’t miss it.”
    Her eyes held protest. But her silence hinted indecision. What was this girl’s story?
    I opened her door, and she settled behind the steering wheel, still mute.
    After shutting her in, I laid an arm across her open window. “You’re not going to stand me up, are you?”
    Her eyes widened. “I didn’t agree to go.”
    Yeah, I hadn’t missed that. But I’d determined to play it cool—all the way to the point where she said, Thanks, but no thanks .
    “I guess I’ll have to wait and find out.” I bumped her door with a fist and walked back to my own pickup.
    Sarah turned the engine over, and I wondered if I’d ever see her again.

Chapter Six
     
    Sarah
    My stomach grumbled as I started my truck. I’d noticed JJ’s Grill as I pulled into town this morning—looked like a decent place to land for supper. And maybe the only place. Didn’t mean I was going.
    Had I just been asked on a date? Didn’t sound like a date proposition, but this Jesse Chapman wasn’t a common guy. At all. Sticking up for a strange girl on the job? Hanging around me when there was still work to be finished? Not normal.
    He couldn’t have been suggesting a date. Men didn’t date a woman who’d schooled them on a roof. Did they?
    My mind ran circles, like a dog chasing its tail. Meeting him at the grill wasn’t going to alter destiny. It’d only be a burger with a guy from the crew. That wasn’t completely out of the ordinary.
    I’d go. I was going.
    Maybe.
    Maybe not.
    Growling at my feeble brain, I shifted into drive and set the tires for the highway. One thing was for sure—I wasn’t going into anywhere without a shower first. Whatever this Jesse character was thinking, he’d have to wait for me to clean up. If I was going at all.
    I showered at the motel, hoping the steam would evaporate the wispy daydreams that managed to invade my logic. Fancy thoughts of green eyes glued to mine, filled with admiration and… And nothing. The hot water wasn’t effective on my wild imagination, so I shut off the valve. My stomach complained of its empty condition as I dried my hair—a deviation from my wash-and-go routine. I’d seen a McDonald’s on the other side of town. I could go for a couple of McDoubles and call it a meal.
    You’re not going to stand me up, are you?
    That would be mean.
    I walked into JJ’s Grill, reconsidering the McDonald’s option. What on earth am I doing? A rather round woman at the front greeted me before I could retreat. I was stuck.
    “Are you going solo this evening?” She smiled.
    Yes. The word hung on my tongue, but Jesse’s voice came from around the corner.
    “Dark hair and blue eyes?”
    My mouth dropped open.
    The hostess smiled, sending me a conspirator’s wink. “I don’t think this is who you’re waiting for, Jesse. She looks perfectly sane. And young. Not your type at all.”
    Jesse made an appearance from the dining room. “Are you insulting me, Shelly?”
    The woman smiled innocently. “And here I was all prepared for your usual crew of sweaty men with monstrous appetites.”
    He smiled like a boy showing off a new toy. “Come on, Sapphira. I’m starving.” He gestured with his head toward the booth he’d already claimed.
    Sapphira?
    I followed him, hoping my face didn’t look as dumb—and flattered—as I felt.
    Maybe this was a game. Who acted this friendly to someone they’d just met? Players. Desperate men.
    I watched Jesse slide into the booth. Strong build. Deep tan. Amazing green eyes. Winning smile. Desperate? That couldn’t be right. What was he up to?
    I didn’t play these kinds of games. I didn’t know the rules, and I’d be lousy at them even if I did.
    “What can I get you to drink?” Shelly asked.
    “Water’s good, thank you.” I slipped into the bench across from him, a mixture of unease and hunger turning my stomach.
    “So…” Jesse folded his arms on the table and leaned in. “I wasn’t sure