Free In Search of Grace by Kelly Ilebode Page B

was complete.
                  The banter light between them , they worked together clearing t he dinner dishes .  S everal times their hands would briefly touch as they passed the dishes to each other.  At no time did Seth try to kiss her or make a move. He was the perfect gentleman.
                  When the last dish was put away , Seth turned to Alex.  “ Coffee? ”
                  Alex glanced at the clock and was happy to see it was still early . Smiling at him in a way that made his heart skip a b eat , she nodded.
                  Unable to resist, he reached out for her hand and pulled her close to him.  There was no hesitation as she melted into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist while resting her head on his chest . He liked her like this , relaxed and at ease . The music was now playing soft jazz in the background; with his hand, he smoothed her hair loving the way it felt in his fingers.  A lex lifted her face to look into his eyes.  Her heart skipped a beat k nowing he was going to kiss her and knowing she wanted him to.  She could feel the heat emanating from him. Butterflies returned to her stomach in anticipation of what would follow.  Seth brushed his knuckles across her cheek , and then slowly lowered his head toward her lips.  She heard a phone ringing in the distance.  Seth stiffe ned and swore under his breath .  She watched him, confused and d isoriented, as he left the room only to return with a cell phone pressed to his ear. 
                  “Where?  Yes, hang on . ” Grabbing a pen and piece of paper from the cabinet, he quickly wrote something down .  “Yes, I will be there in 20 minutes.”
                  Hanging the phone up, he stared at the piece of paper.  Alex realized that he had forgotten about her.  “Seth?”
                  “ I am sorry , Alex, I have to go to work.  Let me take you home.”  Trying to steel herself from the disappointment and hurt that washed over her, Alex turned to the door. 
                  “No, you go, I can walk myself home.”
                  “Alex , l ook at me!”
                  “Seth, really I am ok…”
                  Seth grabbed her arm and steered her out the door.  “I said I would walk you home.”
                  When the y reached her back door, he took the keys from her hands and efficiently unlocked the door , and without giving her a chance to speak , pushed her inside . 
      “ I will call you later – goodnight , r abbi t .  Don’t forget to lock up after I leave. ”  Then walked quickly back to his house without looking back .  
                  Poking her head back out, Alex stared in disbelief as she watched him step through the gate and only broke her stare when the gate snapped firmly behind him.  “What the heck?”  Muttering to herself , she turned inside.  She did not realize just how much she wanted him to kiss her until he did not .   Hurt and confused , she sat on the edge of the bed for a long time trying to figure out what had just happened , then gave up and went to bed.

                            CHAPTER 9              
     
                  Seth’s truck pee led into the parking lot , his tires squeal ed in protest as he rounded the corner hard before coming to a halt facing the Spot Pond R eservoir. The area was lit up with the lights from at least a half a dozen police vehicles.  Jumping out, he strode to the center of the activity searching for Tommy.   After a few minutes, he was pointed in the direction of a grove of trees , and the familiar feeling of dread washed over him.
                  Tommy was squatting near a lifeless body , pointing out something to another office r .   The area completely blocked off by yellow caution tape , was lit up