Free Out of the Shadows by Bethany Shaw

up…” And now I’m being an ass again. It was for the best. He
did not do relationships.
    Lark scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Maybe I don’t look like
much to you, but I assure you, I am tougher than I look.” She spun on her heel
and stomped to the front door.
    “I don’t doubt it,” he mumbled. Devon couldn’t help but
admire her body as she marched away from him. Each interaction they had only
added fuel to his desire. He imagined it was the opposite for her, as she
seemed further enraged.
    ***
    Lark exhaled slowly, before she opened the screen door. How
could one man she barely knew have such an effect on her? It didn’t help that she
was getting mixed signals. His words were condescending and rash, while his
eyes said something different. Granted, it had been a while since she’d dated. She
got the impression that he was interested, or maybe she was losing her mind.
    “Lark,” Gene greeted.
    Lark gave him a grateful smile as he took the boxes and she
walked in the house. “Thanks, it smells great in here.” The aroma of peppers
and seasoned meat assaulted her senses.
    “Emily made stuffed peppers for dinner. It’s as amazing as
it smells,” Gene laughed, walking toward the kitchen. “Do you want some? Sarah
and Preston aren’t back from their horseback ride.”
    “Sure, thanks,” Lark smiled, the food did smell delicious
and she hadn’t eaten dinner yet. She followed Gene into the large kitchen, her
taste buds salivating.
    Gene set the boxes on the counter and opened the fridge,
pulling out a few containers and handed her a paper plate. “Here grab something
to eat.”
    “Thanks.” Lark popped the top off the container.
    Devon strolled into the kitchen as she began spooning mashed
potatoes onto her plate. A sigh escaped his lips when he saw her. He set the
boxes on the counter and then grabbed his own plate.
    Lark bit her lip, she didn’t want to let him get to her. Her
emotions and hormones were still on overdrive from their confrontation in the
driveway. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to kick or kiss him. Maybe both? It
would be great to deny any feelings for him, but she couldn’t ignore the
electricity their interactions caused.
    Their gazes locked as they both reached for the same
container. Eyes boring into one another.
    “You guys want a drink?” Gene broke the tense silence. He
ran a hand through his dirty blonde colored hair before opening the fridge.
    “A beer,” Devon exhaled. He took the container of potatoes
from the counter and spooned some on his plate.
    “Just a water, please,” Lark added.
    “You both look like you’ve had a rough day,” Gene said. He
slid the bottled water across the counter to her and set Devon’s beer in front
of him. Then he twisted the top off his beer and took a drink.
    Lark bit her lip deciding on whether she wanted to be bold
with Devon or not. “I had three interviews today. I swear, I don’t think I’m
going to find anyone to fill the two positions at the bakery.”
    Gene chuckled and Devon cleared his throat.
    “I keep waiting for the right candidate to come along, but
so far everyone has been a letdown,” Lark continued. She glared at Devon as she
sipped her water.
    “Maybe you’re just being too picky,” Devon shrugged, as he
took a bite of his pepper. His eyes still on her.
    “Well, it is my business so I think I have a right to be.”
    Gene leaned on the counter next to her. “So, I heard Grant
is back. He isn’t pestering you, is he?”
    “No, he’s fine,” Lark smiled, thankful he intervened before
things got out of hand with Devon.
    “Well, let me know. You know I never liked him,” Gene
teased, while he playfully bumped her elbow.
    Lark laughed, some of her unease fluttered away, an idea
formed in her mind. It couldn’t hurt to see if Devon might be interested. Why
she still cared baffled her.
    “So is now a bad time to tell you
Grant and I are going out Saturday night?” Joy overwhelmed her at her