LITMIR.BIZ

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answered it. “Beechwood Family Practice.”

      “It’s Lily,” her friend said quickly. “Are you leaving soon?”

      “I’d better if I don’t want to spend the night.”

      “That’s why I’m calling. A report came over the radio that the power is out on our side of town. So Megan and I are going to stay with Mom tonight.”

      Bea Brinkman, Lily’s mother, was also her child care provider. She watched Megan whenever Lily had to work.

      “Will the power be out all night?” Brianne asked.

      “They don’t know. Do you want to come here and stay with us? Mom says you’re more than welcome.”

      “I don’t know if my car can make it to the farm. Are the roads plowed?”

      “Not yet. I could try to come get you.”

      “No! I don’t want you to take that chance. I can stay here.”

      Jed’s father gruffly but adamantly broke into their conversation. “Young lady, that’s a bad idea. A young woman like you alone in a deserted building at night? Why don’t you come have supper with us, and then we’ll take you wherever you have to go. My truck can get through anything.”

      “Who was that?” Lily asked, apparently hearing bits and pieces of the conversation.

      “It’s Dr. Sawyer’s father. He, uh, suggested I have dinner with them and then he’ll bring me to the farm.” Brianne looked over at Jed.

      He wasn’t exactly frowning, but he didn’t look happy about the turn of events, either. Not hesitating, though, he agreed with his father. “You can’t stay here alone. Come over to the house with us. We’ve got plenty of room. If the roads are too difficult, you can stay the night.”

      “I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”

      “It won’t be any trouble,” he said gruffly. “Dad’s right. If the power is out, we probably should be going before this gets any worse.”

      Brianne certainly didn’t want Lily driving in this snowstorm, or for that matter, Jed’s dad taking a chance driving out to the farm. She knew she’d be perfectly safe with the two men. It was an instinctive knowing.

      After only a few more seconds of hesitation, she said to Lily, “I’ll be at Dr. Sawyer’s if you need me. If the snow stops and the roads are plowed, I’ll join you later.”

      “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” Lily asked, concern in her voice.

      Looking at Jed again, Brianne felt the stirring of excitement that always happened whenever she was around him. Reminding herself that going to the Sawyers’ house was a practical solution, she assured her friend, “Yes, that’s what I want to do. Tell your mom thanks for the offer. I’ll get back to you later.”

      When she hung up the phone, she said brightly, “I guess that’s settled, then. But you have to let me help you with dinner.”

      “We won’t turn down that offer.” Jed’s dad gave her a sly smile and extended his hand to her. “Al Sawyer. And you’re…”

      “Brianne Barrington.”

      “Edward Barrington’s daughter?” Al asked with a lift of his bushy brows.

      “Yes. Did you know him?”

      Nodding, he explained, “I went to see him once…for my heart. Some kind of rhythm problem. He gave me medicine that fixed it right up. I liked him. He wasn’t one of those docs who spend two minutes with you and they’re on their way.”

      “Dad was a good listener.”

      “I couldn’t believe it when I heard about the accident. It’s a shame you’re an only child. Brothers or sisters help at a time like that.”

      Shifting from one booted foot to the other, Al suddenly looked uncomfortable, as if he didn’t know what to say next.

      Jed stepped in. “Dad, why don’t you get the truck heated up? We’ll be right out.”

      The older man seemed grateful that his son had cut off the conversation. “Sure thing. I’ll probably have to clean off the windshield again, so take your time.”

      After Al went through the door, Brianne asked Jed, “Are you sure you want me to come?”

      “You grew up in Sawyer Springs, didn’t you?” he asked, instead of answering.

      “Yes, I did.”

      “Then you know that neighbor helps neighbor here.”

      “Yes, I know that, but…”

      “It’s one of the reasons I came back here, Brianne. Dad was the main reason. But I lived in L.A. before I went to Alaska, and it’s much different out there. Families are mobile units. Neighbors come and go. It’s not at all like here.”

      “You came back because you like Sawyer Springs?”

      “I came back because it was time.” His gaze passed over her again, and it was as if he was studying every light freckle on her nose. “I don’t want you out in this storm any more than Dad does. And this building is no place for you to be on a night like this. I’ll warn you, though—Dad’s a little rough around the edges and pretty blunt sometimes.”

      “Unlike you?” she asked with a smile.

      He shook his head and chuckled. “You got me there. I guess what you’re saying is, if you can put up with me, you can put up with him.”

      “I enjoy working with you, Jed,” she said sincerely. “It’s not a hardship.”

      Tilting his head, he asked, “Are you always this honest?”

      “I try to be. Tactful, too, I hope,” she added teasingly.

      “I see.” With amusement in his eyes, he took a step closer. “There’s honest and blunt, and honest and tactful. I’ll try to remember that.”

      They were standing less than a foot apart. She could almost feel his intensity, sense his heat, see his defenses. For a moment she’d made him laugh.

      Now he became serious again, his voice low. “Get your coat. I’ll make sure everything’s locked up.”

      Five minutes later he held the truck door for her as she climbed in beside his father. The truck seat was roomy, but once Jed shut his door, his down jacket touched the sleeve of her camel wool coat. His trousered leg brushed against hers and Brianne’s breath caught. What was it about this man that excited her so? Although she might be intrigued by him, this excursion to his house could be a colossal mistake. Being impulsive wasn’t in her nature. Yet around him, she almost felt reckless. That was dangerous territory for a virgin who didn’t want to lose her heart.

      “Here we go,” Al said, windshield wipers clearing the snow away while heat poured from the vents.

      When he pulled onto the street through the six-inch-deep snow, Brianne rocked against Jed. He didn’t move and neither did she, and the heat between them seemed a lot more intense than what was coming out of the vents.

      Was it purely her imagination? Certainly, he wasn’t affected by her the way she was affected by him. Yet when she glanced at his profile, she saw the nerve in his jaw twitch.

      There was no one on the roads, and a short time later, Al pulled up in front of a one-and-a-half story house. It was painted blue and accented by black shutters. The porch light was glowing, so apparently the power lines in this part of town hadn’t been damaged.

      Jed opened his door and climbed out, waiting for Brianne. The snow was getting deeper, and when she jumped from the truck, she discovered it was over the top of her leather boots. She wrinkled her nose at the cold sensation, realizing that by the time she walked to the house, her feet would be wet.

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