Walker Pride

  Chapter Twelve

  Two hours before a job was crunch time. Items were cooking and final touches were being added. This was Susan’s shining moment. This was where organizational skills were a must.

  Bethany had followed her every direction and that had helped to get everything ready for the book club dinner she was catering. It would be thirty people and would give her enough insight into Bethany’s people skills.

  She hadn’t asked again about Eric or questioned about that emotion she’d tripped on with Susan. She’d simply worked steadily alongside her.

  “We can start to load up the car,” Susan said as she checked on the chicken breasts in the oven.

  “Do you have a special van or something parked elsewhere? How do you get this all in that car of yours?”

  “Trust me. It fits.”

  Bethany gave her a chuckle as she began to stack the boxes with dry items.

  They both stopped and looked at each other when the doorbell rang.

  Bethany gave her a shrug. “You’re one of the only people I know in town and the only one that knows I’m here. It must be for you.”

  “Will you see who it is? And if it’s not a Girl Scout with Thin Mints then I’m not buying anything.”

  “Oh, those are my favorite too.” Bethany squealed. “Let’s hope it’s a Girl Scout.”

  Susan continued to pack up the dinner but stopped when she heard the familiar voice. She turned her head to see Eric walking through the door with Bethany.

  “I told you it was for you.”

  There was something about the way he looked at her that sent a shiver down her spine. He didn’t smile. He didn’t even look very happy. But there was something in the way his eyes fell on her that said seeing her was exactly what he’d needed.

  “I didn’t expect you.”

  Eric nodded. “I’m not one to just drop by. But I had to come into town for some plumbing items.”

  There was more to that, she was sure.

  “Well, you’re just in time to help us load up.”

  Bethany picked up one of the sealed tubs. “She thinks it’ll all fit in that car of hers. I think she’s wrong.”

  Now he smiled. “She’s not wrong. I’ve seen her do it.”

  And right there they’d had a moment. A moment he’d reflected on that was theirs. It was simple, but it was there and it gave her heart a little jump.

  “Just set it in the back. I’ll get the chicken out and we can organize it all.”

  Bethany gave her a nod and headed out to the car.

  Because there wasn’t any time to mess around, Susan kept working.

  She grabbed the potholders and pulled the chicken out of the oven, setting it on the stove while she maneuvered the roll of foil.

  “How long is this function tonight?” he asked still standing in the doorway.

  “I’m scheduled for three hours.”

  He rocked back on his heels. “Is Bethany helping or is she in your way?”

  Susan shrugged. “So far she’s a help. We’ll see how she handles people.”

  “I know her father. Give her some leniency.”

  That was a slight cause for alarm, Susan thought. Though Bethany’s father had been kind to her the few minutes she’d ever been around him.

  “I’m sorry I can’t be a little more social,” she said as she draped the foil over the pan holding the chicken.

  “You’re busy. I just…” He stopped and wiped the back of his hand over his brow. “I just wanted to say hi.”

  That alone turned her to mush. She was sure he wasn’t the kind of man to just drop in and say hi.

  She hesitated for a moment, turned, and walked toward him. “I’m glad that you did.” She wanted to pull him in, kiss him softly, but she kept her hands to her side. “You’re still coming in the morning, right?”

  He nodded. “Looking forward to it.”

  “Good.” It was killing her to not move in, so she did. Worst-case scenario, he’d step away. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she eased when his hands came to her waist. “It’s going to be a long night.”

  “Tell me about it,” he said before dipping his head and kissing her softly.

  “C’mon, you two.” Bethany sighed behind them. “Seriously just thought you were going to flirt with each other. Didn’t know it would end up like this.” She passed by them. “By the way, Eric, your flirting is horrible.”

  He gazed down into Susan’s eyes and she could see that wrapped in her arms there was a peacefulness that washed over him.

  “I must have done okay,” he said keeping his eyes locked on hers. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He kissed her gently one last time before walking out of the house.

  Bethany laughed behind her as she watched him walk away. “You know that getting involved with anyone will ruin your plans.”

  “What do you mean?” Susan went back to the stove and carefully placed the chicken in a carrying tote.

  “You’ll get all involved and forget about what needs to be done. I don’t know my cousin well, but I know for a fact that he rarely comes to town. He’s not the kind of man to just stop by and say hi to someone. Once his routine is threatened, he’ll stop coming. Keep focused on what you’re doing. You have plans.”

  Bethany picked up another tote and headed out of the house.

  Susan let out a long breath. She didn’t want to think that way, but there was some merit in what Bethany said. She’d come this far. She couldn’t let her feelings for a man get in her way for success. That had already been done and she didn’t want to go back there.

  But she didn’t want to let it go yet either. He was surging feelings through her she hadn’t felt in a very long time. It was nice to be touched, gazed at, kissed.

  Susan picked up the tote and headed out the door. It would be in the back of her mind. She’d promise herself to not get worked up about the what-ifs. She’d just make the best of what was.

  Right now, she was going to focus on the job at hand and hopefully there would be a few referrals coming her way when it was done.