Stacie, Anna and other women in the community had helped with the preparation.
“If we’re late, it’s my fault.” A tiny smile hovered at the corners of Lauren’s lips, her tone holding no apology. “But I don’t regret taking that last call.”
Though she’d gone into the other room for the conversation, Seth had still heard bits and pieces.
“You have such a calming manner. I’m sure you’re an excellent counselor.”
Unlike his sister, who could be hyper at times, or Stacie, who was as flighty as they came, Lauren’s quiet confidence had the power to defuse even the most stressful situation. Like after the fire. She’d stepped up and done what needed to be done.
“I love helping people,” Lauren admitted. “It isn’t a one-way street. Each person teaches me something, too.”
“Well, the crisis line is lucky to have you.” Seth kept his eyes firmly fixed on the road, finding the emotions rising up inside him disturbing. Lust, he could understand. But these tender feelings had come out of nowhere, blindsiding him.
“One-to-one counseling is my passion...or as Stacie would say, my bliss.” Thankfully oblivious to the storm raging inside him, Lauren continued telling him how much the opportunity to help those going through difficult times meant to her. Her eyes sparkled and a smile seemed to have taken up permanent residence on her lips.
Seth found it difficult to keep his eyes on the road. When they reached the street heading to the community center, he wished he could keep driving. He didn’t need to talk to anyone else, laugh with anyone else. Everything he wanted was right in the cab of this truck. Everything he wanted?
No, being with Lauren was relaxing, that was all. As they approached the community center, Lauren leaned forward. “Look at all the cars.”
Seth had been thinking the same thing, although with much less enthusiasm. “I’m not going to be able to park close. How ’bout I drop you off at the door and we reconnect inside?”
It was the gentlemanly thing to do, but Seth found himself hoping she’d refuse. It wouldn’t be that far to walk. She wore boots, not spiky heels. Though there was a chill in the air, it wasn’t cold. He pictured taking her arm, just in case she’d slip....
“Super idea.” Her enthusiasm shattered the image in his mind. “It’ll give me a chance to see if Anna or Stacie needs help.”
“That’s what I thought.” Seth kept his voice even and stopped the truck. “Hold steady. I’ll get your do—”
“I’ve got it covered.” Lauren unclasped her seat belt and pushed the door open herself. “I’ll just buy my ticket on the way in.”
The dinner and dance had a suggested twenty- dollar donation. Seth had planned to pay for her admission as a token of thanks for the extra work she’d put in the past few days. Now her words had blown that all to hell. Was nothing going to go his way this evening? “Save me a seat?”
“You got it.” Lauren winked and stepped from the truck. “See you inside.”
The driver behind him honked. Lauren slammed the door shut and Seth shifted the truck into gear and headed up the street, his heart a little heavier than it had been only a few minutes before.
Still, it made sense Lauren would go in by herself. And pay for her own ticket. By doing so, she would be making a statement. Ensuring no one would get the wrong impression and think they were on a date. It was a smart move. In a town the size of Sweet River you couldn’t be too careful.
What he couldn’t figure out was why he was so bummed. It must simply be that he’d gotten used to having her by his side. That’s why he felt strange parking the truck and walking into the party alone— something he’d done for the last three years without a second thought.
That had to be why his heart stopped beating when he saw Lauren talking with Adam Nordstrom. Not because she was his date, or because he felt closer to her than he had to any woman other than his wife, but simply because he’d gotten accustomed to having her with him.
After arriving, Lauren had been assured by her friends that they had everything under control, so she’d saved two seats at a large round table then gone in search of something to drink. That’s when she ran into Adam.
Unlike the majority of men in the room, Adam had eschewed jeans for a pair of charcoal dress slacks and a button-down shirt, sport coat and tie. He looked very stylish and would have fit in perfectly at any of the parties she used to attend in Denver. Here, he stuck out like a sore thumb.
“I bet you can’t wait to get back to civilization.” Adam handed her a plastic cup filled with beer and kept one for himself.
“I guess.” That’s when Lauren noticed Seth, and she wondered if it’d be too bold to wave to him. Only one thought held her back. Just because he’d told her to save him a seat didn’t mean he wanted to spend the entire evening with her hanging on to his coattails.
And what coattails they were. Although he was wearing jeans—along with ninety-nine percent of the men in the room—his dark brown corduroy jacket dressed up the outfit just enough.
Not only did he look yummy, she knew he smelled heavenly. In fact, several times on the drive into town, she’d started to compliment him on his cologne. Thankfully she’d stopped herself just in time. The last thing she wanted was for him to think she was coming on to him. Or that she considered tonight’s function to be a date.
“Looks like Anderssen has arrived.” Adam’s expression was as unreadable as his eyes. “I assume you’re sitting with him for dinner.”
“He asked me to save him a seat.” Lauren’s stomach tightened into a knot as Seth stopped to talk to a pretty brunette. Shoving aside her irritation, she
