Whispers (Argent Springs) (11 page)

“Roger, that.”

Instead of putting the truck back in gear, he
shifted in his seat. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she asked, trying not to let her frustration
show.

“That your marriage didn’t work out.”

She turned away, looking out the window. She
didn’t want his sympathy, didn’t need this conversation. “It doesn’t matter.
That’s all in the past now.”

He paused for a moment, but when she didn’t turn back
his way or engage in further conversation, he put the truck in gear.

“It still sucks. When someone you love lets you
down, it can hurt for a long time.”

Was he talking about him or her?

They drove for a while in silence. The more time
that passed, the more she felt like a jerk for tossing her issues in his face.
Then again, he’d been the one to accuse her and Annabelle of somehow tricking
him into a relationship.

“I sure hope someone finds them,” she finally said
when the silence grew louder than a shriek.

“Me, too.”

“It sounds like they’ve done this before.”

“I think Gert’s daughter feels like she has
something to prove to her mom.”

Erin refrained from commenting. She couldn’t blame
the girl. Not with a mother like Gert.

“Last summer, the girl took off with the Thomas
boy. This year, she’s hooked up with Braiden Cannon. He’ll break her heart if
she doesn’t break his first. His dream is to become a world-class surfing
champion. He’s spends some of the year with his dad along the coast in
California, and I hear he’s pretty good. Soon as he graduates from high school,
he’s out of this town, and I doubt he’ll take her with him.”

“Surfing? Does he drive a white SUV with surfing
stickers all over it?”

Rick pressed on the brakes, his truck sliding down
the steep decline before it came to a stop. “Have you seen him?”

She bit the inside of her cheek, knowing her next
words would cost her. “I saw a white SUV when I stopped today to capture some
shots of the mountains.”

“And where was that?”

“The first little parking area up the road by the
cross.”

He cursed under his breath and grabbed the radio
mike. “Allen. Rick here. That kid’s SUV was spotted at the first turnout up
Cross Canyon this afternoon at about…” He leveled a formidable look at Erin.

“Three o’clock.” The SUV had still been there when
she’d come down from the hills.

Rick repeated her answer, and Allen sighed off,
saying he’d contact Kellan and see if he’d be willing to head in that direction.
Rick hung up the mike and then trapped her with a disappointed look.

“I don’t want to hear it,” she said, cutting him
off before he could lecture her.

“What happened to the truce we made earlier today?
The one where you promised to not cause anyone any grief?”

“I didn’t,” she tossed back at him. “Annabelle
wasn’t worried, and you didn’t have to come looking for me. If I hadn’t said
anything just now, you wouldn’t even know.”

“Did you hurt your foot or not?”

She rolled her eyes. “Listen, Rick. I don’t understand
where all this concern is coming from. I’m a grown adult perfectly capable of
taking care of myself, and you don’t even like me.”

He narrowed his gaze. “I like you…I just don’t
like
you.”

Ouch. “I don’t want you to
like
me. I just
don’t want to feel like we’re at odds all the time.” And she meant that. As
much as she was attracted to his looks, she didn’t need this kind of contention
in her life.

He stared out the window into the blizzard beyond,
and then sighed. She hoped he’d realize he’d pegged her all wrong. If he really
took the time to think about it, she hadn’t made any kind of overtures where he
was concerned. She’d been polite, but mostly stayed out of his way. He couldn’t
possibly think she was after him.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

His apology shocked the hell out of her and stole
her words once again. Just when she’d given up on him, he had to do another
switch, giving her a glimpse of the friendly guy she’d experienced when others
were around. Not fair.

“We both care about Annabelle. We should be
friends.” He nodded as though agreeing with himself. “Things will be better
between us. I promise.”

She sat for a moment not sure how to respond, and
then nodded as she relaxed against the seat. “Okay.” She hoped she could trust
him to not be a jerk.

He put his truck in drive. The tires gripped the
ever-deepening snow, moving them forward as some of the awkwardness evaporated
from inside the truck cab. “Let’s hope by the time we get back to town they’ve
found those kids.”

When Erin and Rick returned, the atmosphere inside
Town Hall had completely changed.

“We got ‘em,” Allen announced as she and Rick
walked into the large room. She caught Gert watching her, and she quickly
looked away.

The leader of the group had removed his beanie and
coat. A short blond ponytail held his hair back from his face, and he looked
like he’d be at ease on skis or a mountain bike. “The kid’s battery was dead,
and they couldn’t get cell service up on the mountain. They were in his car,
out of the storm, but it would have been a long, cold night for them with those
freezing temps we’re supposed to have tonight.”

“Thank God they’re okay,” Rick said as the others
gathered around.

“It’s all thanks to you.” Allen gestured toward
Rick.

Rick put a firm hand on the small of Erin’s back,
guiding her forward, and she tried not to notice the warm tingle that shot
through her. “Not me. Erin’s the one who spotted their car earlier.”

“Then it looks like Erin’s the hero for the day.”
Allen reached out to shake her hand. “Or would that be heroine?”

A warm blush heated her cheeks as she took his
hand. She was never one to be the center of attention. Her gaze strayed to Gert
again, and the woman actually gave her a nod of thanks.

“Allen is the mayor of Argent Springs,” Rick said
to Erin before shifting his gaze back to the mayor. “This is Erin… Hell, I
don’t even know your last name.”

“Erin Silvestri,” she filled in for him.

“Annabelle’s granddaughter,” Rick added.

“Niece,” she corrected. “Actually great niece.”

“I knew that.” Rick shook his head as though it would
help him clear it.

“She and my grandmother were sisters,” she said to
Allen.

“Ah,” Allen said with a nod. “Another descendent
of the infamous Rosa.”

A plump woman with graying strands of brown hair
flicked a glance heavy disgust with in her direction, and for the second time
since arriving in Argent Springs, Erin felt slightly unwelcome.

If she didn’t count Rick’s overtures, that was.

“We don’t get to pick our relatives,” Erin said
with a smile, and for some unknown reason, she’d hoped the woman had overheard
her. In the short amount of time since she’d arrived, Erin had fallen in love
with the place, and she really wanted the townsfolk to like her.

Allen laughed in agreement. “Mine was a known
gambler and a womanizer. Might have even slept with Rosa a time or two,” he
said with a look that suggested he might not be opposed to the idea of
repeating history.

The plump woman released an annoyed sigh and
tugged on the elbow of the man standing next to her. “It’s time to go home,
Roland. Show’s over.” She said it loud enough to draw Allen’s and Rick’s
attention.

Allen linked his arm through Erin’s. “Come sit
with me in my office for a few minutes, will you?”

Erin glanced at Rick who had a less-than-happy
look on his face. “Don’t leave me, okay?”

He gave her a curt nod that she hoped meant he
agreed to wait. Annabelle’s house wasn’t far away. She could probably get there
within a couple of minutes if the snow didn’t slow her up too much. But frigid
air owned the night, and, although she was sure Allen was a respected member of
the community, she really didn’t want to be alone with a man she’d just met.

“Don’t worry about it, Rick. I’d be more than
happy to give Erin a ride home when we’re finished.”

“Whatever.” Rick shrugged and turned away.

Slightly unnerved, she followed the mayor down the
hallway and waited while he unlocked his office. Inside, wood paneling and a
large mahogany desk warmed the room, even if the furnishings were far past
outdated.

“Please, sit down,” Allen said, indicating the red
upholstered chair across the desk from him.

She took a seat, not quite sure what to expect
from his impromptu meeting.

“Erin Silvestri.” He leaned back in his chair, his
gaze taking in as much of her as possible, making her a little uncomfortable.
Then he sat forward in his chair, folding his large hands in front of him, his
blue eyes sparkling with charm. “It’s very nice to meet you. I’m a huge fan of
your aunt’s. She’s always been a dependable supporter of Argent Springs and of
me personally.”

His comments were enough to break the ice, and
Erin smiled in return. “She’s a wonderful person. I actually just reconnected
with her this summer, and I’m so glad I did. She’s brought a whole new
perspective to my life.”

A warm smile lit his face, and he nodded. “I think
she has that effect on everyone. We were fortunate when she decided to move
back. Most especially Henderson. He was a lucky man to have her.”

Melancholy over lost opportunities crept in. “I
wish I could have met him. I would have liked to have known the man who could
make my aunt swoon.”

Allen laughed. “He was just like her. Picture her
as a man, and you have it.”

“They were lucky to have found each other, even if
they only had each other for a short while.”

“Which reminds me of the reason I asked you to my
office.”

Ah, shit. He intended to ask her out, and she
really didn’t want to turn him down. But she would.

“I was wondering what you’re doing next Tuesday.”
He raised his brows. He really did have amazing blue eyes, but she experienced
nothing beyond admiration.

“I, uh… Why do you ask?”

“I was hoping you’d be available for a little
volunteer work. In a town this small, we really do rely on each other. Most of
us have day jobs and then fill in where our talents allow. I happen to own a
ski shop as well as being the mayor. During the summer, I have plenty of time
to devote to my mayoral duties which works out well because we have a lot of
tourism in the summers. In the winter when my business picks up, other things
slow down.”

She nearly exhaled out loud. “I’ll only be here
another week and a half, but I’d be happy to pitch in wherever you need me.”

“Great.” His eyes twinkled. “Nina recently had
surgery, and she doesn’t make enough to pay someone to watch her candy shop, so
we’re filling in for her. I need someone Tuesday from ten until five, and if
you’re available, I could use some help the same shift on Wednesday.”

“I’d be delighted.” She couldn’t explain how good
it felt to know she was trusted and needed, and most importantly, not judged
because she wasn’t wearing the latest high-end fashions. “I visited most of the
shops in town a couple of days ago, but I’m not quite sure which one belongs to
Nina.”

“It’s pretty close to Rick’s place, just on the
opposite side of the street. It’s bright pink. If you’re looking, you won’t
miss it.” He stood, grabbing his keys from his desk, and she followed suit,
both of them walking to the door.

Allen opened it, allowing her to walk out before
him. “Thanks, Erin. I’m looking forward to seeing more of you.”

Once again, she was certain he was flirting with
her, but this time instead of feeling awkward, she smiled. “Me, too.”

“Let me grab my coat from the other room, and I’ll
give you a ride.”

“That’s not necessary,” Rick’s voice came from a
shadowed doorway across the hall. “I decided to wait.”

Erin put a hand to her chest, trying to calm the
surge of adrenaline. She’d thought she and Allen were alone in the hall.

“Sure, man,” Allen replied. Before she realized
what he was doing, he pulled her in for a bear hug, wrapping her with strong
arms. “See you soon, Erin.”

She stepped back when he released her, glancing
between the two men, sensitive to some sort of tension between them. “I’ll see
you later.” She turned and headed toward the exit, suddenly preferring freezing
snowflakes to the heated testosterone swirling inside.

Rick caught up to her just in time to open the
door for her. A gust of frigid wind rushed inside, and she stepped out onto the
snow-covered cement. He gripped her elbow, and she looked up at him in
question.

“I told you before. I don’t want you falling again
with your bum ankle.”

She accepted his help without question. It seemed
easier than constantly arguing with him.

Silence claimed the short ride home, and Erin was
grateful Rick was as happy as she was to not engage in pointless conversation.

“Make sure you wipe off your feet,” Rick said once
they were standing on the covered front porch of Annabelle’s house. “Your aunt
will freak if you track water on her hardwood floors.”

Erin stomped her boots on the front step, trying
to dislodge as much snow as possible. Then she leaned over and unlaced her
boots, being careful to not step in discarded snow as she removed them. She
glanced at Rick as he did the same and found him watching her with a veiled
gaze.

“What? Am I doing something wrong?” It seemed that
way whenever he was around.

He shook his head and straightened, leaving his
boots next to the door on the porch. “You just…” He stepped closer and brushed
snow from her shoulders before pulling off her beanie and shaking it.

She blinked a couple of times, not quite sure how
to take his actions. “Thank you.”

She reached up and brushed snow from his shoulders
as he removed his hat. For some ridiculous reason, the whole process seemed
very intimate, almost like foreplay.

He cleared his throat. “Let’s get you inside. It’s
freezing out here.”

No doubt about that. Her toes were already frozen,
and it suddenly dawned on her how serious Rick had been when he’d told her to
be off the mountain before the storm hit. A person caught in this weather
without adequate protection could die. Her heart softened a bit toward him.

Maybe he really did have her best interests in
mind, and he wasn’t being obstinate with her.

She stepped inside the house, grateful for its
shelter. The delicious scent of home-cooked food hit her nostrils and set off a
chain reaction of hunger pangs and a growling stomach.

“That smells good,” Rick said, helping her with
her coat. “I’ll hang up our wet stuff if you want to see if Annabelle’s ready
to eat. I don’t think I can wait much longer.”

Erin found Annabelle in the kitchen, carrying her
dishes to the sink.

“Did you already eat?” Erin asked, glancing from
the oven to the table.

“Oh, sorry, love. I was famished, and I didn’t
know what time you and Rick would be back. But I’m keeping the stroganoff and
rolls warm in the oven for you. Salad’s in the fridge. I’ll help you get
everything out.”

It only took her and Annabelle a couple of minutes
to carry everything to the table, and just as they finished, Rick walked in.

“God, Annabelle, that smells so good. Perfect
after being out in the cold.”

“Don’t thank me. Erin’s the one who put everything
together.”

Embarrassment tingled on her cheeks. “You cooked
it,” she said to Annabelle, needing to direct Rick’s gaze away from her. His dark
eyes always left her feeling so vulnerable.

“I say we eat,” Rick declared, taking a seat at
the table. He eyed Erin as she sat next to him before switching his glance to
Annabelle. “Did you already have dinner?”

“I did,” she said again, giving him an apologetic smile.
“I hope you and Erin will forgive me. I’ve also come down with an awful
headache, and I’m calling it a night. I’d love to hear the details of your
search, but it will have to wait until morning. Just tell me if you found the
kids.”

“They’re safe,” Rick said as he stood. He wrapped
his arms around Annabelle and gave her a hug. “Get some rest, and I’m sure
you’ll feel better in the morning.”

His obvious affection for her aunt tugged at her
emotions.

“Thanks, love.” She leaned over and placed a kiss
on Erin’s head. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Erin grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I hope you
feel better soon. If you want, I can rub your back and neck tomorrow.”

“We’ll see. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” She shuffled
out of the room a little more slowly than usual.

“I hope she’s all right,” Erin said as Rick
resumed his seat.

“Yeah, me, too. She’s slowed down a bit these last
few years.” A warm smile curved his lips, and Erin found herself transfixed by
him. “She’s still a spitfire, though.”

“I hope to grow up just like her.”

He took a roll from the basket and bit into it,
studying her. “I’m sure you will,” he said around a mouthful.

Erin scooped out a serving of stroganoff onto her
plate before passing the dish to Rick. His fingers grazed hers, sending a
sizzle through her.

Damn it. Why did she have to notice everything
about him in such detail? He was just another person in the room, no different
than sitting next to Livia or the Finchers.

She filled her glass with the Merlot Annabelle had
left for them and was about to replace the bottle when Rick lifted his glass
and held it out to her. “Fill me up?”

Even his words seemed seductive.

She did as he asked and set the glass on the table
near him, not wanting a repeat touch that would send another current through
her.

She lifted her own glass and took a long sip,
letting the liquid filter through her, hopefully numbing her overactive
hormones.

“Damn,” Rick said, and she glanced at him. “Did
you really make this?”

The look of pure satisfaction on his face left her
with warm feelings she couldn’t ignore.

She shrugged, trying to hide her smile. “It’s
Annabelle’s recipe.”

“Don’t tell her, but I don’t think hers ever
tastes this good.”

She met his gaze and conflicting signals crashed
through her. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he was trying to make her
like him. “I added a little extra sour cream.”

“That might be what makes all the difference.”

She lifted her fork and took a bite of stroganoff.
She had to admit it tasted pretty good. She didn’t know whether the improved
taste came from her addition to the recipe, or from the fact that they were
cold and hungry, but she was happy she’d been able to please him.