"You visiting someone around here or just passing through?” His voice jolted her. She hadn't realized he was paying any attention to her, as he seemed totally focused on his task.
"I...ah...I have business in Jamesville.” That was the truth, but not the entire truth.
"That so?” He yanked off the flat tire and grabbed the spare, popping it on quickly. “You going to be here long?"
That was the same question she'd been asking herself for the past few weeks since she'd first gotten the news that had ultimately brought her here. “Yes.” Determination filled her. She'd promised herself that she would free herself from the past once and for all.
He glanced up, his stormy eyes capturing her gaze. “I thought you could buy me a cup of coffee and maybe a piece of pie to say thanks.” When he grinned, she could see a dimple in his left cheek. The man was outrageous, but he made her smile. She could feel her lips parting, the corners turning upward, as she shook her head. “Now don't answer too quickly,” he drawled. “You might hurt my feelings."
The man was flirting with her. She laughed and leaned her arm on the window, staring at him. He certainly wasn't hard on the eyes. Crouched down like he was, the faded material of his jeans outlined the muscles of his thighs. His biceps rippled as he spun the tire iron, tightening the lug nuts on the spare.
Cyndi wasn't usually this at ease with a man she'd just met. In fact, because of her past, she had a hard time trusting any man. But this stranger had a way about him. She was sure he could charm the birds from the trees without even trying.
"I'm sure you've got plenty of women your own age wanting to take you out for lunch and supper and anything else you might want.” Inserting her age in there was a way for her to take a step back from the situation. It was a reminder to herself that he was harmlessly flirting. He didn't really mean it.
A guy that good-looking had to have a girlfriend, or several girlfriends for that matter. Or maybe even a wife. She glanced at his hand, but there was no ring. That didn't really signify anything though. Her ex-husband had taken to leaving his wedding ring at home while he was cheating on her. She pushed away the memories. That was a long time ago and she was no longer the young, naive woman she'd been back then.
The front of the car lowered back to the ground. He picked up the jack, tire iron, and flat tire, taking them around to the trunk. The back of the vehicle jerked as he tossed it all inside. As she watched him out the side window, he picked up her boxes and suitcases and loaded them back into the car. The trunk came down with a heavy thud. He was finished and she was ready to be on her way again.
He wasn't smiling when he reached the driver's side. “I didn't mean to make you feel as if you owed me anything for doing this.” He propped his hands on his hips and stared down at her.
Now Cyndi felt embarrassed. “I didn't think you were serious. I mean, you're obviously so much younger than me...” Her voice trailed off. She didn't know what else to say without making a complete idiot of herself.
"Not that much younger and you're a very beautiful woman."
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. Who was he trying to kid? She knew she looked like crap at the moment.
"I thought that if you were going to be staying in town a while, I might take you out for coffee at the local diner. That's all. I understand if you don't want to."
Now she felt ungrateful and petty. “I'm sorry. I really appreciate the invitation.” Her words were neither an acceptance nor a denial. His offer was tempting. She could certainly use a friend, but if she was going to settle here, the last thing she needed was to get involved with a man like this one. Cyndi knew she was right in assuming he could probably date just about any single woman in town. She had enough problems on her plate without adding to them.
"Good enough. If you're here a while, I'm sure we'll run into one another. If you're looking for a good place to eat, check out Jessie's on Main Street."
"Jessie's is still there!” She wanted to call the words back as soon as she'd said them.
He grinned. “I take it you're familiar with Jamesville."
Cyndi nodded, not wanting to answer any more questions. “I haven't been back in a lot of years."
"Some things have changed, but you'll probably find almost as many that are the same. If you stop by Sampson's Garage, Mike will take care of that flat tire for you.” He wiped his hand down over his thigh and extended it. “Shamus O'Rourke."
She took his hand without thought, his name beating at her brain. “Cyndi Marks."
His much larger hand wrapped around her fingers, holding them for a brief second longer than necessary, but not so long as to make her feel uncomfortable. “Pleased to meet you, Cyndi Marks,” he murmured. “And I'll definitely be seeing you around town.” With that parting shot, he tapped his hand on the roof and turned away. “Drive carefully."
She watched as he sauntered back to his truck and climbed in. He had a loose-limbed gait that would make any woman's mouth water. But hers was dry. Shamus O'Rourke. What were the odds that she'd run into one of the O'Rourke family before she'd even hit town? She had a bad feeling about the days ahead. They were not going to be easy.
His truck pulled away and she heard the friendly toot of his horn as he gave her a wave through his open window.
Cyndi shivered, the cool wind reminding her that her window was still rolled down. She put up the window, reached into her pocket, and pulled out her keys. Shoving them into the ignition, she gave them a sharp turn. Cyndi took a deep breath, wrapped her hands around the wheel, and eased the vehicle back onto the road. She kept her speed down, not wanting to catch up with Shamus.
He obviously hadn't recognized her, but then again, why would he? She'd changed so much, and not just in appearance, since she'd left town. He'd have been a teenager when she'd dragged herself aboard the bus for Vermont so long ago. No reason he'd even remember her at all.
There were many in town who would remember her and not fondly. Her stomach lurched, and she focused on her breathing to calm herself. The past was the past. She couldn't change it, but she could try to come to terms with it and put it behind her once and for all. That was the main reason for coming back to Jamesville. Her father's death had precipitated her unexpected homecoming and brought a lot of unforeseen changes to her life.
As the town limits came into view, cold sweat trickled down between her shoulder blades, making her shiver. Memories rose up to taunt her. Cruel images from the past flitted through her mind like an old movie she had seen so many times that she knew every image and line by heart.
She drove her car down Main Street, but she didn't really see it. She focused all her attention on her destination. The stately, brick building came into view, and she pulled into a parking spot right in front of it. Stuffing her phone back into her purse, she forced herself to get out of the vehicle and lock it behind her.
Every step was torture as she made her way up the stone walkway and the three short steps that led to the door. The discreet plaque off to the side identified it as the offices of Harris and Hammond, attorneys.
Bile churned in her belly and she swallowed hard. She should have gone to a motel tonight and dealt with this in the morning. She should have given herself more time to shore up her defenses against the shadows of the past.
But it was too late. She was here and her days of being a coward were over.
Grabbing the handle, she turned it, pulling the heavy door open. As she stepped inside, she tried to compose herself as best she could. Tilting her chin up, she squared her shoulders and strode confidently to the receptionist's desk.