Lacie had an apartment in town where she could be close to both the elementary school and the University – a property owned and managed by the Callaghan family, he noted. Her sister crashed with her sometimes, especially when she had early morning classes, but technically still lived at home with their parents.
Lacie was curious about him, too. Shane obviously couldn’t tell her everything about himself, but he did mention that he had a law degree and was active in the local family businesses. She seemed to be somewhat familiar with his family, which was not surprising since Pine Ridge was a relatively small community. She knew of the Pub his brothers Jake and Ian ran together, though she admitted she’d never actually been inside. She was also familiar with the garage his twin Sean owned and operated. She had heard that Maggie married a Callaghan, a doctor whose name she could not quite recall until Shane told her, and that Kieran ran the popular fitness center BodyWorks downtown.
When Lacie’s cell phone sounded – a pleasant, classical melody – she gasped at the time. “Excuse me,” she said to Shane, putting the device up to her ear.
“Where the hell are you? Is everything alright?” Lacie immediately held the phone away from her ear, wincing. Shane had no trouble hearing the agitated male voice projecting through the tiny speaker. Inwardly, he tensed.
“I’m fine,” Lacie said when the shouting stopped, shooting an apologetic glance at Shane. “Just lost track of time.”
The caller fired off another series of questions in rapid succession: What are you doing? Are you still at the University? It’s too late to be out, tell me where you are and I’ll come and pick you up... Lacie responded with practiced patience; Shane had the distinct impression that this was a common occurrence and that she was used to it. He, however, was not, and found it gratingly irritating.
“Coffee, I’m having coffee. Yes, I’m still on campus. No, I don’t want you to come and get me. I’m perfectly capable of getting myself home.”
There was a brief pause, then, You’re not alone, are you? Who’s with you, Lacie?
Shane heard the man clearly, and bristled at the possessive warning tone in his voice. His mind brought up the image from the re-zoning hearing, and somehow he knew it was the same man.
“That’s really none of your business,” Lacie said, politely but firmly, her cheeks pinkening a bit in either embarrassment or annoyance, maybe a little of each. “And I’ll be fine. Go to bed, Craig. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She disconnected the call and sighed.
“I’m sorry,” she said to Shane as she began to pile the remains of sugar packets and creamers on the tray. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I really should be going. Thanks for the coffee and the donut, as well as your company. This was really nice.”
He didn’t like the shadow that darkened her pretty face. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” she smiled unconvincingly.
“An ex?” he prompted, pressing where he knew he had not yet earned the right. Normally he was not one to push, but he could not help himself.
“No,” she said quickly. “Nothing like that. More like an overprotective big brother.”
Maybe to her, Shane thought, but his instincts told him the caller saw things a bit differently. It was something that would have to be investigated in greater detail, but that was for a later time. One when she was not looking up at him with those big blue eyes and their time together was drawing to such a swift and unwelcome close.
“You’re safe with me,” he said softly.
Oh, the look she gave him! He would remember that look - hope mixed with a touch of wonder. Anticipation and something else, something strong and feral, bubbled in his veins.
“Yes.” A simple affirmation, but one that he felt all through his body. Did she feel it, too, he wondered? That connection that was already forming between them?
He smiled, forcing his hands into his pockets to keep from sliding his fingers into that silken mass and kissing her, erasing every other man from her memory. “I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an evening so much,” he said truthfully.
“Doesn’t say much for your social life,” she teased, but he could tell that she was pleased.
“I can say the same of yours,” he countered, his eyes twinkling.
“I don’t know,” she mused, “I think I definitely got the better end of the deal.” She stood, tossing her backpack over one shoulder. Shane picked up the tray and followed her toward the door, falling into step beside her as they walked toward the commuter parking lot. Perhaps he should have asked if she minded the escort, but it didn’t matter. He was not going to let her walk through the campus alone this late at night.
She stopped at a little silvery blue VW Passat, not one of the later models but in relatively good condition. Shane opened the door for her and glanced inside. The interior was clean, but somewhat untidy.