A Little Dare - Brenda Jackson [63]
She stood, deciding to go inside and get ready for bed. Dare had left immediately after dinner saying he had to go to the station and finish up a report he was working on. As usual, before he left he had kissed her deeply, but otherwise he had kept his hands to himself. However, whenever he pulled her into his arms, she knew he wanted her. His erection was always a sure indicator of that fact. But she knew he was fighting his desire for her, which made things confusing, because she didn’t understand why.
As she got ready for bed she continued to wonder what was going on with Dare. Why had he ended all sexual ties between them? Had he assumed she thought things were more serious between them than they really were because of their nightly meetings in her backyard?
As she closed her eyes she knew that if reality could not find her in his arms making love, that she would be there with him in the dreams she knew she would have that night.
Shelly smiled at Ms. Mamie. The older woman had broken her ankle two weeks ago and Shelly had been assigned as her home healthcare nurse. “I thought we had talked about you staying off your foot for a while, Ms. Mamie.”
Ms. Mamie smiled. “I tried, but it isn’t easy when I have so much to do.”
Shelly shook her head. “Well, your ankle will heal a lot quicker if you follow my instructions,” she said, rewrapping the woman’s leg. She made it a point to check on Ms. Mamie at least twice a week, and she enjoyed her visits. Even with only one good leg, the older woman still managed to get around in her kitchen and always had fresh cookies baked when Shelly arrived.
“So, how are things going with you and the sheriff?”
Shelly looked up. “Excuse me?”
“You and the sheriff. How are the two of you doing? Everyone is talking about it.”
Shelly frowned, not understanding. “They are talking about Dare and AJ or about me and Dare?”
“They are talking about you and Dare. Dare and AJ is old news. Everyone knew that boy was Dare’s son even if Dare was a little slow in coming around and realizing that fact Shelly’s mind immediately took in what Ms. Mamie had said. She’d had no idea that she and Dare were now the focus of the towns peoples’ attention. “Why are people talking about me and Dare?”
“Because everyone knows how hard he’s trying to woo you.”
Shelly stilled in her task and looked at Ms. Mamie. She couldn’t help but grin at something so ridiculous. “Why would people think Dare is trying to woo me?”
“Because he is, dear.”
The grin was immediately wiped from Shelly’s face. Woo her? Dare? She shook her head. “I think you’re mistaken.”
“No, I’m not,” Ms. Mamie answered matter-of-factly. “In fact, me and the ladies in my sewing club are taking bets.”
Shelly raised a brow. “Bets?”
“Yes, bets as to whether or not you’re going to give him a second chance. All of us know how much he hurt you before.”
Shelly’s head started spinning. “But I still don’t understand why you all would think he was wooing me.”
Ms. Mamie smiled. “Because it’s obvious, Shelly. Luanne tells us each time he sends you flowers, which I understand is once, sometimes twice a week. Then, according to Clara, who lives across the street from you, he comes to dinner every evening and he takes you out on a date occasionally.” The woman’s smile widened. “Clara also mentioned that he’s protecting your reputation by leaving your house at a reasonable time every night so he won’t give the neighbors something to talk about.”
Shelly shook her head. “But none of that means anything.”
Ms. Mamie gently patted her hand. “That’s where you’re wrong, Shelly. It means everything, especially for a man like Dare. The ladies and I have watched him over the years ignore one woman after another, women who threw themselves at him. He never got serious about any of them. When you came back things were different. Anyone with eyes can see that he is smitten with you. That boy has always loved you, and I’ll be the first to say he made a mistake ten years ago, but I feel good knowing