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“It needs to be centered under the ”
“Then why didn’t you say so?”
He put his hands on her waist or what had once been her waist Her breath caught Ryan gently directed her out of the way, then quickly put space between them “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have done that”
Ryan acted as if he’d been too personal with her “It’s okay,” she said
“Stand over there, out of the way, and tell me when I have it where you want it”
“You do know I’nant, not an invalid”
He gave her a pointed look “I’, whether you’re pregnant or not This is one of them Now, tell me where you want it”
Shifting the desk an inch, he looked at her for confirmation It still wasn’t where she wanted it “Move it to the right just a little”
Had he muttered “Women” under his breath?
“That’s it Perfect Thank you”
He stood and rubbed his lower back
She stepped closer “Did you hurt yourself?”
He grinned “No I was just afraid that youelse”
“Hey, you’re the one who volunteered”
“That I did I ain” He continued stretching
“Might ought to?” She liked his accent
“Ought to Texas Southern Ought to go Ought to get”
Phoebe laughed “I’ll have to remember that Use it sometime”
“I think you ought not make fun of me”
“And I think you ought not be so sensitive”
They both laughed
It was the first real laugh she’d shared with soood
“Well, I guess I had better go It’s getting late”
“I really appreciate all your work today The baby’s rooe sales and look for a chest of drawers”
“And how do you plan to get so like that home?”
“I’ll worry about that if I find one So to deliver if I ask”
“I don’t have any o with you on Saturday?”
She like the idea but didn’t want to take advantage of him “I hate to take up another one of your weekends”
“I’d like to go I’ve got a buddy who has a truck and lets me borrow it sometimes”
The truck was a plus and it would be nice to have company “I won’t turn that down”
“Great I’ll be here early Saturday to pick you up”
Ryan headed out the front door “See you then”
“Bye” Phoebe watched fro hi to look forward to Of course she appreciated his help but more than that she liked him There was an easy way about him that made life seem like fun She was far too attracted to hiht about him Maybe she had found someone she could depend on
Warered where Ryan had touched her A ripple of awareness had gone up her spine What was she thinking? Joshua had been dead for less than a year and she had a baby on the way, and here she wasover Ryan
Still, Saturday couldn’t coh
CHAPTER FOUR
RYAN PULLED THE truck to the curb in front of Phoebe’s house just as the sun became warm
What was he doing? The question kept rotating through hisdoor He was too interested in Phoebe But it was hard not to be Those large, vulnerable eyes drew him in Still, he admired the way she had stood up to hi her around The brief moments he’d touched her waist had told hioing to happen Still, he’d looked forward to spending the day with her
Phoebe met him halfway up the walk She wore jeans and a simple white shirt Her eyes sparkled and for a woman of her size she walked with a peppy step A stime A fresh start
If he’d seen any wo, he couldn’t remember when “Mornin’”
“Hi You ready to go? We need to get going You know the early bird gets the worm” She carried a newspaper and passed hi the s in the air He was tempted to breathe deeply Let his mind commit it to memory
“Uh … yeah I’m ready” Ryan wasn’t able to keep the astonishment out of his voice He hurried to join her Phoebe was a woman on a mission