Be Mine (4 page)

There was no graceful way to apologize. As she floundered, Chad said gently. “That’s why I delegate things, Ms. Hanlon.”

Unable to compensate for her blunder, and uneasy with the unexpected warmth in his eyes, she searched for a change of subject. “I’ll be much more comfortable if you all call me Sabina. I can’t eat at a family table and be `Ms.’d’ to death.”

As if grateful for the adept conversational shift, the twins returned their attention to their plates. Chad said, “Fine. You can return the favor by calling me Chad. I always look over my shoulder for my father when someone calls me Mr. Peters.”

Warmth still lurked in his eyes, and Sabina lowered her eyes to her plate. She hoped he hadn’t notice the color she felt rising in her cheeks.

Chad and Daniel argued good-naturedly about the statistics of the school Daniel’s team would play Friday in the state basketball tournament until Erica broke in. “Chad, I heard the odds in your favor at the mine shortened today. How come?”

Darting a sharp glance at Sabina, Chad snapped, “Where did you hear about that pool?”

“The guys were talking about it when I was out at the site, and I saw Moogie on my way home from play practice today.” Her eyes were mischievous as they turned to Sabina. “Moogie said Jonas started the turnaround in the betting. You didn’t scare poor dear Jonas, did you, Sabina?”

“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about. We got along beautifully, even though he has an unfortunate way of treating me if I were about eight.” Sabina grinned at the memory of her encounter with the little man that morning.

Erica looked at her brother, who frowned and shook his head.

Chad asked tautly, “How much time have you been spending at the site, Erica? I thought the play kept you busy after school.”

She lowered her eyes, but her voice was defiant as she answered, “My part isn’t onstage until the second act. They’re working on act one this week.” She continued defensively, “I like being out there. The guys answer my questions and treat me as if I could do anything they can. Don’t worry, Chad. Tom and Moogie keep an eye on Bobbie. He never comes near me.”

“Women have no business at the cut. Even though you’re protected, there’s always the danger of an accident. Sabina
has
to be there. She knows what she’s doing, but as soon as she finishes the inspection, I’ll keep her away from the area. I don’t want to risk either of you getting injured.”

“Is
that
what Sabina’s here for?” Daniel came out of his absorption with the rapidly disappearing food on his plate. “I thought she just sort of came down to put an okay on everything.”

Chad’s chauvinism made Sabina’s blood boil. She resolved to find a way to show him she was as competent as any man. Rather than cause a scene at the table, she answered Daniel’s question.

“Everything about the operation has to meet state guidelines, Daniel. A lot of people think a woman will be easy to fool. I’m not.”

“I expect the men were looking for someone a mite older and tougher on the eyes, not a little bitty thing like you,” interjected Clara, who had been uncharacteristically quiet until now. “Beats me how men think any woman who takes a responsible job has to be middle-aged and have a face as plain as a plate.”

Giggles immersed the twins, while Chad sighed and favored Sabina with a laughing glance. “Now you’ve set Clara off on women’s rights. Since the whole thing is exactly what she’s believed all her life, she can’t understand what all the fuss is about.” His grin was wicked as he teased, “Maybe you can switch her to the subject of environmentalists and whether they should be given food and shelter.”

CHAPTER THREE

 “Are you an
environmentalist?
” Erica’s tone implied equal status with a child abuser.

Since the beginning of her career, Sabina had encountered the same attitude. She was seldom given a chance to present her case in a rational manner. But now she had
two
battles to fight. Something simmered between her and the watchful man across the table, a chemical reaction which had occurred without any contact. If contact ever took place . . .

His grin was already complacent. She couldn’t let that happen. Quickly scrambling her thoughts into line, she said, “Environmentalist, preservationist, conservationist . . . whatever you want to call me. I simply don’t like to see acres of natural beauty ripped open, gutted and left abused. If you saw what I’ve encountered out west, or even as close as Kentucky, you’d know what I mean.” Still sensing hostility, she said, “In all fairness, Ohio makes a terrific effort to control that kind of thing.”

“Hasn’t Chad shown you . . .?”

“All in good time, Daniel. Sabina spent today at the new site.” Chad’s voice cut across the boy’s question, and his look held his cousin quiet. “I’m sure she won’t jump to any conclusions before she’s seen what we do. We have to teach her that surface mining can benefit everyone.”

* * * *

He wasn’t sure he wanted her to stay, but he was positive he didn’t want her to leave. No state inspector had the right to be so very feminine or smell so good. He could get in over his head without even trying.

He watched Sabina’s spine stiffen. Then she delighted him by responding unthinkingly, “I’m sure I’ll be interested in whatever you have to teach, Chad.”

Caution flying to the wind, he seized the opening. For the first time since he’d met her, he was on familiar ground. When it came to innuendo, he was very much at home. He said softly, “I’m counting on it.”

No one could have missed the seductive timbre of his voice. There was sudden intense interest in the cooling food on three plates.

Clara rose, ostensibly to remove the dinner plates, her eyes twinkling. “Behave yourself now, Chad,” she said.

Jumping to her feet, Erica said brightly, “I have a Latin Club meeting.” She cast a knowing glance at Sabina’s tightening mouth and the stiff set of her head before adding, “I sure hope I’m not going to miss anything good.”

As he rose, Daniel repeated soberly, “You heard what Gran said, Chad,” and followed his sister. His laughter punctuated the sound of their feet echoing on the hardwood floor.

* * * *

Chad appeared to ignore his cousins’ exit. His golden glance held hers.

He’d treated her comments and questions this morning with the respect he would give another professional. Now he was looking at her as if he were the wolf and she were Red Riding Hood. And Sabina felt like the red-caped little innocent. It was difficult to remember her job when her heart beat wildly in her throat.

This was her own fault. She’d given him the opening with her careless response, and he wasn’t enough of a gentleman to let the remark slide. Chad’s relatives were obviously accustomed to applauding whatever he did. Small wonder he probably thought he could walk on water.

 If this small town Lothario thought he would give her a treat, Sabina decided, he was in for a surprise, even though he emanated more horsepower than she’d ever encountered.

 Sabina tore her gaze free, inhaled deeply, and said, “Tell me more about small town banking, Chad. Aren’t most of the small, family-owned banks being bought out by the larger chains?”

Chad had obviously expected her to rise to his bait. Her change of subject startled him, and he answered blankly, “Yes. That is, ah, a lot of them are.”

Sabina maintained a polite expression. Her change of subject worked. Forsaking his attempt at flirtation, Chad chuckled. “One up to you, Sabina,” he said softly. “Actually, there are only four banks. All small, all rural, and all extremely conservative about loans but creative in their investments. We’re very solid, and our customers like the local touch.”

The swinging door from the kitchen flew open. “Here’s dessert. Hot apple pie with cheese. Eat it while it’s warm.” The plates landed surely in front of each of them. “Don’t pick on my guest, Chad. She’s a nice girl, and she can’t help what she does for a living. Remember the time the revenuers came to visit Uncle Tim Hawkins. He was polite even while they smashed his still. You can learn from his good manners.”

“Sabina doesn’t need your protection, Aunt Clara. The lady can take care of herself.”

Clara filled a cup from the carafe she’d set on the table. “I’m glad to hear that, ‘cause I have to get to circle before they give me a committee. Happens every time I miss.”

Sabina lowered her gaze to her plate and said demurely, “I don’t think Chad has done a thing to change my first impression, Mrs. Kincaid.”

“He’s a good boy, and he works hard. Goin’ away to school gave him some notions, so I have to remind him how to behave every once in a while, but I trust him.” She bustled out the door.

Chad’s amused glance followed her, then swung to meet Sabina’s. “Looks like I’ll have to work to restore my standing.” He burst out laughing at the beating his image had just taken.

Relieved that the tension had broken, Sabina joined him.

“We’ll clear the table when we get back, Chad. You and Sabina can just go on giggling and whatever,” Erica’s voice broke in from the archway.

Chad checked his mirth long enough to gasp, “Go.”

Sabina wondered how he dealt with having a Greek chorus bring him up short when he was trying to be macho. Her own family never teased each other. They were serious about privacy, and this open, rather rude, humor was new to her. John had been serious too, she recalled, realizing it had been months since she’d given her ex-fiancé a thought.

The startled expression on her face caught Chad’s attention. “You look as if you just stepped through the looking glass.”

Faced with his steady regard, she settled for a half-truth. “Nothing, really. I was just feeling envious because you’re all so comfortable with each other. You really don’t mind that they tease you in front of a complete stranger.”

 “In my family you take care of yourself or you’re dead. Now, if you should take it into your head to insult me, you’d find yourself standing very much on your own. We don’t allow outsiders the same freedom.”

“That’s what I thought.” She watched the tiny pinpoints of light dancing in his eyes; there was a fine tension in the strong jut of his jaw. He could pounce with little warning. Sabina rose and yawned widely. “I hate to leave such fascinating company, but I really must call it a day. I have to transfer all my notes to forms yet, so if you’ll excuse me . . .”

“Coward,” he murmured as he stood and drifted halfway around the table with the effortless economy of movement she’d been so aware of during their morning inspection at the site.

Her voice sounded thin even to her own ears. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. I have a job to do, and I need my rest to do it properly.” Averting her eyes, she searched the paneling with fumbling fingers for the door to her suite.

Without appearing to move, Chad was ahead of her, holding open the panel. To enter, she had to pass within inches of him, through a danger zone of singing vitality. Sabina froze in place, unable to move within the perimeter of his aura.

“You’re afraid I’ll touch you. You should be.” The gaze locked on hers was a blaze of deep amber; the caressing voice would have tempted Mother Theresa.

Although a spiral of pure anticipation curled deep within her, she said evasively, “I’ll see you tomorrow at your office.”

His eyes held her gaze briefly, then he smiled. “I’ll pick you up. There are several places I want to show you in the afternoon.” He moved closer. “Remember, I have to educate you . . . about creative reclamation.”

“I’m sure there’s little you can show me I don’t already know.” She felt as if she weren’t getting enough air.

His fingers smoothed her hair behind her ear, the movement intentionally provocative. As his hand traveled a knowing path over the shining strands, each individual hair clung to his skin. She felt his warm breath pulse against her forehead as he whispered, “We’ll just have to find out, won’t we.”

Sabina panicked and ran.

* * * *

Chad watched her desperate disappearance. It was just as well. In another minute he might have made an idiot of himself. The lady from the state looked like a wide-eyed innocent, but underneath he sensed intelligence, cleverness, and stubbornness. She didn’t back off. Maybe she possessed as much arrogance he did.

The scent of jasmine lingered in his nostrils. He would enjoy bringing each nugget of her personality to the surface. The thought amused him. After all, he was a miner, wasn’t he?

 * * * *

The next morning Sabina stood in the shower longer than usual. After claiming exhaustion, she had tossed and turned throughout the night. The scene at her door last night had unnerved her, yet she found she could barely wait to engage the enemy again. She turned off the taps.

The tempting aromas of coffee and frying ham permeating the air made her hurry, and she dressed quickly and searched out the homey kitchen. Crisp no-nonsense yellow and white checked curtains covering a row of tall windows appeared to capture and magnify the sun pouring through them.

“You’re just in time, Sabina. Erica, go finish dryin’ your hair. You’ll catch your death if you go out in the cold with a damp head.” Clara rested her hands on apron-covered hips and eyed Sabina’s Icelandic wool sweater and twill slacks with approval. “Your boots are all clean. I put them next to the register so’s you’ll start off warm. How do you like your eggs?”

Sabina protested, “Mrs. Kincaid, you didn’t have to do that,”

“Don’t thank her. You haven’t seen her bill yet,” Erica threw over her shoulder as she left.

Ignoring the saucy interruption, Clara demanded, “About those eggs . . .”

Chastened, Sabina took the seat Erica had vacated. “Scrambled, please. If it isn’t too much trouble.”

Chad’s voice, low and teasing, reached her ear. “Actually, if she hadn’t taken a liking to you, your boots could have rotted on the back step.”

“I heard that, Chad Peters. You just eat your flapjacks and tend your own business.” Clara’s voice held authority.

Sabina tilted a grumpy look in Chad’s direction. “You’re certainly cheerful this morning.” She found mornings impossible until she had had at least two cups of coffee.