Restore My Heart (12 page)

Sally bit back the question. To ask about Nina’s riding accident opened herself up to questions about her own. Sally had relived that scene too often to go through telling it again. No way. “The third stall’s empty.”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “That was Etta’s. She had to be destroyed several years ago.”

Without asking, Sally knew Etta was involved in Nina’s accident. Again, she resisted the question.

Joe released her hand. “Want to see where I live?”

“Sure.”

With his hand at the small of her back, Joe guided her through the tack room to the other side of the building, to what appeared to be servant’s quarters or a guest house. Exposed beams and unfinished log walls gave the place a rustic, masculine look. A large bedroom, tiny kitchenette, and bathroom made up Joe’s apartment, along with a door to what she presumed was a closet.

“You live here?”

“For now.” He plopped down on the plaid flannel bedspread, motioning her to join him.

Not a wise move, Sally thought, as she perched on the edge of the bed. Although she avoided touching Joe, a powerful intimacy lurked, reminding her of the night on her own bed when he’d massaged her leg.

“Thank you for agreeing to go to Indiana with me today. It’ll be late when we get back.”

“That’s okay.” She shrugged. It wasn’t as if she had anything else to do. She’d left her dad sandwich supplies. And his anti-depressant, if he’d bother to take it. “I hope you’re able to find out something.”

“Yeah. I just wish I knew what to ask him about the engine without offending him. I don’t want to accuse him of defrauding Dad. As you pointed out, Dad should’ve known better.”

“Maybe I can help. Let me fish around to see how much Mr. Steele knows about Darrins. Could be, he was duped by the person he bought it from.”

“You’d do that? Oh, Sally, that’d really help me.” His eyes brightened, the tight lines at their corners relaxing.

“I’m glad to help.”

“I meant what I said earlier. You aren’t like other women.” Joe slid the back of his hand along her cheek.

Sally closed her eyes, biting back a moan. Danger, danger, her little voice cried. The bed shifted with his weight as he moved closer, cupping her face in both hands. Her heart slammed into her ribs, robbing her of oxygen.

“Look at me,” he whispered.

She blinked open her eyes. His face filled her vision, his breath fanned her face. She couldn’t have pulled away from the seductive pull of his dark eyes, even if the building were on fire. Maybe it was. Her body certainly felt like it.

“I don’t know what those men in your past did, Sally, but I’m not like them. Do you understand?”

He searched her eyes, demanding an answer. She barely managed a whispered “Yes.”

“You are a desirable woman.
I
desire you.”

Her heart kicked into passing gear. His eyes blazed with blatant desire. It shocked her. It thrilled her. Feminine power she hadn’t known existed buoyed inside her. Robbed of speech, she simply stared. His face lowered to hers, his mouth pausing mere inches from her lips.

His gaze questioned her, allowing her a refusal. A delay. In answer, she lifted her chin ever so slightly and closed her eyes. His lips touched hers, a whisper of a kiss. With gentle pressure, he angled his mouth and pulled closer. Sliding his hands along her shoulders and arms, he slipped them around her waist.

Exposed, vulnerable, she told herself to pull away. But she wasn’t listening to the nagging little voice. Her mind spinning, her hands swept over his shoulders, snaked around his neck, urging him closer. He moaned his approval and slid his tongue between the seam of her lips. Raw need ripped through her.

She forgot about Joe’s family, dinner, her leg, everything except having this man’s body against hers. Drunk with passion, she groaned a protest when Joe ended the kiss. She forced her heavy eyelids open.

Joe rested his forehead against hers. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that.”

Exactly what had he not expected? To kiss her? Or had he been as affected by it as she? Had he, too, been rocked off his foundation? “Me, either.”

He sighed. “If I don’t take you back inside to meet the rest of the family, I might kiss you again.”

“That would be a bad thing?”

He planted a soft kiss on her forehead as he pulled away. “Bad timing is all. Grandma’s probably organizing a search party as we speak.”

“Then we’d better hurry.”

Joe helped her up from the bed. “Yeah. Grandma’s sharp. This’ll be the first place she’ll look.”

Kissing Sally hadn’t been on Joe’s agenda. His surrender to the powerful temptation of her lips was as surprising as the aftershock. He liked Sally, considered her a friend. He’d even found her attractive. But never in his wildest imaginings did he expect her to kiss like that.
Wow
didn’t begin to cover it.

Grandma’s running narrative on the Casale and Desalvo families monopolized Sally’s attention. Sitting across from her, Joe struggled to follow the dinner conversation. That kiss had his insides pulled tighter than a saddle cinch. He grew hard just thinking about the taste of her.

“—and all Brendan worries about is security.” Fia sniffed, plucking a dinner roll from the basket.

“Huh?” Joe turned to his sister. “What was that about security?”

Fia leaned closer. “You aren’t listening, Joey. I’m talking about the break-in.”

“Break-in?” Grandma squawked. “Where?”

“At Brendan’s clinic, Grandma. Somebody stole drugs from the cooler.”

“Is this common?” Joe asked. “I mean, are veterinarian drugs popular on the street now?”

“Not really.” Fia shrugged. “Brendan’s overreacting.”

It wouldn’t be the first time. The guy was the world’s biggest worrywart, the last thing his serious sister needed. Joe had hoped Fia would meet someone who’d show her how to relax and enjoy life.

“Is your fiancé a vet, too?” Sally asked. Fia nodded while chewing. “Is that where you practice?”

“Yes.” Fia sipped her iced tea. “Anyway, Brendan’s obsessed with improving the alarm system.”

Their mother frowned. “I didn’t realize you’d been burglarized, honey. When was this?”

“Uh, two weeks ago. Right before—”

A hush fell over the dining room. Even his chatty three-year-old niece, with her red curls and large brown eyes, quieted.

Grandma sighed into the strained silence. “Say it. Right before Leo died. It’s all right to remember your dad, Sofia.”

“Grandma’s right.” Joe glanced at each face in the dining room. Fia to his right, Nina, Mom, then Terry and Samantha sitting beside Grandma and Sally. His gaze settled on the empty chair at the head of the table. “We need to talk about Dad. To remember him.”

“I loved him like a son,” Grandma said, facing Sally. “Did you know he invited me to move in here? Imagine that! A man wanting his mother-in-law to move in.”

“He meant it, Mama. Why don’t you? I could use the company.”

Grandma shook her head, her white poodle-perm hugging her scalp, then leaned toward Sally. “They mean well, you know. These kids. But I’d be bored here. Miss all my outings, my friends.”

Lucinda cleared her throat. “Speaking of outings, Mother, what time is your doctor’s appointment tomorrow?”

“Three o’clock. If you ask me, it’s silly I can’t drive myself. Said I might be woozy, of all things.” She huffed a breath.

“I could pick you up, Grandma,” Joe said. “I’ll be going into the office with Mom in the morning, but my afternoon’s yours.”

Grandma perked up, then winked at Sally. “Good deal, Joey. Could we ride in your Kaiser?” Before he could answer, she plowed ahead, telling Sally about the Stutz Bearcats, Studebakers, and Huppmobiles she’d ridden in years ago. “Has Sally seen Leo’s collection, Joe?”

“Not yet.”

“She can see it next Sunday when you bring her back.”

Fia leaned close and whispered, “Grandma’s usual subtlety.”

Lucinda passed the pot roast to Terry. “Seconds? I don’t want leftovers.”

“How are the plans going for the Derby Ball, Grandma?” Fia asked.

“Fine, although it won’t be the same without your father. I could always count on him, you know, to crown the queen for me.”

“Count me out this year, Mama,” Lucinda added. “I’m not going without Leo.”

“No one expects you to, dear.” She turned to Sally. “What got you into restoring old cars?”

“It’s in my blood, I guess. Today’s cars with their computers and electronics bore me.”

“Joe says he’s going to drive the Darrin. Give up his lease,” Fia said.

“Really, son?” Lucinda stared at him.

“That’s right,” Joe said.

“How’s the old Darrin going to stand up to Atlanta traffic?” Nina asked. “Didn’t you tell us rush hour moved at eighty miles per hour?”

Joe shrugged. “Sometimes eighty, sometimes eight. That’s why I often telecommute.”

“Telecommute?” Grandma crinkled her eyes. “Seems to me you could telecommute from Louisville. You wouldn’t have to go back down there—”

“Mama!” His mom shot Grandma a warning glance, which the older woman ignored.

“You live in Atlanta?” Sally’s soft question stopped all conversation.

When he met her stare, she quickly looked away, but not before he glimpsed the hurt. He gave himself a mental kick in the butt. He’d told her his home was in Atlanta, hadn’t he? He remembered her asking him if he lived here. For now, he’d said. Damn. She didn’t know. He felt seven years old again, plagued by remorse over exposing the tooth fairy to Nina, ruining the fantasy for her. What fantasy had he spoiled for Sally? It wasn’t as if he’d led her to believe— Memories of that kiss surfaced. Uh oh. He hadn’t planned to mislead her, but he hadn’t planned for that kiss, either.

“Joey lived in Atlanta, dear.” Grandma patted Sally’s hand, as if sensing her hurt. “But I have a feeling he’s not going to want to go back.”

Joe shook his head. Sally didn’t know it yet, but Grandma had tucked her securely under her wing, endorsing the woman for future family membership. Hell, sponsoring her was more like it. He expected Grandma’s matchmaking efforts to be in full swing by tomorrow when he picked her up.

“You don’t just walk away from a vice-presidency, Grandma,” Fia said.

“What? They offered you a promotion?” Grandma’s interest piqued, she temporarily abandoned her matchmaking. “Doing what?”

“I’ll coordinate marketing, with financial advisors reporting to me.”

Grandma smiled at him. “You’ve settled into your career, Joey. I’m proud of you.”

Yeah, right. He heard the unspoken hint.
Settled
was the operative word. He wouldn’t spoil Grandma’s fun, even though he wasn’t in the market for a wife. His new responsibilities demanded all his energies now. He needed a friend and Sally made a good one.

Now all he had to do was erase his memory of that hot kiss.

Sally’s attempts at casual conversation during the drive to Carmel hid the disappointment gnawing her insides. She hoped. Joe mustn’t know how his surprising kiss had affected her, fueling unrealistic dreams of a future.

Joe’s future lay in Atlanta, not Louisville. She had to remember that. Meeting Nina inspired Sally that she, too, could have marriage and family, even with a disability. Just not with Joe. Damn him for that kiss! Worried she’d damage the Darrin’s interior, she loosened her grip on the vinyl armrest. She would resist Joe. She would. No more kisses or longing gazes. No sir-ee. This way Joe wouldn’t have Sally to toy with anymore.

“I hope Grandma didn’t overwhelm you.”

Sally couldn’t help but smile at thoughts of Joe’s colorful grandmother. “Not a bit. She’s a sharp lady. I can’t believe how much she knows about cars.”

“Yeah.” Joe frowned. “She enjoyed listening to my dad’s car stories. I think she knew more about the antique auto side of the business than anyone else in the family.”

“Probably because she remembers the cars before they were antiques. How old is Grandma?”

“Eighty two. Still drives, lives alone in one of those independent living apartments, belongs to a reading club, a bridge group, and volunteers on the Derby Festival committee.”

“She certainly loves working that Derby Ball, doesn’t she?”

“Lives for it. Have you ever been?” he asked.

“Puh-leeze. I’m hardly part of the charity ball crowd, Joe. While the first weekend in May is the Kentucky Derby to your family, it means Busch and Winston Cup races in Richmond, Virginia to us NASCAR fans.” Just another reminder that she and Joe lived in different worlds. If Leo hadn’t been a customer, Sally doubted their paths would’ve crossed, even if Leo had known Dad and Uncle Sal in the army.

“Grandma likes you, you know.”

“I like her, too. I think we bonded the moment she told me she drove a P.T. Cruiser.” Sally chuckled. “Said she’s into that retro stuff.”

“She’s an original. I hope I’m as active when I reach my eighties.” Joe’s voice showed genuine affection for his grandmother.

“I’d settle for being as active right now.” Sally and Joe both laughed. “You’re lucky to have her.”

“What about your grandparents, Sally?”

“All of them have passed away. Mom’s parents died in a pile-up on U.S. 42 before I was born. Dad’s died when I was a teenager.” She shrugged. “I didn’t visit them as often as I should’ve. I always thought I’d have time. Suddenly it was too late.”

“I know the feeling.” Bleakness returned to Joe’s face.

“I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s all right. I’m just taking a while to come to terms with Dad’s death.”

“It’s only been what, two weeks? You’re entitled to some grieving time, Joe.”

Joe dropped his hand over hers, giving it a quick squeeze. What was that about? And why did the simple gesture send her heart hammering into her ribs? She would resist him. She would.

“We’re coming into Indianapolis now.” Joe slowed for the bypass exit. “Okay, navigator. You’re on.”

Sally read the directions to Howard Steele’s house while Joe searched for landmarks. When Joe had called the man, Steele had been agreeable to meeting them. Sally’s eagerness to interview him matched Joe’s. The sooner she figured out what was going on, the sooner she’d finish her business with the FBI. And Joe Desalvo.