he’s had, he’s still a long way from healed.”
“That’s tough. Tough for him, for you, for all who work for him and for the town. The deputy mayor’s death complicated things even more. No one’s really in charge. You’ve sort of stepped into that void, Stella.”
“I’m just doing what I can. There are so many things—from destroyed buildings to lost records and displaced pets. Megan Maguire, the animal shelter director, has worked around the clock a lot of the time. It just takes everybody pulling together and it’s nice you’re back to help.”
He smiled at her. “Maybe, sometime, you need a night out to forget about Royal for a few minutes.”
“Frankly, that sounds like paradise, but I don’t have time right now. Someone texts or calls every other minute. This has been one of the quietest afternoons, but this morning was a stream of calls.”
“Royal could manage without you for a couple of hours.”
“Don’t tempt me, Aaron,” she said, smiling at him. “And I won’t be here tomorrow.”
“I have the feeling that you’re working late into the night, too.”
“You’re right, but every once in a while now, there’ll be a lull in the calls or appointments or hospital visits. Lately, I’ve had some nights to myself. While you’re here, let me show you which projects Cole has finished and where we need the work crews next.”
She spread a map on the table and he pulled his chair closer to her. Aware of her only inches away now, he once again inhaled a faint scent of her rose perfume. He helped her smooth the map out and leaned close, trying to focus on what she told him but finding it difficult to keep his attention from wandering to her so close beside him.
She showed him where they had repaired houses and finished building a new house. Stella told him about different areas on the west side of town, which had taken the brunt of the storm, the problems, the shortages of supplies, the people in the hospital. The problems seemed staggering, yet she was quietly helping, as were so many others she told him about.
He wondered if she had suffered some deep loss herself and understood their pain. He wouldn’t ask, because she probably wouldn’t want to talk about it. He didn’t want anyone to ask him about his loss and he hadn’t reached a point where he could talk about it with others. He didn’t think he ever would. The hurt was deep and personal.
“Aaron?”
Startled, he looked at her. “Sorry, I was thinking about some of these people and their terrible losses. Some things you can’t ever get back.”
“No,” she answered, studying him with a solemn expression. “Houses can be rebuilt, but lives lost are gone. Even some material possessions that hold sentimental value or are antiques—there’s no replacing them. You can’t replace sixty-year-old or older trees—not until you’ve planted new ones and let them grow sixty or seventy years. It tears you up sometimes.” She smiled at him. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re here.”
“We’ll just help where we can. To have a bed and a roof over your head is good and we need to work toward that for everyone.”
“Very good. You and Cole are a godsend,” she said, smiling at him and patting his hand.
He placed his hand on hers. Her hand was soft, warm, smooth. He longed to draw her into his arms and his gaze lowered to her mouth as he remembered kissing her before.
She slipped her hand out from under his. “I think they’re beginning to set up the dining room for tonight. I wonder if they want us to leave,” she said. Her words were slightly breathless and her reaction to him reinforced his determination to spend time with her again.
“We’re not in anyone’s way and I doubt they want us to leave.”
“I didn’t realize how long we’ve talked,” she said.
“Have dinner with me. Then I’ll give you a ride home tonight.”
“I’m still staying here at the inn until the repairs are done on my town house,” she said.
“I’m staying here, too, so I’ll see you often,” he said. She had a faint smile, but he had the feeling that she had put up a barrier. Was she trying to avoid the attraction that had boiled between them the last time they were together? Whatever it was, he wanted to be with her tonight for a time. “Unless you have other plans, since we’re both staying here, then, by all means, have dinner with me.”
There was a slight hesitation before she nodded. “Thank you,” she replied. Even though she accepted his invitation, she had a touch of reluctance in her reply and he had the feeling she was not eager to eat with him.
“Is this headquarters for you?” he asked, his thoughts more on her actions than her words.
“Not at all. I’m not in charge—just another administrative assistant from town hall helping like the others.”
“Not quite just another administrative assistant,” he said, looking at her big blue eyes and remembering her passionate responses. For one night she had made him forget loss and loneliness. “Should your town house be on our list of places to help with reconstruction?” he asked her.
“Thank you, no. The damage wasn’t that extensive, but I was pretty far down on the priorities list. I finally have the work scheduled and some of it has already started. I’m supposed to be back in my place in about a week. Thank goodness. I want to be there before Christmas.”
“Good, although I’m glad you’re staying here in the hotel because that means we can see each other easily,” he said, deciding he would get his suite moved to whatever floor she was on. “They’re setting up for tonight and I need to wash up before dinner. Want to meet again in an hour?” he asked her.
“That’s a good idea. I’ve been busy since seven this morning and I’d welcome a chance to freshen up.”
As they walked out of the restaurant, he turned to her. “What floor are you on?”
“The sixth floor. I have a suite.”
“The same floor I’m on,” he said, smiling at her.
“That’s quite a coincidence,” she said in a skeptical voice.
“It will be when I get my suite moved to the sixth floor, after seeing you to your suite.”
She laughed. “I can find my own way to my suite. You go try to finagle a suite on the sixth floor. I don’t think you can. It’s hopeless. Every available space has been taken because of so many homeless folks having their houses repaired after the storm. People reserved every nook and cranny available in Royal and all the surrounding little towns. Some had to go to Midland, Amarillo and Lubbock. We’re packed, so I don’t think I’ll see you on my floor.”
“So you approve if I can get a suite,” he said.
“I figure it won’t happen,” she answered, looking at him intently.
“Not if you don’t approve,” he said.
“I don’t want more complications in
