Home Is Where the Heart Is (Welcome To Redemption) (4 page)

“Can’t you just say you’re sorry and leave it at that?” he demanded. “As if a wedding was as important as the Super Bowl.”

His ridiculously cavalier attitude toward marriage shouldn’t have bothered her, yet it did. “No mystery why you’re still single, is there?”

“I don’t see a wedding band on your finger, either, Hot Stuff. And believe me, no mystery there, either.” He pulled up to a stoplight and turned the full force of his irritation on her.

They eyeballed each other for several heartbeats, and then Lindy’s breath caught as his gaze dropped to her lips. A car horn broke the spell and, with a muttered curse, Drew hit the gas and sped off.

Swirling, fat snowflakes started to drift down just as they turned off onto the highway that led back to Redemption. Lord, she couldn’t wait to get home, get her bed set up, and soak in a hot tub with a good book. Dinner would be a nice roast beef sandwich and...Lindy sat up straight when Drew turned into his own driveway instead of heading on to her place.

“Why are we stopping? Aren’t you taking me home?”

“Strong as I am, I can’t carry a king-size mattress and box springs up two flights of stairs all by myself.”

“Oh.” Duh, she hadn’t thought of that.

Drew climbed from the truck, and then met her gaze with an expectant lift of his brow. “Well?”

“Well what?”

 
“Don’t you think it would be nice to come in and say hello?”

Lindy blew out a silent breath. While she liked all of Matt and Carrie’s friends, she knew if she accompanied Drew inside, they’d be stuck there until the end of the game. And to be honest, Lindy would rather have a root canal than sit through an entire football game. Especially since her temples had started throbbing several miles back. Too bad she didn’t have her laptop with her. She forced a smile. “Of course. Right behind you.”

* * *

Squished into the corner of Drew’s well worn loveseat next to lovebirds Matt and Carrie, her ass wedged so far into the cushion they were going to need a crowbar to pry her out, Lindy wanted nothing more than to stick a fork into her temple and end her misery. She’d spent the last hour listening to a roomful of Mayberry’s finest scream like banshees, causing her mild headache to morph into a full-blown migraine. My God, she hadn’t thought it possible to dislike football anymore than she already did, but holy touchdown she’d never been more wrong.

“Hey, Hot Stuff, want a hotdog?”

She glared up at the object of her misery with all the disgust and loathing she could muster considering her head was on the verge of implosion. “No. Thank you,” she bit out, tempted to cram the proffered hotdog down his throat. “What I want is to go home, get my bed set up, and take a hot bath.”

His smiled disappeared. “Can’t you just relax and enjoy yourself for a change?”

“Once I’m submerged to my neck in bubbles, I’ll relax and enjoy myself.” She tried to stand, but the stupid couch sucked her back in. She shot him a look. “A little help, please?”

Drew shoved the hotdog into his mouth, at the same time he grasped her hand and plucked her from her cushiony hell.
Jackass.
She barely managed to keep her balance as he let go and stepped past her to give Matt’s shin a kick.

“Hey, you ready to give me a hand with your sister’s bed?”

“Now? Can’t it wait till half-time?”

Drew gestured at Lindy with the hotdog. “Ask Princess Pain-in-the-Ass here.”

“Drew, be nice,” Carrie warned. To Matt, she said, “Go ahead, it’s almost half-time anyway. If you hurry, you’ll be back before the third quarter starts.”

Matt gave Carrie a quick kiss. “Save my spot?”

She winked at him. “I’ll even have Bo keep it warm for you.”

Lindy rolled her eyes, but truthfully she envied them their comfortable relationship. Matt’s happiness was important to her—and Carrie Lowell made him very happy indeed. For that reason alone Lindy had finally dropped her guard and welcomed the friendship Carrie offered.

Lindy said her goodbyes to the room in general, then preceded Matt and Drew from the house. Thankfully, Drew had thought to secure a tarp over her mattress and other items, as a layer of snow had accumulated. She knew she should thank him, but frankly, all she wanted to do was smack him upside the head.

The roads were slick, but they made it to her house without incident. Lindy held the door open as the men carried in her box springs and the mattress. They made quick work of it, too, bringing a reluctant smile to her face.

Matt helped her with the sheets while Drew ran back down to his truck for the lamp and area rug she’d purchased.

“I’ll call tomorrow and see if I can get the rest of your furniture delivered earlier than planned.”

Lindy stuffed a brand new pillow into its casing. “That would be great, Matty, thank you.” She tossed the pillow on the bed and reached for the other. “So what do you guys have left to do in the house?”

“Not much. A few cabinets need to be replaced in the kitchen, and Caleb wants to build you a nice window seat in here.” He met her gaze. “Not that you’ll get much use out of it once the plant’s up and running.”

The same odd sadness that had tightened her chest yesterday returned full force, nearly stealing her breath. Dammit, she didn’t want to become attached to this place—she wouldn’t!

Giving herself a mental shake, Lindy broke eye contact and feigned absolute interest in the down comforter she’d managed to cram into her largest suitcase.

Matt reached out and grabbed an end to help her unfold it. “You do plan to visit, don’t you?”

With a scoffing frown, she slid the comforter onto her bed, straightened it, and settled the pillows on top. “Suppose I’ll have to if I want to see my favorite brother—who seems to have an aversion to the West Coast since settling into Mayberry.”

Matt crossed his arms and pegged her with a considering look, as if he knew exactly why this town struck such fear in her. “I’m your only brother, and I’ve been to L.A. twice since last summer. Besides, you know better than anyone why I hate to go back there.”

She did, and now she felt like a bitch for even bringing it up. “You’re innocent of murdering that girl, Matty, and the whole world knows it. Besides, you’ve made a good life for yourself here in Wisconsin. And if you tell her I said this I’ll deny it, but I think Carrie is the best thing that’s happened to you. You’re as fat and happy as I’ve ever seen you.” Lindy cast him a cheeky grin.

Matt laughed and patted his belly. “I can’t help it. Carrie loves to cook, and I’m her favorite guinea pig.”

“I was teasing; you haven’t put on a pound. Well, maybe a couple,” she amended, grinning. “But you’ve always been athletic. I’m sure as soon as the weather clears you’ll get out there and run it off.”

Drew’s footsteps echoed up the stairs at a rapid rate. He strode into the room carrying her lamp, looked around, then walked over to the south facing window and set it on the sill. “All done, Hot Stuff. Enjoy your soak. Come on, Matt, let’s go.”

“See you tomorrow, Sis.” Matt gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Feeling impish, Lindy asked Drew, “Can I give you a tip this time?”

He held her gaze for several heartbeats, and Lindy suddenly wished she hadn’t poked the proverbial tiger.

“Matt, would you give us a minute, please?”

Lindy’s heart tripped when Matt shrugged. He gave Drew a thump on the back, tossed her a smile, and whistled his way downstairs. Lindy bit the inside of her cheek as she lifted her gaze to meet Drew’s. “I was only kidding, geez. I mean—”

Quick as a whip, Drew hauled her against the solid expanse of his chest and slanted his mouth across hers with near punishing force. Stunned, Lindy simply settled her hands against his chest. Then her senses returned, and she shoved with all her might. He broke off the kiss with a muttered curse, but didn’t let her go. Lindy’s pulse kicked into overdrive as she looked up and met his gaze.

Hypnotic blue eyes stared down at her, holding her gaze captive as if by physical force. Deft hands traveled a scorching path from the curve of her shoulders to the flare of her hips, leaving every inch of her body tingling in their wake. The need to feel his lips on hers again, to taste him, nearly overwhelmed her. A real kiss, though, not in anger, not as punishment. Before she lost her nerve, Lindy twined her arms around his neck and pulled him down for the real thing.

With a deep growl, Drew crushed her in his arms. He coaxed her mouth open as his tongue slid inside with skillful ease, exploring, seeking hers. Shivering under his touch, Lindy grew dizzy with yearning. Her heart thumped as his spicy masculine scent wrapped her in sensual bliss. The man was certainly no slouch in the toe-curling kiss department.

As quick as it started, he broke the kiss and tore free from her embrace, surprising her off balance. He grabbed her upper arms to steady her, stared at her lips as if he wanted to kiss her again, cursed, and...strode out the door. She flinched as the bedroom door slammed behind him. What the hell?

Okay
, she thought as she huffed out a shaky breath and gathered her wits,
the man is crazy
.
One-hundred percent, certi-fricken-fiably nuts
. She dug her fingers into her temples as her headache returned full blast. If she never laid eyes on that arrogant SOB again it would be way too soon. But...damn if a little part of her didn’t want to chase after him. Instead, she strengthened her resolve and forced herself into the bathroom for a couple of aspirin and a hot bath.

Chapter 4

“You’ve been awful quiet this morning.”

Drew cast his sister a sidelong glance from under the hood of her car. “That a crime?”

“No. Just odd.” Hannah stepped around to stand beside him. “So?”

“So what?”

She bumped him with her hip. “So what’s got you in such a snit?”

With a sigh, he stood and wiped his hands on his uniform. “Snit?”

Hannah grinned.

“I have a better question—what’s going on with that idiot, Swan? He finally get the message to stay the hell away from you?”

Her grin disappeared. “I told you, I’m handling it.”

“Hannah, if he’s giving you a hard time—”

Suddenly, Bo went nuts barking his fool head off. Drew groaned as a familiar white furball ran into the garage and headed straight for Bo. The thing rubbed between his legs, purring so loudly Drew wouldn’t have been surprised if it took flight. Then it fell to its back and rolled around on the dirty, grease-stained concrete floor, writhing and stretching while Bo whined his approval.

Great. Just friggin’ perfect. Thank God the furball’s “mommy” wasn’t here. Maybe Drew’d have time to get the thing washed and dried before she showed up. “All right, kitty, enough. You’re officially as filthy as you can get.” Drew swatted at the cat, but Bo growled his displeasure, shocking the shit out of him. “So it’s like that, is it? Good God, mutt, she’s a
cat
. You can’t mate with a cat.”

A feminine shriek split the air, and Drew glanced up just in time to see Lindy rush in.
Ah, shit.
She shot him a look that sent his nuts north for cover, then rushed toward the two lovebirds. Only her boot hit the same oil slick her cat had bathed in, and she went up and came crashing down—right on her ass. Drew rushed forward to help her up.

“I’m so sorry. I haven’t had a chance to sprinkle oil dry down yet. You all right?”

Lindy slapped his hand away and climbed slowly to her feet. Craning her neck, she tried to check her butt. A huge black spot saturated each cheek. She brushed uselessly at the stains before pinning him with that same haughty stare that never failed to turn him on. Drew had to fight to keep his expression impassive.

“I’ll pay to have them cleaned. Just send me the bill.”

“Keep your money. And keep that monster of a dog away from my baby.”

Drew propped his hands on his hips. “Hey, whoa. Your stupid cat ran in here, onto
my
property. If you’d keep the friggin’ thing on a leash, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Her face screwed up in comical dismay. “You’re saying this is my fault?”

“Who else? Bo didn’t go looking for that furball. She came sniffing around for him.”

“Ass.” Lindy scooped up her cat and cuddled the grimy thing against her chest. She turned to Hannah, effectively dismissing him. “I don’t suppose you have a pet groomer here in Mayberry?”

Hannah’s grin returned as she cast a questioning look at Drew. “I have no idea where Mayberry is, but Beverly Donovan does pet grooming out of her home. She lives on Liberation Lane, the street just off of Salvation, right behind the library. You can’t miss it; there’s a statue of Jesus on her front lawn, and she has gold and green shutters.”

When Lindy cocked a brow, Hannah added, “Her husband was a huge Packers fan.”

“Oh.” Lindy sent Drew a quick condemning look, then turned back to his sister. “Thank you, Hannah.”

She carefully stepped over the oil puddle she’d slipped on, accepted a stack of paper towels from Hannah, and strode out the door, Bianca howling her displeasure with each step.

Bo’s answering whine had Drew rolling his eyes. He gave Mr. Pathetic a pat on the head and assured him, “You’re better off without her, boy. Trust me. Once she got bored with you, that female would stomp your heart to mush and feed it to you for breakfast.”