Love in Bloom Read Free Page A

people your own age, and have some fun."
    She'd spent most of her life with adults, except for the years in boarding school.  Competition in med school hadn't fostered friendships or relaxation.  Could Doc know exactly how inexperienced she was with men?  No.  She'd never talked to him about that, or to her mother, either, for that matter.
    She'd come to Langley to get perspective on her life and make decisions about her future.  Maybe a little fun could help her along.
    ****
    Paige sat beside Doc at a picnic table in the Phelps' barn.  "Are you okay sitting here?  We could bring in a lawn chair from the car."
    "I'm fine.  We'll stay an hour or so, then head home.  I still get tired so damn fast.  Oh, and I want to warn you that Ron Murphy will be seeking you out tonight.  He's looking for volunteers for--"
    Paige didn't hear the rest of what Doc said because Clay Reynolds strode through the door.  He wore a gray and black plaid shirt, the sleeves rolled above his forearms.  His arms were as tanned as his face and spoke of many hours outdoors.  He moved like an athlete, with purpose and fluidity.  She remembered the sight of his solid chest, the curling black hair....  Her heart raced.
    She watched him closely, trying to learn more about him.  He seemed to know everyone.  She supposed most of the people he talked to were his customers.  Doc had told her Clay owned a store that sold mowers, garden equipment, and supplies.
    But then again, he sure knew a lot of women.  That easy grin.  Even from here she could tell his green eyes sparkled with friendliness.  Maybe more than friendliness, she thought, as he dropped his arm around a blonde's shoulders and gave her a quick hug.  Was he involved with someone?  She frowned.  Why should she care if he was?
    Doc leaned over.  "Clay coached Little League the past couple of years.  She's one of the boys' mothers."
    Heat rushed to Paige's cheeks because Doc had caught her looking.  "I'm just trying to find out what kind of man he is."
    "You might have to strike up a conversation for that."  Doc pointed to the wooden platform at the rear of the barn where musicians had gathered.  "They're startin' up."
    Paige couldn't see over the heads at the tables, but she heard a bow dance across a fiddle, a pick strum a guitar, and the resounding vibrations of a bass viol.  Her foot tapped to the beat.
    Doc nudged her arm.  "Go on.  Go have fun."
    She hesitated.  "I don't know how to square dance."
    "That's something we'll have to fix," a low voice said behind her.
    Recognizing the voice, she looked over her shoulder.  Suddenly she was tongue-tied.  She'd thought Clay would avoid her if he saw her, not seek her out.  Then again, maybe he'd just come over to say hi to Doc.
    Clay smiled.  "Is this your first square dance?"
    She flipped her leg over the bench, straddling it.  "Yes.  I've never even watched square dancing, let alone tried it."
    "I'll partner you if you'd like to try.  Joe starts out slow for the beginners," Clay encouraged.  "He'll tell you what to do and how to do it.  You'll catch on in no time."
    "I won't make a fool of myself?"
    Clay's brows lifted wickedly.  "Not if I'm your partner."
    She laughed and it felt good.  She couldn't remove her gaze from Clay's, and her heart jumped. 
    He held out his hand, his smile giving her the confidence she needed to do something new in the midst of strangers in an unfamiliar place.  Her parents and her skills had given her that confidence in the past.  A man's smile never had.
    She took his hand and walked beside him to the cleared floor.
    Clay stood beside her as the caller requested one large circle.  His elbow was at least two inches from her upper arm, but she was aware of his broad shoulders, his lean waist, his long legs encased in the black denims.  The jeans were snug across his thighs and she imagined the muscles underneath were taut and powerful.  How had he been injured in the