Love's Road Home Read Free Page B

same vibe from her all evening, no matter how much she’d tried to hide it.
    She really didn’t want to encourage attention from a man like Tom. Now, or any time soon. Things in her life were just too complicated at the moment, and she wasn’t sure when, or if, they were going to be straightened out.
    After polishing off her lemonade, Beth whistled and waved her arms at Mike, currently at stage left hooking up the keyboards. "Hey, Mike, you want to check out my work when you get a chance?"
    "Be right there," he yelled back to her. He spoke briefly to the roadie who was assembling the drum set, then jumped off the stage and headed toward Beth at the mixing board.
    •
    Tom tried to be subtle as he looked around the theatre, searching for Beth among the various crew members doing equipment checks. The band didn’t need to start their last run-through of songs for a few more hours, and it was near lunchtime now. He was hoping he could talk Bethany into joining him for a bite to eat.
    He finally caught sight of her near the center of the auditorium, speaking with another technician. Tom headed her way, admiring the way she looked even in casual work clothes of T-shirt and jeans. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, allowing him a clear view of her profile.
    As Tom approached the pair, Mike threw him a wave. "Hey, Tom. Things are shaping up fine for tonight. Beth is going to do terrific on the tour, I can tell already." With a nod, he began moving back toward the stage. "See you later."
    The look on Beth’s face wasn’t nearly as welcoming as Mike’s greeting had been.
    What, did she think he was going to jump her bones right this moment? As his eyes traveled over her body, Tom knew he definitely would have no problem doing that. But he also knew if he seriously wanted to get closer to Beth, he had to move slowly.
    "Hi, Beth. How’s the job going?"
    She seemed to relax a bit in reaction to his business-like question. "So far, so good. Mike only needed to make two minor adjustments in my wiring layout. He said it was great work for a novice."
    "That’s good. But we’ll find out later if everything’s hooked up right."
    "Yeah, I guess so." Beth flashed a brief smile.
    "You know, it looks like you’re all done for now, and we don’t have to be back here for sound check for at least a couple of hours. Do you want to grab some lunch?"
    She looked surprised at his offer. Then she quickly shook her head no. "I really can’t. I’m sure the crew has more work to do. At the very least, Mike will want me to stick around and observe."
    Just then Mike announced via the lead microphone, "Lunch break, everyone. Be back here by four o’clock sharp for sound check."
    Tom grinned at Beth. "Any other excuse you want to use?"
    She frowned back at him. "Well, actually I’m not dressed properly. And I’m sweaty and dirty from working, too."
    "You’re dressed fine. It’s not like we’re going to a four-star restaurant. Just hit the bathroom to wash the grime off your hands and face and we’ll head out."
    Beth looked appalled. "I have something on my face? How bad is it?"
    Tom reached toward her. "It’s just a small bit of dirt. Don’t panic." Gently he smoothed his fingers over her soft cheek, brushing off the minute soil particles that contrasted with her lighter complexion. The instant his flesh touched hers he felt a connection. An electric current that swept through his entire being.
    Slowly he lowered his hand, wondering if she’d felt it, too. "Come on," he coaxed softly. "Come with me."
    "All right."
    •
    Beth pretended interest in the passing scenery as Tom drove a black Ford SUV through the Jacksonville streets. "So, where did you say we were going?"
    "We have enough time before sound check to hit the beach. It’s only half an hour away. I figured we could grab some seafood and take a quick walk on the sand. Sound good to you?"
    It sounded dangerous, actually. She couldn’t believe she’d agreed to go out