The Ranger's Passionate Love Read Free Page B

appreciate it,” Kyara said, trying to hide her own flush at being caught ogling. “I have to admit, it’s nice to talk to someone friendly.”
     
    God, was that as lame as it sounded? Now I probably just seem whiny.
     
    “It takes people a while to get used to each other around here,” he allowed. He realized he’d been griping a rather impressive cucumber in his hand, and hastily put it in the bag. Kyara had to suppress a giggle.
     
    “Although...” he started to muse “if you wanted to get to know some more people, I’d be happy to introduce you around.”
     
    Kyara winced, picturing herself on display like some sort of exotic pet.
     
    Look! I made friends with a black person!
     
    Every black woman she knew who had made friends with a white person had had a dose of that at some point or another.
     
    “Thanks, but I really do need to be getting back home. I don’t get much time off, and the restaurant needs a thorough cleaning before the fourth of July,” she said, stepping back a little. She fidgeted with some of the items in the bag, carefully moving the cucumber a little lower and out of sight.
     
    “Oh ... alright,” he said. To her surprise, he looked genuinely disappointed. “If you change your mind, I’m here trying to get volunteers for the Old Mill Road restoration project. We’re going out on Tuesdays. I just thought you might like to come see what it’s all about.”
     
    Oh, that’s it. He’s just trying to get me to volunteer for his pet cause. He doesn’t care about me in particular.  In a strange way, the thought was both reassuring and a little disappointing.
     
    Then why did he seem so hurt when I pulled away?
     
    “What time do you usually meet?” Kyara found herself asking. Where did that come from? He’s cute, but I don’t have time for this.
     
    Then there was that smile of his. It was open and pleased, but with something just underneath, like he couldn’t quite believe she’d expressed interest.
     
    “We get a group of teens from the local Honor’s Society around eleven. Then a group of folks who volunteer after work tend to come in around six-thirty, after they get home and eat. We meet at the General Store, but you can come on out any time. The old road starts behind the store and goes from there.” He rushed his words, sending them tripping out over one another in his haste.
     
    Kyara did her best to give him a genuine smile, though she’d started avoiding the general store entirely, it was so unfriendly. He swallowed. I wonder if he is watching my brown eyes as carefully as I’m studying his green ones?
     
    “I’ll see if I can find time in the schedule,” she allowed.
     
    “I’m glad,” he said. His shoulders relaxed, and his smile became less guarded. “It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”
     
    “Nice to meet you, too,” Kyara said. She adjusted her bag to shake his hand, the warmth of him sending a pleasant little tingle through her fingertips. You absolutely do not have the time or energy for tingles, Kyara, she told herself firmly. Still, it had been a long time since she’d felt tingly over anyone.
     
    Goodbyes made, they separated. He returned to what she now saw was a little table set up with information about his project. She gave herself permission for one more glance-over of his tousled hair and rugged features. He was really attractive, but she had to wonder at his behavior when she showed some interest in his project.
     
    Why is he acting like I’m his momma and just let him off for having his hand in the cookie jar?
     
    Shrugging it off, Kyara made her way back to her car. She had a life to keep quiet and struggling business to save, after all. No time for mystery men.
     

 
    The restaurant was completely dead. No one had been in for hours. Tuesdays were usually rough, but this was completely empty. Even the AC sounded like is wasn’t really trying anymore.
     
    Kyara tapped her pencil on her legal pad. At