Long Road Home (The Barker Triplets 4)

“Yes.”

“And Lord, those tattoos.” Miss Callie giggled. “I’ve always been a sucker for tattoos.” She let out a soft puff of air. “He must love you. To come all this way.”

Bobbi didn’t bother telling Miss Callie that the only reason she and Shane had come down south was because his sister had lied to both of them.

“The universe sure does work in mysterious ways, or so they say.” Miss Callie paused and rubbed her hands al

ong the front of her apron. “I think things are about to get a whole lot more exciting around here.” She winked at Bobbi. “At least, I’m counting on it.” She smiled as Marybeth climbed the stairs. “Come on now, little Mackie is good, so let’s get some food into you.” She enclosed her daughter in a hug, and Bobbi felt like an outsider as the two women whispered low to each other. She’d heard about Gabby and her problems, and her heart ached for Mackie, his dad, and a young mother with too many demons to wrangle.

Marybeth and Miss Callie disappeared back inside, leaving Bobbi with Shane. He’d obviously been for a run, and his hair was damp and wavy from the humidity. It was barely ten in the morning, and already, the heat was heavy. He’d doffed his T-shirt, and it was tucked into the back of his shorts, leaving that incredible chest bare.

He’d probably done it on purpose.

“Did you have a good run?”

“Yeah, I did. The town is nice. Kind of like a Southern New Waterford.”

“I thought the same thing.” She paused, searching for something to fill the space. “There are so many churches,” she replied at the same time Shane did.

“Lots of churches.” Shane went quiet.

“Have you had breakfast?” she asked softly, wary now at the look in his eyes as his gaze moved over her from head to toe.

“I ate downtown at the diner.”

“I had lunch with Coral there the other day. It was good.” This was what they did now. Made small talk. Only said the surface things. The things that didn’t really matter.

“Coral.” His eyebrow shot up. “Your new friend.” A slow, wicked smile spread across his face. It did things to Bobbi. Made her hotter. Agitated. Unsettled. She watched a bead of sweat drip from his brow and slide down his cheek. She ached to touch him.

“She doesn’t like me very much.”

“What?” Confused, she tore her gaze away and frowned.

“Your friend, Coral Adelaide of the Charleston Adelaides.” His grin widened even more. “Or so I’ve heard.” That eyebrow rose again. “A time or two. She doesn’t like me.”

“She likes you just fine. Coral is just hard to read.”

“You’re lying,” he shot back.

“Maybe.”

Shane stepped onto the first step that led up to the veranda. “That’s nice, Pea.”

“What’s that?” Pea. The name he usually saved for quiet, intimate moments.

“The fact that you still want to spare my feelings is nice.” A dangerous glint lit up his eyes something fierce, and it took everything inside Bobbi to keep still and calm when her heart flipped over and then sped up like crazy at the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes. “Makes me hopeful.”

“Does it?” Mouth dry, she swiped her tongue across her bottom lip. “Hopeful for what?”

Shane took the last few steps and bent close to her. So close, she felt the heat from his skin. She focused on his sinfully long eyelashes, at the dark irises and the specks of gold in his eyes.

“Makes me hopeful that Louisiana is the best decision I’ve made in a long time, and that later tonight, you’ll have dinner with me when I get back.”

“Get back?” Jesus. Mary. And Joseph. Could she talk like a normal adult here? Since when had she turned into Marilyn Monroe?

“After I shower, I’m headed out for the day.” His grin vanished, and he made no effort to hide the raw need in his eyes. It took her breath away. “But I’ll be back. That’s something you can count on.”

Shane strode past her, and she heard the screen door slam behind him. It wasn’t until a few moments had passed that Bobbi realized she was shaking like a leaf. She sat down in the nearest chair and didn’t move until Coral appeared, a worried look on her face.