White Wedding for a Southern Belle

He hadn’t agreed with her. Did he think she came on too strong? Why should she care what he thought? “They’re in the cabinet next to the refrigerator.”

Kiefer had to reach past her to get them and his chest brushed against her back. Suddenly the kitchen became closet sized. Her hand shook as she moved a pot off a burner.

“Careful with that. You might get burned.” His breath fanned against her neck.

She shivered, very aware of him being near. “If you’d give me some room then you wouldn’t have to worry.”

He straightened. “I’m used to worrying about you.”

“I wish you’d stop.”

“It’s part of the job of being the local doctor.”

Ashley poured the beans into a bowl. “Did you always want to be a doctor?”

“No. I dreamed of being a beach bum. I still love the beach. How about you? Did you always want to be an alderman?”

“I was going to be a great journalist.”

“So that’s why you’re so good in front of a camera.” Was she?

“I guess. I didn’t know I was.” She pulled the pot roast from the slow cooker and put it on a platter.

“You seem very natural. I hate it.” He took the platter from her.

“I noticed that the other day. It just takes practice not to be intimidated.”

Kiefer walked to the table. “I don’t want to practice. My one real experience wasn’t fun.”

“What happened?”

“When my mother was attacked the TV cameras were everywhere. Always in my face.”

She looked appalled. “You were just a kid.”

“They didn’t care. But enough of that talk. I’m hungry.”

She grinned. “I’ve never known you not to be. Sit down and I’ll get the potatoes ready.”

He did as she requested. When all the food was in front of them she sat. Leaning over the table, he made a big show of smelling and studying the food. “Do you always cook like this?”

“Once a week I treat myself to an all-out meal that I prepare. I’m usually so busy I don’t eat right, so this is my way of compensating.” She picked up a bowl and handed it to him.

As he spooned out mashed potatoes he said, “Well, I’d like to get on your regular dinner guest list.”

Warm pleasure filled Ashley. It was nice to have a man appreciate her, and Kiefer in particular. “I’ll take that under advisement.” She watched as he took a large hunk of roast beef from the platter in the middle of the table.

She filled her plate and glanced over at Kiefer. He was waiting on her to begin eating. His parents had taught him manners. Picking up her fork, she took a bite and he dug into his meal with gusto.

“This is the best thing I’ve tasted in months.” He raised a forkful of meat.

Ashley couldn’t help but glow under his praise. “Thank you. You know I’m not going to kick you out. You don’t have to keep going on about how good the food is.”

He glanced up. “I’m telling the truth.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” It was nice to cook for someone who appreciated it. Kiefer was starting to endear himself to her. She liked him the more she was around him, slowly learning to trust him.

“So when you’re not cooking or being an alderman, what do you do for fun?”

“Fun?”

“Yeah, you know when you smile and frolic. Fun.”

She chuckled. “Frolic. You pulled that out of the vault.”

“You’ve never frolicked?” He raised both brows.

“Sure I have. When I was about four.”

He asked between bites, “So you do remember fun?”

“Never said I didn’t.”

“Okay, now we’re talking in rounds. Let me try again. What do you like to do on your days off?”

“I don’t have many of them but when I do I like to go to the movies.”

“What kind of movies?”

“I like old romances. Rebecca, Casablanca, An Affair to Remember.”

He stopped chewing. “Now, that’s a facet of your personality I didn’t expect. I took you for more of a shoot-’em-up person.”

Was he saying that she didn’t have a soft side? Hadn’t she heard that before from other men? The idea really hurt coming from Kiefer.

Her chair scraped the floor as she stood. Taking her plate to the dishwasher, she put it in. “Well, people can surprise you.”

Ashley returned to the table for two bowls and carried them to the counter. A large hand slipped around her and placed the platter of leftover meat on the counter just as she turned. She bumped into Kiefer’s chest. His hands came to rest on her shoulders.

“Hey,” Kiefer said softly, compelling her to look at him. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

“You didn’t.”

His gaze held hers. “I think I did. You don’t have to be the tough guy all the time.”

Her hands went to his chest. “I’m not.”

Kiefer pulled her closer. His look dropped. He intended to kiss her. The thrill of anticipation made her heart rate increase.

“I know for a fact that parts of you are very soft.” Slowly his mouth lowered to hers.

Ashley closed her eyes as his lips touched hers. They were firm and sure. Wonderful. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss. How did he manage to make her brainless when his lips were on hers? She pushed up against him, finding solid warmth that she wanted to bury herself in.

His lips left hers. “Let’s go somewhere more comfortable.”

What was she doing? She didn’t have time for a complication like Kiefer. If they became involved and then broke up, which they surely would because they were so incompatible, what would happen to the clinic? It would make their relationship extremely uncomfortable. Should she believe in him? No, she’d been misled before. Be sure. Very sure. Ashley pushed hard against his chest, breaking their contact.

Kiefer looked at her with questioning eyes. He leaned toward her again.

She backed away. “I think it’s time for you to go.”

“Ash—”

“It won’t work.”

“How do you know?”

“I just know. I don’t have time to play games.”

He continued to watch her. “What games?”

“You know, the one where we get together, we play house and then we break up. I don’t have time for all that emotional upheaval.” What if she was wrong about him?

“You got all of that from three simple kisses?”

Was she overreacting? Maybe so, but she’d been there before, and during this time in her life she didn’t have time to be sidetracked by getting involved with someone who was just here temporarily. Who would let her down in the end. “That’s the problem. Your kisses aren’t simple. I’m sorry—I’m tired. I think it’s time for you to go.”

“I will, but I won’t be going far.” He went to the door to the stairwell. Before he stepped through it, he looked back at her. “Just know that if it was up to me I’d still be kissing you. All over.”

Heat washed over her. Just the idea made her blood hum. If he tried again, would she stop him?

* * *

Thursday evening Ashley was on her way home from a monthly council meeting. She’d drawn flowers on her notepad as Alderman Henderson had expounded on how too many funds were being used in the Southriver district and needed to be redirected to the infrastructure of the downtown where tourists visited. Ashley had heard it all before over and over. All she wanted was to go home and have a hot shower.

She glanced at the Southriver Community sign that had only been erected two weeks earlier. The sign showed the outline of brownstones with a river in the background. She hoped

the signs gave the community a sense of pride because with that came ownership, which made a neighborhood strong.

As she drove up to the clinic she noticed the light was still on. Kiefer must have been working late. He had become a real asset to the clinic. The people in the community liked him. She shouldn’t be so amazed because she did too. Too much. His kisses, though brief, still lingered. She bit her bottom lip. It still tingled whenever she thought of Kiefer’s touch.

Seconds later she saw him step out of the clinic door and reach in to turn off the outside light.

A pop-pop drew her attention away. Not even a second later there was a tink-tink of something hitting the right front panel of her car. Was someone throwing something at her?

She saw a blur of movement that made her think of Marko. Another pop and the windshield cracked loudly.

Was he shooting at her?

Pop.

Ashley stomped the brake pedal, shoved the car into gear and leaned down over the console. Her arm stung. She must have hit the steering wheel. She felt a dampness there as well.

Before she could react further Kiefer was beating on her window. “Are you all right? Unlock the door!”