Love Enough For Two (Love Inspired) Page 4

  “We’re here.” The older woman’s voice sang out from the back of the building.

  A brief smile tipped Sierra’s lips as she made her way through the crowded aisles. A small round ice-cream table, circa 1920, sat at the back of the store and she and Dottie often migrated there for a cup of tea and conversation when business was slow.

  A deep voice murmured something and Dottie laughed.

  The masculine tone came as no surprise. The minute Dottie had indicated she wasn’t alone, Sierra had immediately known who was keeping her employee company. Mr. Harlow, from the convenience store two doors down, frequently stopped by on his break. Though Dottie insisted they were just friends, the look in the elderly gentleman’s eyes told Sierra that John Harlow was clearly smitten with the vivacious redhead.

  Though Sierra sometimes got tired of him being underfoot, she knew Dottie enjoyed the attention. Rounding an Edwardian oak bookcase, Sierra lifted her lips in a welcoming smile.

  She stopped short and her breath caught in her throat. An involuntary shiver raced up her spine.

  “I see you finally decided to come to work.” Matt rose to his feet, amusement lacing his deep voice. A corner of his mouth twitched with a hint of a smile.

  It was obvious he was only teasing, but the words still stung. Sierra had been a hard worker all her life and taking it easy didn’t come naturally. Sierra could feel her face warm. She started to explain her actions and to justify her late arrival. But at the last minute she shut her mouth and reminded herself that she was the boss for the summer and she didn’t need to answer to anyone.

  Sierra drew herself up straight and met his gaze with a disdainful haughtiness she didn’t even know she possessed. “What can I do for you, Mr. Dixon?”

  Though she caught a flash of surprise in Dottie’s eyes at her brisk tone, Sierra only lifted her chin higher.

  Matt chuckled and grinned. “Did someone get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”

  He looked so boyishly handsome that she had to smile back.

  “Actually, I’ve been up for hours,” Sierra said. Why it was important for him to know she wasn’t lazy, she wasn’t sure. Maybe it had something to do with the grudging admiration she’d seen in his eyes yesterday when he’d talked about the waitress working two jobs.

  “Mr. Dixon brought you something,” Dottie said, smiling warmly at the younger man.

  “Matt,” he reminded Dottie, a dimple flashing in his cheek.

  “Matt,” Dottie concurred and something that sounded suspiciously like a giggle slipped past her lips.

  Sierra resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the shameless flirting.

  Still, she could see how the older woman could be captivated. After all, the guy had only looked at her yesterday and she’d practically melted. If the waitress hadn’t stopped by when she did, Sierra might have kissed him.

  There was just something about the man….

  He’d risen when she’d walked up and he still stood next to the table. She glanced over to find him watching her. He radiated a vitality that drew her like a magnet and she found herself extremely conscious of his virile appeal.

  Sierra tried to throttle the dizzying current racing through her. She met Matt’s gaze and lifted an eyebrow. “You have something for me?”

  He smiled and held out a manila envelope. “I was on my way to meet with some accountants about the Center and I thought I’d drop this additional information off on my way.”

  Sierra took the envelope from his hands, her fingers brushing against his, causing her skin to tingle.

  Her breath caught in her throat and she looked up to find him staring with a steady gaze.

  “You’re meeting with the accountants?” Sierra masked her inner turmoil with a deceptive calmness.

  He nodded. “Just ironing out some last-minute financials.”

  “Why wasn’t I invited?” Sierra asked.

  Matt seemed surprised by the question.

  “I didn’t think you’d be interested,” he said with a shrug. “We’re not going to be discussing anything earth-shattering. It’ll just be some boring, financial stuff.”

  Normally boring, financial stuff wasn’t something Sierra sought out. In fact when it did cross her path, she usually backed up and ran the other way. But this particular boring, financial stuff related to the Center so she figured she should be interested. And she’d promised Libby she’d be involved.

  “I’d like to hear what they have to say,” Sierra said. “How about if I tag along?”

  The beginning of a smile tipped the corners of Matt’s lips. “I’d love to have you come with me.”

  The door jingled and Dottie rose to her feet with a regretful sigh. “Duty calls.”

  The older woman cast one last regretful glance at Matt and Sierra before heading toward the front of the shop. There was nothing Dottie liked more than a good drama and this interchange had all the key components.

  Sierra swallowed hard, pleased that when she spoke her voice was steady. “What time are you meeting them?”

  “Eleven-thirty,” he said. “At Crane River.”

  Sierra recognized the name. The restaurant was popular and well-known for its seafood. Even if the topic was boring, the food should be good. There was only one detail she had to cover. “Who all is going to be there?”

  “Dick Johanns, Roger Kirk and myself,” Matt said. Pausing, he gazed at her speculatively. “Is there some problem?”

  “No problem.” Sierra didn’t know either of the men so she decided she’d be safe attending. “One more shouldn’t make a difference on the lunch reservation, right?”

  “There’s always room for you,” Matt said with a smile. He reached down and picked up his briefcase. “We can ride together if you like. My car is—”

  Sierra held up a hand. “It’d be better if we drove separately.”

  She had to pick up Maddie from preschool at three and though she couldn’t imagine the meeting running that long, she didn’t want to take the chance.

  “Do you know where the restaurant is located?” he asked.

  “Actually, Carl, er, a friend and I just met there for lunch last week,” Sierra said.

  He raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask and Sierra saw no reason to mention that Carl Stieve was her church’s “family” minister and that he’d spent the entire lunch hour trying to convince her to spear-head First Christian’s new outreach program to singles.

  Matt’s gaze dropped to his watch. “We’d better get going. We don’t want to be late.”

  Sierra glanced down at her sleeveless silk georgette dress with its scoop neck. The color was a golden honey that normally made her look washed-out. But when Libby had seen it, she’d made Sierra try it on then pronounced it “absolutely stunning.” The outfit might be a bit too casual for a Los Angeles boardroom, but this was Santa Barbara and everything was more relaxed.

  “I’m ready,” she said. “Unless you think I’ll be underdressed?”

  His gaze shifted from the mother-of-pearl and semiprecious-stone necklace that circled her neck to the formfitting bodice that hugged her ample curves.

  “You’re perfect,” he said. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”

  Chapter Five

  Matt leaned back in his chair and studied Elizabeth over the rim of his coffee cup. The meeting hadn’t been half as boring with her by his side.

  And not only was she pretty, there was a sharp mind in her blond head. She’d listened attentively and asked appropriate questions, even a few he hadn’t considered.

  Yes, it had been a good meeting and an excellent lunch, but he hadn’t been sorry to see the other men go. Especially Roger. Matt had the feeling if he hadn’t been there, Roger would have hit on Elizabeth.

  “What did you think of Roger?” Matt asked.

  Elizabeth wrinkled her cute little nose, started to say something, then paused. “He mentioned you’d once golfed together. Is he a friend?”

  Matt shook h
is head. “It was some fund-raiser and we got paired together. That was the first and last time I’d seen him, until today.”

  Elizabeth took a sip of tea. “I’m sure he’s a nice man but…”

  “But?” Matt raised an eyebrow.

  “He reminded me of a used-car salesman,” she said in an absent tone, stirring some sugar into her tea, “with all that greased-back hair and whiter-than-white smile.”

  Matt burst out laughing. “I never thought about it before, but you’re right.”

  Startled by the laughter, Elizabeth looked up. He expected her to elaborate but instead her face colored.

  “Please forget what I just said. Talking before I think is a weakness of mine.” Her voice was filled with embarrassment. “Roger is a perfectly nice man.”

  “A nice man who is interested in you,” Matt said dryly. “The guy had more than business on his mind.”

  Elizabeth laughed and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”

  “He did,” Matt said. “That’s why I put my hand on the back of your chair. I wanted to let him know you weren’t available.”

  Elizabeth’s laughter stilled in her throat. “Are you telling me you did that to warn him off?”

  Unease coursed through Matt at the look in her eye. He shrugged and forced a nonchalant air. “He’s not your type. I was just trying to be helpful.”

  “I can fend for myself.” Her voice was cool. “Besides what if I’d liked him?”

  “You don’t like him,” Matt said. “You like me.”

  Her eyes widened and her mouth opened but no words came out. He could tell he’d surprised her. Heck, he’d surprised himself.

  But the attraction between him and Elizabeth was so strong it was almost palpable. Electricity sizzled between them, feeding off every look, every touch.

  “You seem like a nice guy,” she said finally. “But—”

  “I am a nice guy,” Matt said affably. “And, like Roger, I have white teeth. But, that’s where the similarity ends.”

  His efforts to lighten the tension were rewarded with a smile. “On the other hand—”

  “Sierra.” A tall man stopped at the tableside, his face lighting up. “What a surprise. What are you doing here?”

  Sierra?

  Matt’s gaze shifted to Elizabeth’s face. Two spots of pink slashed her cheeks but a pleasant smile graced her lips.

  “I was here for a meeting,” she answered, not making any attempt to elaborate. “Matt and I stayed after to talk.”

  The guy stared at Elizabeth for a moment and Matt took the opportunity to study him. He was tall, close to six feet four, with light brown hair, cut short and thinning on top. He couldn’t be much over thirty, but his silver-rimmed eyeglasses made him appear older. The conservatively cut three-piece navy suit didn’t do much to alter that impression.

  Since Elizabeth didn’t seem inclined to perform introductions, Matt decided to take the lead. But before he could act the man turned to Matt and stuck out his hand.

  “Carl Stieve,” he said, giving Matt the once-over. “I’m the Assistant Pastor at First Christian.”

  Matt pushed back his chair and rose, taking Carl’s hand and giving it a firm shake. “Matt Dixon, Sierra’s friend.”

  The name felt somehow right on his tongue. Maybe because he’d never felt that Elizabeth suited her. It had a staid and stuffy sound while Sierra brought to mind a clear mountain breeze. It was a free-spirited name, well-suited to her personality.

  The pastor paused, as if waiting for him to elaborate but when he didn’t the man just smiled. “Maybe I’ll see you in church some time.”

  Matt offered a noncommittal smile. “Anything is possible.”

  They talked for a few minutes longer and Matt waited until the entrance door had shut behind Carl, to speak.

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Sierra?”

  She waved a dismissive hand. “It’s a nickname. One from childhood. Most of my friends still call me that.”

  He looked at her for several heartbeats. “And what should I call you?”

  She met his gaze and that now familiar touch of pink dusted her cheeks. “Sierra. But in business dealings, I prefer you call me Elizabeth.”

  Matt thought for a moment, then nodded. “Makes sense.”

  “I’m glad you think so,” she said wryly. She lifted a glass of tea to her lips.

  Matt smiled and sat back in his chair. “Do you and the minister have something going on?”

  Sierra choked on her tea, bringing a napkin immediately to her lips. Finally when she seemed able to breathe again, she lifted her gaze to his. “Whatever makes you ask something like that?”

  “He looked at you as if you were a ten-ounce sirloin and he hadn’t eaten in days,” Matt said.

  Sierra burst out laughing. “Carl’s a vegetarian. And he likes me as a friend, a parishioner, nothing more.”

  Something about what she was saying didn’t ring true. Matt had seen how Carl looked at her and there had been pure masculine interest in the minister’s gaze. “Is he married?”

  Sierra paused, “No, he’s not married.”

  “Engaged?”

  Sierra shook her head.

  “Dating anyone special?”

  Sierra straightened in her chair. “Carl is too busy to date.”

  Matt took a sip of coffee. “I bet he’d make time for you.”

  The challenge hung in the air between them. When he saw the anger in her eyes Matt realized too late that he’d pushed too hard, too fast.

  “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” Sierra’s eyes were as cold as jade.

  Matt reached across the table and took her hand, refusing to let go even when she tried to pull away. This time, when he spoke he made a conscious effort to keep his emotions under control.

  “It is,” Matt said softly, “if I’m going to be your boyfriend.”

  “My boyfriend?” Sierra stared at him, slack jawed.

  “That’s right,” Matt said, stroking the top of her hand with his thumb. “You can’t blame a guy for wanting to know his competition.”

  “You’re not my boyfriend and he’s not your competition.” Sierra’s voice crept up half an octave and she jerked her hand from his. “Why can’t anyone understand that I don’t want or need a man in my life? I have my family, my friends and my work. That’s enough for me. Why is that so difficult to understand?”

  Matt considered her for a second. Though on the surface, her words made sense, the strain in her voice told him there was something more behind her vehement declarations. He’d cross-examined enough people to know that what is said isn’t usually half as important as what is left unsaid.

  “Pastor Carl is putting pressure on you. He wants to be the man in your life.”

  Sierra started to protest then sighed. “Carl means well.”

  “But he won’t accept the fact that you’re not interested,” he said softly.

  Sierra lowered her gaze but not before Matt saw the look in her eyes. Satisfaction surged as he realized his guess had been right on target.

  “It makes things kind of awkward.” She lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug and she kept her voice soft and low. “I volunteer a lot at the church so it’s not that easy to avoid him. I’ve tried everything to change his mind, but nothing works. I think he believes that if he persists, he’ll win me over.”

  She raked a hand through her hair and he could hear the frustration in her voice.

  Anger filled Matt at the audacity of the guy. If he thought she’d let him, he’d talk to the minister tonight and set him straight. But she didn’t seem the type to let someone else fight her battles and he knew he’d have to come up with a more creative solution than confrontation.

  “I’ve got an idea,” he said. “When he mentions running into us, just mention we’re dating. That should put him off.”

  “Didn’t you hear a word I said?” Her eyes flashed. “I don’t want a boyfriend.”

  “Then we’
re even.” He smiled. “Because I don’t want a girlfriend.”

  She stared, clearly nonplussed. “You don’t?”

  He shook his head. “Nope.”

  She hesitated, blinking with bafflement. “I don’t understand.”

  “If you tell Carl we’re dating, he’ll back off,” he said. “And if you don’t want to lie, I’d be willing to take you out a couple of times.”

  Sierra’s mouth twisted in a wry smile. “How benevolent of you.”

  He grinned. “It wouldn’t be a sacrifice. At least not much of one.”

  Matt leaned forward and cupped her face in his hand. Then without thinking about the wisdom of what he was about to do, he kissed her.

  He’d intended it to be a brief kiss, one that would seal the agreement. But the minute his lips met hers, brief wasn’t enough. He could feel her arms steal around his neck, her fingers sliding through his hair.

  The air stirred around them. He’d been so busy lately he hadn’t thought much about women. But as he tasted the sweetness of her lips, he realized that while he hadn’t missed the hassles of being in a relationship, he had missed this.

  “Mommy.” A little girl’s insistent voice resounded in the quiet restaurant. “I have to go to the baffroom.”

  Matt ignored the high-pitched whine, but Sierra jerked back and glanced around, her eyes wide and searching.

  Matt tugged her back to him. “It’s the family in the corner booth. Doesn’t have a thing to do with us.”

  He wanted desperately to kiss her again but she pulled back. It was all Matt could do not to shoot the kid a censuring glance.

  “I can’t believe I kissed you,” Sierra murmured almost to herself.

  “It’s okay,” he teased, trying to lighten the moment. “After all I am your boyfriend.”

  “You are not my boyfriend,” Sierra retorted. “In fact, I barely know you.”

  “There’s a strong attraction between us,” he said. She opened her mouth to speak but he touched two fingers to her lips. “Don’t even try to deny it.”

  “I admit it,” she said with a sigh. “On a superficial level I am attracted to you.”

  He smiled and chucked her under her chin. “Don’t look so glum. That’s a good thing.”