Page 50 of Crash Course
"Amazing. You’re a talented man."
"Not particularly. Hardheaded. When I put my mind to something, I do it."
He gave her some hard eye contact. Let her know without saying a word where his current focus was.
She stepped closer, gave his shirt a gentle tug. "Another thing we have in common."
"Hardheaded?"
"Determined."
He dipped his head lower, brushed his lips over hers, let the warmth of her creamy lipstick ease over him and settle his always chaotic mind.
Just as she did the night before when they’d shared that whopper of a kiss in the B, she arched into him, cocooning herself against his body.
Why she did that, he had no clue, but he’d never complain.
He backed away. "You sure do tempt me."
"Right. I forgot. We’re taking this slow."
"We sure are. But look out, Cilla. I’m coming for you."
"Yay, me," she said.
He waved one hand. "We done looking at the Stutz?"
"Have you found the leak yet?"
"No. Parts aren't here yet. As soon as its fixed, I’ll take you for a ride."
"Then, I guess we’re done. For now."
"All right. Let’s go make a soil-testing plan."
9
By noon Wednesday,after spending the morning volleying with the DA’s office over Donovan Jenkins’s plea deal, Cilla negotiated a twenty-two-month sentence plus community service where her client helped struggling families manage their finances. All of course monitored, given his history of theft.
Done.
Trial avoided. Good news since Cilla had no desire to try that mess. She, in fact, couldn’t stomach the man and his greed. Still, she’d set her personal issues aside and had done her job, getting him what she believed was a fair sentence.
Now she sat beside Cruz in his truck as they cruised the rural road leading to her father’s manufacturing facility. In the distance, the plant’s giant smokestacks loomed high in the air. On either side of her sat acre after acre after acre of sun-dappled farmland.
In the heat of summer, it'd be an explosion of green crops. She’d like to see it. Revel in Mother Nature’s fantastic work.
For now, all evidence of that beauty had been mowed down, leaving a flat, drab landscape.
Cruz pulled to the side of the road and pointed. "This is the address."
Just yards ahead sat a charming and obviously freshly painted farmhouse.
Her intention had been to do this field trip on her own, but he’d insisted on taking the drive with her. Something she rather enjoyed since he didn’t mind her pounding away on her keyboard—and asking him to pull over twice so she could take calls in private—while finalizing the plea deal.
Men Cilla had dated in the past would have resented her work distractions. No wonder they hadn’t lasted.
Shaking off thoughts of failed relationships, she took in the vast property her father intended on buying. Beyond the farm, she locked on to the daycare.
