A Second Chance by Roseanne Dowell Page B

sensation began in her stomach, and spread outward as he looked down at her.
    Something told her this man was dangerous territory. “Thank you.” Christine’s insides trembled. She hoped her voice sounded calm. Holding her hand out for the key, she wished him away.
    “Dinner tomorrow.” He said it as a statement not a question.
    She felt her eyes narrow. A habit she never managed to break when someone irked her. How dare he be so presumptuous? “Sorry, I’m busy.” Closing the door halfway against him, she tried to hide behind it.
    He reached up, and combed his fingers through her short blond hair. The small gesture electrified her. She backed away. He chuckled, winked at her, and pulled the door closed behind him.
    Darn it all, why was she acting like a silly teenager who had a crush on the football captain? Infuriated at the feelings he instilled in her, she leaned against the door. Her body trembled. From anger or attraction, she wasn’t sure. Christine shook her head, trying to clear it.
    Exhausted from her trip, Christine went to bed, trying to erase Steven from her mind. She closed her eyes and visions of his laughing eyes appeared. She turned the pillow, punched it, and closed her eyes again, willing herself to sleep. Darn it, why did that man affect her like this? She tossed and turned through a dream-filled night.
    * * * *
    Steven went back to the car, whistling. What a woman. Everything Derek said and more—attractive, sexy, and spirited. Too bad she was so cold. Not that she didn’t have a reason to be. Derek explained about the divorce and how it devastated her. Took her awhile to put her life back on track. The classes she attended did a lot for her self-confidence, Derek said. Thing was, she threw herself into her work and classes, so she didn’t have much time for a social life, other than family.
    Lisa and Derek had hoped she’d meet someone interesting in her classes but no such luck. Not that they expected miracles with him, far from it. After all, he was a confirmed bachelor, Derek laughed. And they certainly didn’t expect him to fall in love with her or anything, just help pull her out of her shell. If he was interested, that is. Strangest damn proposition, he’d ever heard. But what the hell, he liked women, and he was a stranger in this country after all these years. He enjoyed female companionship. What did he have to lose? He’d move out of Derek and Lisa’s home as soon as he found his own place. If he and Christine didn’t click, no big deal, he’d never have to see her again. Or at least not often. Family functions, mostly.
    He pulled the car into the garage and followed Lisa and the kids into the house, thankful no one had asked what he thought of Christine.
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    The next morning when Christine woke up, Steven’s irritating grin flashed before her eyes. She swore she could almost feel his touch and the flames he ignited in her. What kind of hypnotic hold did he have on her? How could a man she just met cause such a reaction? She dressed, drank a quick cup of coffee, and hurried to pick up Jenna and Richard for school, pushing him out of her mind.
    On the way to school, Jenna reminded her about their weekly Tuesday dinner.
    “Oh not tonight, I have so much catching up to do.” Christine tried not to hurt Jenna’s feelings.
    “But you have to come, Grandma, you’ve been gone for ten days. We missed you.” Jenna and Richard ganged up and refused to take no for an answer.
    “Okay, okay.” Christine pulled into St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School parking lot and laughed. Maybe Steven wouldn’t be there, she thought. Entering the office, she dismissed him from her mind again.
    “Hey, how was your trip?” Kelly, the church secretary and her best friend, greeted her. “Bet you’re glad to be back.”
    “I’m thrilled to be back. You know how I hate traveling, especially flying.” Christine hung her coat in the closet, poured coffee, and prepared