Country Roads by Nancy Herkness Page A

which didn’t count. Her current life didn’t offer many opportunities, and she was darned if she was going to let such an attractive one slip by.



Chapter 9

    W HEN P AUL WALKED into the lobby the next afternoon, Julia felt intimidated. He was dressed in a pale-gray suit with a blue shirt and yellow tie, and looked powerful and out of her reach. Now that they were in his car and he had taken his jacket off and laid it in the backseat, he seemed more approachable. But she decided she wanted to get this particular issue out of the way immediately.
    “I ran into Mrs. Bostic downtown this morning,” Julia said, as Paul started the car. She smoothed her hands down her new short denim skirt. Claire had given her the rundown on the best clothing stores, and Julia had gone on a shopping spree partly aimed at changing Paul’s mind about kissing her. Unfortunately, she’d also run into the chatty waitress. “She, um, has decided we’re an item because her sister-in-law is the receptionist and saw us together last night.” She took a quick glance sideways to gauge his reaction.
    A muscle in his face twitched, but she couldn’t read his expression. Was he angry?
    “That’s what I get for being chivalrous.” He twisted around to check behind him before he backed up, and his glance skimmed her face. He burst out laughing. “Don’t look so worried. I’m a single man with a decent job and all my hair. The ladies of the town have been trying to marry me off for years.”
    “Oh, thank goodness.” She slumped in the seat and blew out a breath. “I couldn’t believe how fast the gossip started. It’s kind of ridiculous.”
    “Gossip is the lifeblood of a small town. Sometimes it can be useful and sometimes it can be hurtful, but you can’t stop it. Does it bother you?”
    “No, I’m flattered. I’ve caught the town’s most eligible bachelor in my snare.”
    “Not the
most
eligible. That would be Rodney Loudermilk. He owns the Rhododendron Bank.”
    “In that case, I’ll drop you like a hot potato as soon as I have Rodney in my clutches.”
    “I have more hair than he does, though.”
    She smiled and smoothed the sleeve of her new blouse, admiring the feel of the green-and-gold-patterned silk. The blouse was a little too fancy for a visit to the stables, but she’d wanted to try out her new clothes on Paul. “You have some great stores in Sanctuary. I had a wonderful time shopping.”
    She’d enjoyed just strolling in and out of the medley of distinctive small shops. Some were old-fashioned, with a layer of dust on out-of-the-way shelves that held carved coal animals and hokey hillbilly postcards with yellowed edges. Others showed careful restoration of oak woodwork and freshly painted tin ceilings. Their shelves displayed vivid handmade quilts and artistically labeled local honey. The rich scents of fresh coffee and warm muffins had lured her into the Bean and Biscuit for a quick treat.
    “We were voted Coolest Small Town in the USA last year.” His voice rang with civic spirit. “Is that pretty blouse from here?”
    Julia felt a glow of smug satisfaction. “Bought it this morning.” In fact, she had maxed out her credit card to purchase it, since she had already loaded herself up with shopping bags. Shetended to do most of her shopping online, so trying things on was a heady experience.
    “Let me guess.” He did a quick assessment with narrowed eyes. “Annie B’s?”
    “You’re good.”
    “My mother used to work at the store.”
    “Your mother lives in Sanctuary?”
    “Not anymore. She moved out to Ohio to live with her sister.” He spoke with a slight edge that puzzled her. “She’s unusual that way. Most folks come to Sanctuary and never leave.”
    “You make it sound like an episode of
The Twilight Zone
.” She deepened her voice to imitate Rod Serling’s portentous tone. “Mr. and Mrs. Smith didn’t just stop for a home-cooked meal. They stopped for the rest of their lives…in