Heat of the Moment by Karen Foley Page B

mildly.
    Holly looked at him, but if he was upset about the news, nothing showed on his face.
    “Hell, from what I hear, it’s more than just a parade; it’s a whole day of festivities,” Pete continued enthusiastically. “The parade just kicks the whole thing off, next Saturday.”
    “Wait. Next Saturday? As in a week from tomorrow? That can’t be right. My parents would have told me. Someone would have told me. There’s no way they would try to keep this a secret and then spring it on me at the last minute.” She turned anguished eyes to Shane. “Would they?”
    “Well, I don’t know,” Shane drawled. “Maybe they thought you’d split town if you found out. Maybe they thought you’d take off and go hide out at the lake house.”
    Holly groaned. “My dad called this morning and asked if I’d consider coming home for the weekend. He said that Mom had something special planned.”
    Pete chuckled. “I guess the hell she does. There’s going to be a barbeque on the town common, and they’ve organized all kinds of activities including a bake sale, a pie-eating contest, a dunk tank, and that’s just what I can remember from the fliers. There’ll be a barn dance that night with live music, and more food.” Pete chuckled. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they turn it into an annual event… Holly Durant Day. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
    “No,” Holly grumbled.
    “I think it has an excellent ring to it,” Shane protested. “And I personally think you deserve the recognition.”
    Holly stared at him. A muscle worked in his lean jaw, but there was no denying the sincerity in his voice.
    “You do?” she asked.
    “Holly, you were shot and nearly blown to bits trying to save me. What you did was incredibly brave.” He was staring hard at her now, twin patches of color riding high on his lean cheeks. “When I think what could have happened—”
    The expression in his hazel eyes mesmerized Holly. She could hardly breathe. He was looking at her as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
    “But I’m here,” she said softly. “And so are you.”
    “And that’s my cue to leave,” declared Pete, looking embarrassed. He took a hefty swig of his coffee and rose to his feet. “Good seeing you kids. I’ll just leave that bag of groceries on the front steps, but don’t forget about it. Feel better. I’ll see you at the parade.”
    Holly barely noticed him leave. “We haven’t talked about it,” she said to Shane. “The attack, I mean.”
    Shane had been unpacking the grocery bags and now his fist tightened around a hapless bunch of asparagus. Moving around the counter, Holly covered his hand with her own.
    “I know you blame yourself for what happened that day, but don’t. None of it was your fault.”
    Dropping the vegetables, Shane turned to her and Holly saw the stark vulnerability and frustration in his eyes. “But that’s just it. I don’t remember that day. I can’t recall a single goddamned detail of what happened.” He gave a bitter laugh. “I can’t tell you why I left my gun or why I thought I needed to save you—if that’s even what I was doing.” He ran a shaking hand over his face. “But Jesus, at night…”
    Holly laid a hand on his chest, feeling the heavy thump of his heart beneath her palm. She didn’t need to ask what kept him up at night; if his nightmares were anything like the ones she’d been having, it was a wonder he could even close his eyes.
    He turned abruptly away and began shoving items into the refrigerator. Holly watched him for a moment.
    “The tango, huh?” she finally asked. Anything to get his mind off his own tormented thoughts.
    “What?” He glanced at her over his shoulder, his expression confused.
    “You said to Pete that he should see us do the tango.” She waggled her eyebrows at him. “Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
    He closed the fridge door and turned back to her, bracing his hands on the