Reckless Radiance by Kate Roth Page A

saw worry in his eyes. “Are you angry with me?” he asked. She breathed slowly and shook her head. She wanted to be angry with him but she couldn’t bring herself to be. Storming away from him into the parking lot had done nothing but make her want to run back to him and let him wrap his arms around her. They had touched so few times she barely even knew what that might feel like but she desired it nonetheless.
    “I want to tell you but …” his words faded and he turned his eyes from her.
    “So tell me,” she pleaded.
    “I don’t know how,” Russell replied. She gave him a sidelong glance and saw him twisting his fingers in his lap. As frustrating as it was, she felt sorry for him. This tall, brooding man looked like a frightened boy whenever she delved for answers. What was he so afraid of?
    Valerie looked out the front windshield and saw her father near the side of the house. Once he caught her eye, he started a series of hand signals. He pointed at Russell overtly then waved his arms toward his body, motioning him over.
    She looked over at Russell and saw a faint grin as he watched her father’s charades. “I think you’re being summoned,” she teased. Russell turned to her and searched her face with his magnificent cobalt eyes.
    “Will you be all right?” he asked.
    She stopped herself from rolling her eyes. Russell had a way of asking her something simple while making it seem like the heaviest question she’d ever been asked. With a strained smile she nodded and he quickly accepted the wordless answer. She watched from the car as Russell caught up to her father. She saw their friendly exchange and her father’s acknowledgement of Russell’s two large shopping bags. The two men walked off together toward the house, falling into a conversation Valerie wished she could hear.
    A stab of fear hit her in the gut as she remembered where she’d decided to go. With a labored breath she shook the fear and pulled out of the gravel driveway heading to person she knew she owed a visit.
     

Chapter Fourteen
     
    Just when he thought quelling the sensation in his chest was getting easier, she’d give him that look. The eyes that told him she was confused and maybe even angry. And it was completely his fault. He never imagined the human emotion he would be trying to foster for her would be courage. But that was what he needed. He needed the nerve to say the words. Of course it would start simply. I am not what you think I am.
    Was that true? Was she keener than he knew? Surely she didn’t still think him human. So what then? Was she afraid of what he was? To ensure she wouldn’t be afraid he would have to tell it all. I am an angel.
    The familiar twist of his mortal insides begged him to stop thinking about it. He would tell her soon. Valerie’s father was waiting for him near the barn. George had already shown him the barn, the cow pasture, the chicken coop and the field of corn beyond the house. It was almost harvest time and Russell felt gratitude toward George for allowing him to stay with his daughter. The least he could do was help him with his work.
    “We’ll get to working on it in the next few days. I don’t mean to pressure you but if you’re stayin’ I’d like the help. If not, I’ve got a group of guys who I’ve used in the past who I can call,” George said as they each carried a feed bag down the path to the chicken coop.
    “I am happy to help as long as I’m here,” Russell replied. He took care not to mention a definitive timeline for his stay. He wasn’t in charge of that and he knew it. Valerie could ask him to leave at any time and he would obey her. He feared she would be sick of his silence soon.
    They reached the fenced-in, weathered wood hut that housed the birds when George turned to Russell. He set the forty-pound bag at his feet and wiped his brow with a rag that came from his back pocket. “Look, Russ,” he started.
    Russell’s chest twisted and tightened but he