Page 44 of Magnolia Summer

He turned around and saw her watching him. Her face went hot. She had to let him know there was nothing between them.

He moved toward her, each step slow and deliberate.

She turned and scurried across the parlor toward the front door to see him out. She clutched at her throat. Why was she practically gasping for air?

Truett was still only halfway across the room, his face unreadable in the dark.

Celia’s heart beat faster. She had to get control of herself. She straightened her shoulders and wrapped her hands around her arms. Just a few more seconds and he would be out the door and she could breathe again.

As he drew nearer, she opened the door for him and willed her voice to steady. “Thank you, Dr. Beverly, for escorting us home.”

Her cool dismissal of him sent a pang of guilt through her. But she couldn’t think like that. She must do whatever was necessary. It was for his own good, wasn’t it? She had to be honest with him, to let him know there could never be anything between them.

He kept coming until he stood face to face with her. He was so close she could make out the blue of his eyes in the dark room and smell the now-familiar scent of bergamot and rosemary. “Celia, I’d like to speak with you on the porch.”

“Oh, I can’t. I have to—” Her voice sounded breathless as her throat tightened again.

“Please.” But the word sounded more like a command. “It will only take a minute.”

“Well.” Celia lifted her chin, trying to appear offended and hide the fact that her heart was racing.

He held the door open for her and let her precede him onto the wooden planks of the porch. The screen door shut behind them. He faced her, his arm brushing hers, and bent his head. His lips were so close she could feel his breath on her forehead, sending a delicious tingling sensation all through her.Sweet heaven. I’m losing my mind again.

“Celia, what’s wrong?” His voice was much softer than before. “Did I do something?”

“What do you mean? Of course not. It was late. Time to go home. Thank you for escorting us—”

“I’m not leaving until I find out why you suddenly gave me the cold shoulder.” He widened his stance, planting his boots in a decidedly stubborn way.

“What are you talking about? I did nothing of the kind. It was a dance. Aren’t I allowed to dance with whomever I please?”

“That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.”

“Then just what are you talking about?” She crossed her arms, giving her a bit of a barrier to his masculine frame just inches away.

He sighed. It was too dark to see his expression.

“Come here. Please.” He took her arm and pulled her toward the edge of the porch. They could see each other now, the moon shining full on their faces. “Can you honestly tell me you don’t care for me?” His voice lowered, softening. “That you don’t want me to court you? Because I would like to court you.”

Celia’s mouth dropped open. She never expected him to be so blunt. “I . . . as a matter of fact . . .” She swallowed.Oh, Lord, give me words!Aiming her gaze beyond his shoulder, she forced herself not to look at him. Finally, she managed to draw in a deeper breath. “I appreciate the help you’ve given to my family. You’re a good man, but in fact, I don’t want you to court me.”

There, she’d said it. Her future was safe.

“Won’t you even look at me?” His fingertips brushed her cheek, as if to turn her face toward him.

A pleasant warmth was stealing through her from his touch, snaking down to her stomach, where she had apparently swallowed a dozen butterflies.

She looked into his eyes before she could stop herself. The tenderness she saw in his expression brought tears to her eyes. This was harder than she imagined.

She whispered hoarsely, “I don’t want you to court me.”

The hurt that flashed through his eyes twisted her insides. His hand fell from her cheek to his side.

She’d flirted with him, enjoyed his arms and his dancing, then coldly rejected him. If he’d been rude or crude or looked at her the way Curtis Suggs had, she wouldn’t feel these pangs of guilt and regret. Inside she was so torn. He had been nothing but good and kind. And now his eyes were wide with pain.

Somehow he’d never looked more handsome. His hair was a bit mussed, curling over his ears. The moonlight and shadows seemed to bring out the slight cleft in his chin and give his cheekbones and jawline a hard, chiseled appearance. And her heart ached to take her words back. Her arms fought to slip around him. Her cheek tingled, imagining being pressed against his chest.

Mad.She was completely insane.