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"I'm ready when you are." She leaned against the door frame. "What has you captivated?"
Heat rose to Kaleb's cheeks. "Just looking at a website." He closed the tablet a little too hard and winced. "Let's go."
Cinnamon opened her mouth, but then closed it. Whatever she stopped herself from saying niggled at him. She'd never done that before when they were together. Now, he found she held her thoughts closer to her chest, which frustrated him. He wanted nothing more than to have an honest conversation with her about everything going on in her life.
Once they were situated in the truck, Kaleb headed toward town. Fifteen minutes of silence would drive him crazy. "How was your date?" The words flew out of his mouth before he had a chance to think them through.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Cinnamon's mouth form an o. Once again, she closed her lips. Silence stretched between them until, with a small sigh, she twisted toward him. "Is that a question you really want me to answer?"
"I don't know. Do you feel comfortable talking to me about it?"
Cinnamon crossed her arms. "I could ask you the same question."
"What question?" Kaleb switched lanes to get around a vehicle. "I asked you two questions."
"How was your date?"
"My what?" Kaleb lifted his lip.
"Your date. How did it go?"
"Forgive me if I don't know what you're talking about, Cinnamon. I haven’t had a date in years." Kaleb rolled his shoulders. This woman was going to be the death of him.
"You weren't out with someone last night?" A challenge hinted in her words.
"Nope."
"Hm." Cinnamon's lips turned down. "I don't believe that."
Kaleb pulled off the highway and turned into the parking lot for the lake. He switched off the engine and faced her. "I have no idea what you're talking about or why you wouldn't believe me."
A range of emotions crossed Cinnamon's face. She looked everywhere but at him.
"Cinnamon," Kaleb reached out and covered her hand. "What's going on?"
"I can't believe you'd lie to me." Dots of red covered her neck, a sure sign Cinnamon was angry. The same thing used to happen to her when they'd argue when they were dating.
"I'm not lying. I don't understand what's going on here, but I'm being truthful when I say that I'm not dating anyone."
"I saw you last night with a woman."
"You saw me..." Understanding dawned on Kaleb. "You saw me at the coffee shop."
"Yes. And you were laughing with a woman. How can you tell me you weren't on a date?" Hurt filled her eyes.
"Because I wasn't." Kaleb chuckled. He didn’t plan on telling anyone he met the famous author, especially since he'd have to admit to reading a chick book. Ah well. So much for keeping secrets. "I was sitting with a woman. Have you ever read Jewel Johansen's books?"
"The Christian romanceauthor?" Cinnamon's brow furrowed. "Sure." She drew out the word.
"That's who I was talking to."
"Why, how, I mean..." Cinnamon stumbled over her words.
"I needed to get away from the farm. I went to the coffee shop, grabbed one of her books, and started reading it." Kaleb was sure his face matched the color of his truck. "She saw me and asked if she could sit down."
"You were reading a romance novel?" Cinnamon sounded incredulous.
"Yep."
