He nodded in understanding.
“Why don’t we sit?” she suggested.
“This is the best you’ve got.” He gestured to the couch with drop cloths covering it as well as the other furniture in the guest house. It had been so long since anyone stayed here that she obviously had her work cut out for her—even for just a temporary visit.
She joined him on the beige-covered sofa. “Sorry I can’t offer you a better, cleaner place to sit.”
He shrugged. “No big deal.”
“So tell me about the Stepford wives.” She changed the subject back to him.
He chuckled. “It’s really not that bad. It’s just that my mother’s been ill and she’s got this notion that it’s time for her sons to settle down and give her grandchildren.” He sobered at the mention of his mother’s health. “Now she’s launched an all-out campaign and the single women in town are only too happy to participate.”
She recalled Pearl’s words earlier about his mother lamenting her grandchildless fate. Obviously there was more to it than that. “Poor man. All the women in town throwing themselves at you.” She clucked her tongue, though a part of her was actually jealous she wasn’t the only one who found this guy incredibly sexy. Not that she had any desire to marry and settle down, but she could see why those women who did found him the perfect catch.
“Trust me it’s a lot tougher than it sounds considering I’m not interested.”
“I’m surprised you’re telling me about it.”
“Oh, you’d hear about it soon enough. Especially after Pearl gets through letting everyone know about you and your grand entrance.” He ran a hand through that gorgeous, dark hair. “You’ll be branded.”
Kendall started to laugh, remembering how Rick had carried her over the threshold to the tune of Pearl’s humming “Here Comes the Bride,” in between chiding Eldin and using his back as an excuse to avoid marriage. Kendall would have mentioned that Eldin seemed anxious to put a ring on her finger, but she sensed Pearl had a mind of her own. Just like Rick’s mother, apparently.
But Rick wouldn’t find this situation amusing, so she clasped her hands and tried for sincerity. “No one could possibly believe you’d gotten married without letting anyone know.”
“They just might considering it’s happened before.” His eyes clouded over, memories obviously pushing at him and making him uncomfortable.
He’d been married. Eloped, it seemed. No wonder he resisted his mother’s marriage push now. She leaned forward, surprised beyond belief. “Do tell.”
“Not in this lifetime,” he said, quoting her. He rose from his seat. “So what are your plans?” He tossed the volley back to her.
Apparently they both had emotional walls they didn’t want to let crumble. Much as she was dying to know more about him, he’d shut her down. Since she didn’t want to share any kind of closeness that would bond them, not when she planned to leave soon, she had to respect his privacy.
He wanted to know her plans and she assumed he meant short term. She took in the dusty trappings around her, and recalled all the things that appeared to be old and decrepit in the main house. She rubbed a weary hand over her eyes. “For tonight I guess I’ll clean the room where I’ll sleep and maybe the kitchen.” She crinkled her nose at the thought of all that dust swirling around her. “Tomorrow I’ll get started on getting the house in shape. Oh, and I suppose I should contact a realtor and see what my possibilities are, even though I know now I need to finish fixing before I can show the place.”
He nodded, hands shoved in his back pockets as he, too, surveyed the damage. “I’ll help you clean.”
His offer touched her but she couldn’t accept. “You don’t need to do that. Honestly, I can get one room in decent shape by myself.”
“With what? You’re going to need supplies and if the weather forecast is correct, an A.C. unit. No way will you be able to sleep in this place without air.”
She tried to inhale but choked instead. Rick was right. The air was stagnant and oppressive. Concern and a wave of depression settled over her. “Oh, geez. I really didn’t anticipate all these extra costs.” She mentally calculated the money in her account. Unfortunately she’d need more than she had in the bank just to live the next month or so here.
“I take it you thought you’d arrive, list the house, sell, and be on your way?”
Kendall nodded. “A little overly optimistic, huh?”
“A little.” He grinned.
“But I like your attitude. Why deal with problems until they crop up?”
“You’re just being nice to me. You don’t want to call the new girl in town a ditz or an impulsive idiot.”
His sexy grin turned into a scowl as his lips took a downward turn. “Hey quit being so hard on yourself. You’ve been through a lot. Now do you have an immediate plan?”
For money, she did have her credit cards, and Brian would be more than happy to overnight her jewelry and supplies. If she could find a store to place them on consignment, maybe she could scrounge up some extra cash. Okay, so she had a plan. Of sorts. She glanced at Rick. “Just point the way to town and I’ll . . .”
“Fly there on your magic carpet?”
She let out an exhale and added fixing the car to her list of expenses. “I don’t suppose I could bum a ride?” She bit down on her lower lip, realizing that for a man who was tired of women who wanted something from him, Kendall was probably more trouble than she was worth.
“I’m heading toward town myself. And before you ask, yes I can give you a lift back home afterward.”
Home. Had she ever really had one? Not wanting to delve into deep thoughts right now, she flashed him a grateful smile instead. “You’re a regular knight in shining armor, Rick Chandler.”
He grinned. “What can I say? I never could resist a damsel in distress.” A mixture of humor and unexpected sadness touched his voice despite the sexy outward smile. Was the sadness related to his past marriage, she wondered.
Once again, when it came to this enigmatic man, Kendall wondered why. What made him tick, what happened in his past that drove him to avoid another marriage yet make it a habit of rescuing women in need? Knowing his pull and effect on her, she was glad she wouldn’t be around long enough to find out.
Chapter Three
An hour later Rick had shown Kendall through Herb Cooper’s General Store, helping her pick out household necessities. More than once as they walked the aisles, Rick had the sensation he was being watched. But each time he glanced around, the aisles were empty.
He’d chalked it up to too many hours on call when from behind a jostling noise startled him and he turned in time to see Lisa Burton. She lingered at the end by the cheese and cracker section, staring when she thought he wasn’t looking. He groaned and jerked away before she could catch his eye. He didn’t need another confrontation with the oversexed schoolmarm.
“You’re quiet all of a sudden.” Kendall spoke into the silence. “I’m almost finished and I appreciate your taking the time to wait around while I shop.”