Why did her stomach take a sharp dive at his comment? He was referring to something most humans had—legs. Some long, some short. No big deal. It wasn’t as if he remarked on her breasts.
Oh God. Why did she have to think that?
Halfway to the house, Josiah and Noah intercepted Ross. He waved her on ahead, while he stopped to talk to them. She checked over her shoulder once and saw his shoulders set. All of them looked to be involved in a deep, serious discussion. About her?
The trio stood in the same stiff pose with steeled spines. Their white hats would give any girl a heart attack if she saw them headed her way.
A minute later, he jogged to catch up. Neither spoke as they continued to the house.
Saying farewell to the Wyntons always left her with pangs and bittersweet feelings. This time felt extra weighty, because she hardly spent any time with them.
But Mr. and Mrs. Wynton, along with Corrine, hugged her and Corrine even dropped a kiss to her cheek, surprising her with the display of affection. They hadn’t been very close growing up, as so many years separated them. But now she couldn’t resist kissing her cheek in return.
Then Ross, in true take-charge fashion, took her elbow and led her to the truck. In seconds, they were trundling down the driveway.
She looked at the house and barns and the beauty of it all. “I wish I could have stayed longer.”
“You’ll come back,” he said with such conviction in his tone that she turned to him.
“Do you really believe that?”
He pierced her in his stare. “Yeah. I do. You’re tired, Pippa. Don’t get depressed on me. We have a lot of hours ahead of us.”
She tossed a glance at the back seat piled with supplies and reached for one of the blankets. “Did we really need all this?”
“Never leave without enough to keep you warm and hydrated.”
“What about the blueberry bars?”
“You’ll be glad I brought them, believe me.”
“Are you one of those men who never stops to eat, only for gas?”
“This truck has double gas tanks. It’ll be a while.” The corner of his mouth twitched, but he didn’t dimple for her.
God, how she used to wish for that dimple. All the Wynton boys had one, but Ross’s especially did things to her insides.
She draped the blanket over herself and the seat felt comfy enough, but her mind flitted like a wild bird did from branch to branch. The work she abandoned in the lab, things she planned to finish before leaving for Seattle, all left behind. She did have her laptop containing all her files, and the majority of her breakthrough experiment was burned into her brain, but her latest experiment was left behind.
“I wish I had all my data before I left the lab. Maybe I can access the database—”
“No.” The single word sent goosebumps all over her body.
“Why not?”
“You can’t contact the lab, even by accessing it through the internet. In fact, all emails go through me too.”
At that instant, her cell phone buzzed. She sat forward to rummage in her computer bag for the device.
“Hand me the phone, Pippa.” He held out a hand, broad palm up. The tone of his voice brooked no arguments.
She glanced at the screen. “It’s only my friend Meredith!”
“Don’t talk to her unless I’m on the line too.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s my friend from college!” Her voice ended on a rasp that reminded her of being choked what felt like days ago.
The phone buzzed again.
“I have to answer her, Ross.” She started to accept the call, and he threw out a hand.
“Put it on speakerphone.”
Seeing he wouldn’t take anything less than her compliance, she answered and pressed speaker.
“Pippa! Thank goodness you picked up the phone. I was really worried when I saw you’d left early without signing out and then I couldn’t reach you. What’s going on?”
“Hi, Meredith. Thanks for checking up on me. I’m fine. Just had a sudden bout of sickness and left in a rush.” She slanted a look at Ross, who responded with an approving nod.
“You do sound a little hoarse. Do you have a virus?”
“I think it might be influenza. I went home sick.”
“How terrible. I’ll stop in and bring you some soup.”
Ross jerked a hand.
Fighting to keep the nerves from her tone, she said, “That’s so sweet of you, Meredith, but I’d hate to think of passing these germs on to you.”
Her friend sucked in a sharp gasp. “The conference! Will you be able to go? MIZR is relying on you to put our small lab on the map with your announcement.”
“That’s why I’m planning to rest a lot in the next couple days. I’m going to make that conference no matter what.”
Ross gave a hard nod.
Annoyance rippled through her. She couldn’t even take a phone call with an old friend without gaining his approval after every single word she said. He acted this way to keep her safe—because she asked him to. She couldn’t get too angry with him, but did he need to be so highhanded?
“I’m glad you’re still planning to attend. The whole world will be listening to you speak.”
She winced. “Thanks for reminding me.”
Meredith issued a light laugh. “Oh yeah…you get nervous being the center of attention.”
“And you don’t. Too bad we can’t swap.”
“I don’t think anybody would mistake me for you, Pippa. Well, if you won’t allow me to bring you soup, then please know I’m thinking about you. If you need a single thing—tissues, cold meds, lozenges, anything—just call and I’ll be there.”
Her heart warmed with her friend’s sweet offer. “I appreciate it, Meredith. You’re the best.”
“Don’t be silly. I know you’d do the same for me. Take care of yourself, Pippa.”
The line went dead, and Pippa turned off her phone, feeling a little shaky at her lie.
“Quick thinking, telling her you’re sick.”
“I don’t like lying, especially to friends.”
“I doubt you’ve told many in your life. You were always a stickler for keeping to the rules.”
“And you weren’t. I remember you and your brothers used to try to get away with as much as you could. I always thought you did it to show off when my family was visiting.”
“Nope. That was an everyday occurrence.” He threw her a smile, dimple and all.
She stared at the divot in his cheek, feeling shakier but in a different way. He relaxed in the seat, one hand on the wheel as he sped them toward Seattle, and the pose only added to his appeal.
It was a silly thing, really, learning this strange new thing about herself. And at her age too.
Pippa studied him from the corner of her eye.
Who knew she liked a man who took charge?
Chapter Four
Ross avoided taking the turns in the highway too fast, and it wasn’t due to road conditions.
No, every time he sped into a curve, Pippa’s head would loll on the headrest into a more uncomfortable position as she slept.
Great—he’d become that person. One of those weirdos who wouldn’t get up for fear of disturbing their cat/sleeping baby/any other innocent creature.