Page 16 of Just One Spark

She crossed her arms over her chest."Since when do you boss me around?"

I looked around at the empty sidewalk."It doesn't look like you're getting a lot of customers."

She pursed her lips."Most people are heading home."

"Don't you think you should be too?"

She chewed her lip for a second."I was going to head home at six."

I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall behind her head.That was in fifteen minutes."It won't hurt anything to pack things up early, will it?"

She sighed and let her arms fall to the side."I suppose not."

I nodded, not wanting her to know that I thought of this is as a win.She wouldn't appreciate that."Can I help you with anything?"

"I just need to wash everything and put it away."

"Can you let me inside?"I nodded toward the side door that I'd entered just this morning for that explosive kiss.

She nodded, and I met her at the door.When I stepped inside, she moved away as if she didn't want a repeat of this morning or even the memory of it on her mind.

I wasn't going to push her any further today.The important thing was getting her home safely.

I helped her empty the hot-chocolate dispenser, and she began washing it out.I grabbed a warm washcloth to wipe down the counters.Then I put things away under the counter so they were secure when she drove.

When the dishes were done, she said."I'm ready to go."

"I'll follow you home."That's when I realized I had no idea where Hattie lived.Her family had resided in an older home on the outskirts of town when we were friends.But I didn't know if her mother had moved after her father had died.Or where Hattie currently lived.

She waited for me to exit the space.

I got into my truck and turned it on, waiting for her to pull away from the curb.Hattie was proud and independent and could take care of herself.But I didn't like her closing when it was dark at night.What if someone hassled her?

Why didn't she have an employee or friend she worked with?I wasn't sure I could handle her being alone in her truck late at night.Anything could happen, even in a small town.

6

Hattie

Holiday music played over the speakers as I drove toward my apartment.I wondered what Rowan would think of where I lived.I'd gotten a place in one of the older complexes near Telluride.It was all I could afford after getting a loan to purchase the truck.Plus, the landlord let me keep my truck in the lot.

I parked my truck hoping I'd be able to dig it out tomorrow after the snow ended without too much trouble.Before I could gather my purse, Rowan opened the door, and my heart stuttered.

He held out his hand, and even though I didn't need his help, I put my gloved hand in his.

I felt the warmth through the knit material.I slid to the ground and immediately let go of his hand.I shouldn't be enjoying the way my hand felt in his.We weren't in a real relationship.I had to remember that."This is for show, right?So people think we're actually dating?"

He sighed."Right."

I wasn't sure why he was taking this so far.He didn't need to ensure I got home okay.I wasn't used to anyone worrying about my safety, and it was making my heart flutter.

I moved toward the staircase that led to my apartment.

" There is nothing to stop people from coming up to your door," Rowan said, concern evident in his tone.

"When I toured places, I was looking for somewhere to park my truck.This was the only place that allowed me to do that."

"Ah," he said as if that explained everything.