Part 4 (2/2)

Her absence over the next few months was going to be difficult, but he was so happy she was following this dream of hers to travel the world. She had set a goal, and now she was making it happen. That's the kind of woman Melissa was. And currently, she looked like she was gearing up for the inquisition.

”So, what's new? You look tired. Been up late dreaming of pie again? Or maybe pretty blondes?”

Wade rubbed his hand against his jaw and smiled. ”You're like a dog with a bone, Mel.”

”Oh, come on, Wade. This is good for you and for her. She's so sweet. Don't smirk at me, mister. I see the way you look at her and I saw that kiss you laid on her at the auction. So did everyone else in town, in case you were wondering. You might think you're being subtle, but believe me, everyone around here sees it.” She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. ”She'll be good for you. It's time you start living again, Wade. You've shut yourself off for too long. If anyone can put a smile back on that ugly mug of yours, it's Sydney.”

”I would have asked her out on my own, you know.”

”Well frankly, I got tired of waiting, Wade Jenkins. I leave in a couple days and there was no way in h.e.l.l I was gonna wait six months to hear about your first date.” She leaned back in her seat, smiling. ”Look at it this way: I just gave you two a little shove in the right direction, that's all. You can thank me later.” As she scooted out of her seat, Wade caught her wrist.

”Thanks, Mel.”

She bent over and kissed his cheek. ”Anytime.” With a wink she walked away, checking on each of her tables and filling the diner with her infectious laughter.

His thoughts returned to Sydney and the kiss they had shared. He had no idea what made him do it, driven only by the thought that he couldn't not kiss her at that moment. She had looked so sweet and nervous. And s.e.xy. There was something about her he couldn't resist, and he realized he didn't want to anymore. Not after he had a taste of her and what could be.

As luck would have it, just then Sydney's tiny blue car flew into the parking lot, kicking up rocks as she sped around back to park. Fate wasn't going to let this go. And neither was Wade.

The first time Wade saw Sydney Ross was four months ago and it was a sight he'd never forget. She was standing on top of the counter, changing a light bulb in one of the fixtures for Cara. Her laughter and spirit caught his attention immediately, not to mention her killer legs which were on full display that day. He buried his smile behind his mug at the memory. She was beautiful, with the kind of curves a man couldn't help but notice, and hair so blonde it was almost white.

He'd had many fantasies about that hair of hers.

At thirty-four, Wade had been through the relations.h.i.+p wringer and had no interest in doing it again. Even with all her personality, there was something about Sydney, a darkness in her eyes, a mystery that she kept to herself that he had been trying to figure out. Women with secrets were bad news in Wade's book. But Sydney wasn't just any woman; she was the first woman in years to spark his interest and make him even think about what it would be like to have someone in his life.

How stupid was he?

He learned a long time ago, you find out more about a person by watching than talking to them. Staying true to that, he was quite content to watch Sydney every chance he got. Sometimes, he noticed her eyes were full of sadness, but only when she thought no one was looking. She kept it hidden well, probably from years of practice, Wade guessed. When her daughter, Faith, was around, it was the opposite. Her face glowed. She couldn't hide her love for her daughter if she tried. The two of them together were like suns.h.i.+ne, and everyone around was attracted to them.

Especially Wade.

”Sorry I'm late.” He heard Sydney's soft voice in the kitchen and Wade forced his eyes to stay trained outside a bit longer. ”Faith had a fever when I picked her up from school. I gave her some medicine before I left her with Agnes, but I wanted to see if it went any higher.” He heard the kitchen door squeak and his head reflexively turned to watch her make her entrance with two boxes balanced in her arms. As she slipped the golden crusted pies into the rack, Wade knew she had been up late baking.

And she still hadn't called him.

He knew she'd go on the date, since it was part of his bounty for winning the pie and she didn't seem the type to back out of an obligation. But he didn't want her to see him as an obligation; he wanted to be her choice. She had liked it when he kissed her-he'd kissed enough women to know when they were into it, and she was definitely right there with him. But since then, she'd been avoiding him. His d.a.m.n wounded pride wouldn't let it go. He'd rather not go out with her at all than to have her grudgingly follow through with it because she felt like she had to. The silence was preferred to her pity.

There was no denying the chemistry between them, but she turned skittish whenever she found him looking at her, which was often. Fortunately, Wade was a patient man and he was willing to wait and see what happened between them. He had a feeling when Sydney made up her mind to do something, she did it all the way.

While he finished off his sandwich, he studied Sydney. Her every movement was enticing to him. Somehow the woman managed to make something as simple as slicing pie s.e.xy. He was enjoying the view as she bent over to fill the lower shelf when Melissa appeared at his table with a smirk.

The girl didn't miss a thing.

”Got your eye on anything else? You still look kinda hungry, Wade. Maybe something sweet now that Sydney's here?”

”I'll have some pie.” He saw her eyes light up as she scurried back to the counter. She bent her head to Sydney's and whispered in her ear. Sydney's head swung around his direction then quickly turned away, but not before he caught the pink flush of her cheeks. Whatever Melissa had been running her mouth about earned her a playful smack on the shoulder.

From across the diner, Melissa flashed Wade a big thumbs up. ”Sydney will be right over with your pie, Wade. I'm going on break.” She disappeared into the kitchen just as Sydney made a lunge at her.

He watched Sydney take her time finis.h.i.+ng up with the pies before steeling herself and heading his way. She was easy to read, and for some reason he found her vulnerability where he was concerned, cute. There was no point hiding his interest anymore, the auction had taken care of that and the opportunity to watch the sway of her hips as she walked his way was far too tempting.

”Hi, Wade. Melissa, in her own subtle way, hinted you might like a piece of pie.” She gently placed a plate on the table with a nervous smile.

”Peach?” he asked as his fork pierced the crust, spearing one of the ripe fruit slices.

Sydney shrugged, but didn't step away. He could tell she was waiting for his reaction to the pie and that brought him more satisfaction than it should have.

”I thought I'd try something new. I also figured you might be sick of blackberry pie, since the auction.”

The sweet flavors of peach exploded in his mouth with each bite. The woman had a gift for baking, anyone with taste buds would notice that, but there was something about the idea of eating something she had made herself that Wade found incredibly s.e.xy.

Maybe it was simply because he kept remembering that her lips tasted as sweet as her pies.

”It's delicious.”

”Thanks,” she said tugging at her ponytail that had fallen over her shoulder trying not to smile at his praise. If only she knew the improper thoughts her fingers put in his head as they glided through her hair.

”You haven't called.” It was hard to keep from smiling when her hands went still, her eyes filling with an insecurity that, on her, was charming.

”It's late whenever I think to call you, or I'm in bed. I mean, I-I didn't...” she stammered for a second, like he knew she would when he tossed the questions out to her. He could see her thinking, then with a resigned sigh she blurted out, ”The thing is, Wade, I don't know how to ask a man out on a date.” He could see how much it cost her to admit it. She was young and lively, but apparently old fas.h.i.+oned on some things.

That made him smile.

He knew she was seconds away from taking off for the kitchen, but he couldn't resist teasing her just a little more to see if he could get that spark of fire to flash in her eyes. ”If you'd have called, I'd have done the asking.” Right on cue, her arms folded and her temper flared. And all he could think about was kissing her again.

”You've been playing me.” Her hip settled against the table right in his line of sight. He took a long, slow appraisal of her curves before meeting her eyes.

”Guilty as charged.”

”Then I don't plan on making this easy on you. I may owe you a date but you better show me a good time or I'll tell all your female fans around town that you don't know how to entertain a woman.” She leaned forward to take the empty pie plate, but Wade stopped her, catching her hand and holding her close enough to smell the intoxicating floral scent of her perfume.

”I know plenty of ways to entertain a woman, Sydney. Don't you worry about that.” Once again electricity sparked around them, the s.e.xual tension palpable. He thought for a second about kissing her again because their first kiss hadn't been enough. He definitely wanted a second taste, but with her impeccable timing, Melissa came screeching out of the kitchen.

”Syd, look!”

Sydney nearly fell into Wade's lap, she was so startled. ”What's gotten into you?” she asked her friend as she waved the newspaper in her hand.

”Wade, you've got to see this, too!” She shoved the pie plate toward the window and spread out the local newspaper on the table. The front page story was about the festival and Sydney's record breaking pie. There was a large picture of her and Wade that accompanied the story listing him as the high bidder and her as the baker.

”Holy c.r.a.p.” Her face went white as a sheet as she slid down into the seat across from Wade. With trembling hands she covered her mouth and read the story, her eyes widening as she looked at the picture for the third time. ”Faith,” she gasped as he finger brushed the corner of the photograph where her daughter's image was captured in perfect clarity.

”Syd, what's wrong?” Melissa asked, looking to Wade for a clue as to what could have upset her so much. All he could do was shrug because he was as confused as Melissa.

”Who did this?” Her voice was barely a whisper as she looked between them.

”One of the local photographers probably.”

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