Lizzy forced a smile. “I’m fine, Peter. Thank you. Just too many hours sitting on my rear in an airplane and in a car.” Shewasn’t about to tell him about the weakness in her legs. All of them would notice sooner or later.
“I hear you.” He gave her a genuine smile. They both turned at footsteps approaching.
Lizzy stared as the blue-eyed man approached her. She didn’t have the strength to straighten away from the car door just yet. The confidence and kindness this man radiated had her knees weak and her hands trembling.
Peter stepped forward, blocking her view of the handsome blond man and shaking his hand. They conferred in low voices. She couldn’t hear what they were saying. Finally, Peter drew back and gestured to her. “Miss Eliza Birmingham, allow me to introduce your adventure companion for the next two weeks, retired Army Ranger Lieutenant Chase Tenley.”
Peter didn’t appear to know fanfare. Lizzy could’ve made that introduction much more dazzling. She hid a smile and forced herself to step forward, grateful her legs supported her.
Chase had his hand out. She placed hers in it. He grasped her hand in a firm but somehow gentle way. His smile was welcoming, blinding really. He wouldn’t be considered classically handsome, but he appealed to her with his well-honed muscles, blue eyes, even facial features, and incredible smile. He had to be over six feet tall, as he had her five-eight by at least half a foot.
“A pleasure, Miss Birmingham.” His deep, lyrical voice interrupted her worries. “With a name like that, you must be from the South.”
There was a twang in his voice that said he was from the South, but his voice was smooth like a jazz singer.
“Lizzy, please, and sadly, no,” she said. “I’m from a small town in Kansas nobody’s ever heard of.”
“Try me.” Chase’s smile was glorious, and he hadn’t released her hand yet. Instead, he softened his grip and held on as if hereally enjoyed the feel of his palm against hers. Warm tingles radiated from his fingertips brushing gently against the back of her hand. The attraction caused a dual reaction. She wanted to keep holding his hand and run away at the same time.
“Eudora,” she said, realizing her legs felt strengthened as he held her hand and they exchanged smiles.
“Okay, you got me,” Chase said. “Is it close to anything?”
“No, sir.”
“Ah … yes,ma’am. You sound like you’re from the South.”
She laughed at that, and he joined her.
“I like you,” she declared, forcing herself to be open to being friends. Her natural impetuousness overpowered her lingering concerns. “Can we be friends?”
His grin became irresistible, and she almost forgot all her reservations. “Absolutely,” he said, his thumb trailing enticingly over her hand.
Warmth filled her from the simple touch, his gaze, and his words.
“Thank you for being so welcoming and gracious,” he continued. “I appreciate ya.”
Had he been nervous to meet her? His words and the relief in his eyes said he had.
She relaxed even more. “I appreciate y’all.”
He laughed, and she startled.
“What was funny about that? Did I do the accent wrong?”
“No,” he assured her, his smile enticing. “I loved your accent but y’all generally refers to more than one person.”
His voice was sensual. She was drawn to it.
“Well … maybe I was including Peter.”
Their head guard had stoically stood to the side as they greeted each other. Lizzy had almost dismissed their need for guards, the danger she’d been in, her fears, and even the epic scenery as she met and flirted with Chase.
Did she need to be more cautious, not proclaim she wanted to be friends within moments of meeting him? Most likely. Even with her past experiences and fears, it was difficult to bury her inclinations to be verbose, happy, and open.
“Forgive me. Of course you were including Peter.” His smile and the twinkle in his blue eyes said he knew she wasn’t.
“Which part of the South are you from?”
