Chapter 13

“Hi, Linds,” Spencer called, driving slowly to match her pace. “It’s a beautiful sunny day, would you like to go for a ride with me?”

“And you just happen to be here in your truck with a picnic basket while my sister is busy with my mom?”

“Strange coincidence, isn’t it? Must be my lucky day,” Spencer winked at her.

“This is going to make Mel crazy.”

“I won’t tell her.”

“You’re not the one who has to deal with her.”

“It’s not my fault if your sister misunderstands our relationship.”

“By ‘our relationship’ do you mean yours and mine or yours and hers?”

“Both,” Spencer replied.

“You are nothing but trouble,” she declared as she shook her head smiling, and climbed into the truck’s cabin.

“So I’ve been told,” Spencer smiled at her and took a road that led out of town. “It’s going to be fun.”

Spencer could see a million questions swimming in her eyes, but in the end, she simply said, “Do you have a destination in mind, or is this a make-it-up-as-you-go kidnapping?”

Spencer laughed.

“We’re going to Indian Lake Campground.”

“There goes my fantasy of a Caribbean cruise. Isn’t that the place where we spent our summers when we were kids?”

“Yes, that’s the one. It’s still there, but it’s quiet in Autumn. We can enjoy the colorful fall foliage without pesky mosquitoes and crowds.”

“Too bad I left my tent in my other purse,” she said gently poking Spencer in the ribs.

He rolled his eyes. “Smartypants. You do like ham, cheese, and mayo, right?”

Lindsey blinked at the question. It was her favorite, but she had no idea how he knew that.

“Yes, I like ham, cheese, and mayonnaise,” she agreed quietly.

Lindsey didn’t know what she was doing. She felt out of control, and couldn’t catch up with the turbulent sensations rolling through her body.

She trailed her fingers down his arm.

“How did you get this scar?”

Spencer’s breathing hitched when she touched him.

He shrugged “A work-related accident. There’s no big story behind it.”

When Lindsey looked at him, his eyes were steady on her. A smile played at her lips and she hated that he could do this to her. It shouldn’t be like this.

She was a fool thinking she could have him. What was Spencer’s interest in her? She wasn’t tall or blonde or curvy or any of the things men usually wanted.

Was he using her to get back at Melissa?

When they finally arrived at the campground, Spencer spread a tablecloth on a shady picnic table, and unpacked the basket, removing jars of pickles, preserves, drinks, and sandwiches.

Lindsey sat across from him, her hair up in a sexy ponytail.

“It’s beautiful out here,” she said taking a look around. “Living in Los Angeles made me forget how beautiful Middletown is.”

“It sure is,” he said, looking straight at her.

Lindsey felt herself blush. She grabbed a sandwich and gave it a bite.

The way Spencer looked at her made her feel like a woman.

“Are you okay?” He asked picking a sandwich from the plate and giving it a bite.

“I am. Will you answer me a question?”

“Sure.”

“Why did you take all this wonderful trouble, and for what purpose have you brought me here?”

“That makes two questions, Linds,” said Spencer with a smile. “You’re lucky today I have a two-for-one deal going.”

She looked into Spencer’s eyes, searching for any clues to the man behind them. She felt shivers dance up and down her spine.

“The short answer is that I missed not being able to talk with you again the other night. Apparently, Mel thought your presence wasn’t necessary,” he pouted in a very sincere way.

“I also think that you deserve a day off from the wicked witch of the west.” Spencer laughed at his own joke, and added, trying to put her at ease, “Don’t read too much into this. We are just two friends spending time together. I missed that.”

“Look, Spencer, it’s no secret that Melissa wants you back in her life...”

He nodded his head as he took another bite.

“So?” Spencer asked with his mouth half full.

“What part of ‘my sister and boss is in love with you don’t you understand?”

“The part about it not being true,” he answered flatly. “Melissa is not in love with me.”

Lindsey stared at Spencer as long as she could without getting lost in his blue eyes.

“Guys are notorious for missing that kind of stuff. You don’t hear the things she says, the way she goes on about you,” Lindsey said, pleading for understanding.

“Mel needs a man who doesn’t have a problem being an accessory she wears at parties and social events,” Spencer replied calmly. “We would never be a real couple. I’d be a secondary character in the movie of her life.”

“She doesn’t have a chance with you, does she?” Lindsey asked, twisting her mouth.