Letters From Al by Pieper, Kathleen (i am reading a book txt) 📗

His hand rested gently on her shoulder and Maddy yearned to lean back into his arms, wondering if it could be the way she remembered it after so many years. It would be easy to do, but would it be right?

Remembering the way she was then, the way she felt drawn to this little town, her feelings now being turned inside out. Meeting him was coincidence? How did she fall under his trance, this handsome, impulsive, deputy. It could turn out to be an improbable situation.

"There are a few things in the freezer and coffee in the cupboard for breakfast. That is, unless you'd care to have breakfast with me." His voice was oddly gentle.

Maddy swallowed hard trying not to smile at his invitation "How nice of you to ask me, but Mr. Lancaster insisted we meet for breakfast, get an early start on the paperwork and all. You understand?"

"I can't believe you are going out with a guy twice my age." He shook his head and grinned at her teasingly. "It's just my luck to be beaten to the punch by him."

If the truth be known, she would have much rather gone to eat with Alec than her aunt's rather strange realtor, but she wasn't going to let him know that.

"I have to get this estate paperwork wrapped up. Sorry." She really was contrite.

“You could cancel and reschedule with your Mr. Lancaster.” Alec said coyly.

"He's not 'My Mr. Lancaster and why in the world would you say something like that? He's been completely professional from what I can tell." Maddy crossed her arms a bit defensively.

"I wish you would tell me what's really bothering you

instead of hiding behind this murky suspicion. I know you're a cop and all, I mean a deputy sheriff, sorry. But if there's something I should know, I wish you'd just spit it out."

“No, no, nothing like that. Just my cop instincts flaring, I guess.”

“I see. Well, I appreciate the concern when it comes to prowlers anyway. Glad you decided to hang around. But I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

"I'm sure you are but I’m glad I hung around here too. I'm very glad you decided to make the trip back yourself, Maddy." His larger hand engulfed hers. A vaguely sensuous feeling passed between them. "Very glad," he repeated and squeezed her hand gently as he turned to go.

"I still think you should have breakfast with me and meet Leland later, but, your decision." He lifted his hand in a wave as he went down the steps.

Maddy watched him saunter down the sidewalk. The emotional weight of the day had worn her down to a nub. She couldn't help but smile at meeting Alec and the memories she held in her heart like reality once again. It just surprised her how strongly she felt about them and him.

"Take care, deputy. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow. Sorry Leland beat you to the draw for breakfast." She smiled and waved back.

She still had a subtle feeling that she was a stranger coming in and taking over. What if people thought she was just here for what she could get? Is that how it always looked during inheritances? Maybe that's why she felt guilty. It's what she had thought she would do herself at first.

The doorbell rang just then and thinking it was Alec come back for another sparring match, she yanked the door open. "If you've come back to argue, I'm not in the mood. Oh, my goodness. I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else. You're the neighbor, next door. Hi, come in."

A bewildered looking older woman with a tin foil covered plate in her hand stood at the door.

“Have I come at a bad time, my Dear?” Peering over her glasses she sighed, “I have come at a bad time. You don’t even know me and here I stand so late in the evening. What did Alec say about me? Said I was snoopy, didn’t he?”

"Yes, I mean, no, he merely said we were neighbors. I'm Maddy Morris. Alec and I seemed to disagree about the impression one makes on other people sometimes."

"Well, according to him you haven't seen each other for fifteen years. That's a long time. You need to go slow.”

‘ I see he's been talking to you already. Well, I agree, and I think he does too, now, Mrs. Smith."

"Good. You two have plenty of time to catch up." Aunt Polly handed her the dish and looked Maddy up and down carefully. "You can call me Aunt Polly like everyone else in town. That's coffeecake for breakfast, by the way." She patted Maddy's hand, a friendly bond forming between the two women instantly.

"My, my, you do favor her. Your Aunt, Miss Madeline, I mean."

"I do? It's strange to hear that, but nice. I'd like to hear more about her and her life here sometime if you don't mind, that is." Maddy was intrigued.

"One thing you'll learn about me, my dear, is I like to talk. I'd love to acquaint you with her, after the fact, of course. Such a shame she's gone, I miss her a lot. Alec said you didn't remember her."

"He has been talking a lot. Well, I guess it's no secret. I was in junior high the last time I saw her. To be truthful, I don't think I paid much attention when I was here. Just being a stupid kid."

"Not stupid, just being a kid." Aunt Polly said graciously.

Maddy went into the kitchen with Aunt Polly following behind. "I think Alec's feelings are hurt because Leland asked me out to breakfast in the morning." Maddy said carefully. "He didn't say anything but I think he was disappointed."

"I see. Well, people in Chicago do eat breakfast don't they?" Her quizzical look revived Maddy's humor.

"Yes, even we eat breakfast in Chicago, Aunt Polly. What the good deputy objects to, is who I'm having it with."

"Oh, I'm not surprised." The older woman nodded. "I don't think that's much of