First Impressions Read Online Free Page B

She’d turned a light shade of green. “What’s the matter?”
    â€œYou might have warned me,” she said shakily. “I wish I’d looked away.”
    Vance glanced back to the gruesome mess on the side of the path. That, he told himself grimly, had been incredibly stupid. Silently, he cursed her, then himself, before he took her arm.
    â€œCome back and sit down.”
    â€œI’ll be all right in a minute.” Embarrassed and annoyed, Shane tried to pull away. “I don’t want your gracious hospitality.”
    â€œI don’t want you fainting on my land,” he returned, drawing her into the clearing. “You didn’t have to stay once you’d shown me the nest.”
    â€œOh, you’re very welcome,” she managed as she placed a hand on her rolling stomach. “You are the most ill-mannered, unfriendly man I’ve ever met.”
    â€œAnd I thought I was on my best behavior,” he murmured, opening the screen door. After pulling Shane inside, Vance led her through the huge empty room toward the kitchen.
    After a glance at the dingy walls and uncovered floor, Shane sent him what passed as a smile. “You must give me the name of your decorator.”
    She thought he laughed, but she could have been mistaken.
    The kitchen, in direct contrast to the rest of the house, was bright and clean. The walls had been papered, the counters and cabinets refinished.
    â€œWell, this is nice,” she said as he nudged her into a chair. “You do good work.”
    Without responding, Vance set a kettle on the stove. “I’ll fix you some coffee.”
    â€œThank you.”
    Shane concentrated on the kitchen, determined to forget what she’d just seen. The windows had been reframed, the wood stained and lacquered to match the grooved trim along the floor and ceiling. He had left the beams exposed and polished the wood to a dull gleam. The original oak floor had been sanded and sealed and waxed. Vance Banning knew how to use wood, Shane decided. The porch was basic mechanics, but the kitchen showed a sense of style and an appreciation for fine detail.
    It seemed unfair to her that a man with such talent should be out of work. Shane concluded that he had used his savings to put a down payment on the property. Even if the house had sold cheaply, the land was prime. Remembering the barrenness of the rest of the first floor, she couldn’t prevent her sympathies from being aroused again. Her eyes wandered to his.
    â€œThis really is a lovely room,” she said, smiling. The faintest hint of color had seeped back into her cheeks. Vance turned his back to her to take a mug from a hook.
    â€œYou’ll have to settle for instant,” he told her.
    Shane sighed. “Mr. Banning . . . Vance,” she decided, and waited for him to turn. “Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I’m not a nosy, prying neighbor—at least not obnoxiously so. I was curious to see what you were doing to the house and what you were like. I know everyone within three miles of here.” With a shrug, she rose. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”
    As she started to brush by him, Vance took her arm. Her skin was still chilled. “Sit down . . . Shane,” he said.
    For a moment, she studied his face. It was cool and unyielding, but she sensed some glimmer of suppressed kindness. In response to it, her eyes warmed. “I disguise my coffee with milk and sugar,” she warned. “Three spoonsful.”
    A reluctant smile tugged at his mouth. “That’s disgusting.”
    â€œYes, I know. Do you have any?”
    â€œOn the counter.”
    Vance poured the boiling water, and after a moment’s hesitation, took down a second mug for himself. Carrying them both, he joined Shane at the drop leaf table.
    â€œThis really is a lovely piece.” Before reaching for the milk, she ran her fingers over the