Fudgeballs And Other Sweets Read Online Free Page B

tried not to sound overly encouraging, but it was hard to hold back her enthusiasm.
    â€œYou ever been inside the shop?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œGot a spare minute?”
    She didn’t have a spare second, but she found herself wiping her hands on her apron and trailing him next door. She studied the way his slacks fit his tight little behind, and thoughts of Kevin Costner in Tin Cup blinded her. Nice. Very nice.
    Inside the kite shop, she looked around and felt like a kid in Disney World. Colorful designs filled the store, hanging from the ceiling and walls, creating a fantasy world.
    â€œYou like kites?”
    â€œSure, who doesn’t?” She inspected a vivid blue one and imagined it soaring into the sky, dancing among fluffy white clouds. “This one looks like fun.”
    He came over to stand behind her. She was surprised at her reaction to his masculinity. The smell of Polo floated lightly between them.
    â€œThat’s the simplest design—flat diamond shape formed by two sticks tied into a cross. Then there’s the box kite, open frame, rectangular.”
    â€œWhat are those that have no frame at all?”
    â€œParafoil.”
    â€œHow do they fly?”
    â€œThe wind shapes them. See the triangular fins on the tail? They act as stabilizers.”
    Jenny picked up a vivid yellow hexagonal kite which, according to the tag, was called a three-sticker Malay. “I’m surprised to see there’s such a demand for kites.”
    He smiled, and her pulse thumped like a schoolgirl’s. He was in his world now. She marveled that his manly features held a boy’s excitement. But he was no boy, and that’s what bothered her.
    â€œFortunately, it’s getting more and more popular as a sport—really big in Thailand.”
    â€œYou’re kidding.” She knew that remark sounded silly, but she suddenly felt tongue-tied as he stepped closer.
    â€œNo, I’m serious. The all-Thailand championships are held in Bangkok every spring.”
    â€œYou ship kites all the way to Thailand?”
    â€œShip them, buy from them—sort of a trade-off.” He reached for the blue kite she favored. “This particular design comes from India. In India the kite string is coated with ground glass. The object is to cut the opponent’s string.”
    She winced. “Sounds dangerous.”
    â€œIn South America, the kite frames are armed with razor blades. Our competitions are tame in comparison.”
    â€œI can’t imagine kite flying as a combat sport.” Jenny smiled. “It was always just a pleasurable way to spend an afternoon when I was a kid—except when the kite got caught in a tree.”
    He smiled again and their gazes caught. “That happens a lot.”
    His voice dropped to a low pitch. There was something... sensual about it. Straightening, she realized she’d stayed too long. She suddenly wanted to take the day off. Go on a picnic, eat ice cream, fly a kite.
    â€œDefinitely sounds like you need a place twice the size of this,” she conceded.
    â€œI’m glad you understand,” he returned quietly.
    What’s to understand? He needs more space, I need more space—when he moves we’ll both have what we want.
    â€œI need to get back to my fudge kettle.” She set a kite aside. “The next set of tourists will invade us any moment.”
    â€œSorry to have bent your ear so long. I’m afraid I get carried away about my kites.”
    And she’d gotten carried away with him. He’d spurred thoughts she shouldn’t have. When he visited her shop, she felt secure, but in his shop it seemed too...too personal. “There’s something to say about loving your work.”
    â€œI’ve monopolized the conversation,” he apologized. He walked her to the door. “Sometime I’d love to hear about—fudgeballs.” He handed her the blue kite. “For when you