Waiting For Rachel: A Christian Romance (Those Karlsson Boys) Read Online Free Page A

flipped the sign on the door to “Closed”.
    “Damian! I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” Rachel said. Damian wasn’t sure if he imagined the spark of pleasure in her eyes or not.  But he knew he didn’t imagine the quick smile that crossed her face before she had a chance to hide it. “You’ve already made your weekly attempt at a date and failed. Why are you back?”
    “That’s precisely why. Apparently once a week just isn’t cutting it.” Damian walked over and leaned a hip against the counter. “I’ve decided to step up my efforts.”
    Rachel was wearing a light purple sweater. The color looked great with her brown eyes and dark hair that lay loosely over her shoulders. Because of the counter, Damian couldn’t see past her waist; but he was willing to bet she wore one of those long skirts she favored, the ones that covered her almost to her ankles and exuded a soft femininity that appealed to him more than any short skirt could have. Even though it was the end of what had probably been a busy day, she still looked fresh.
    “After six months of once a week, only now you’re deciding to step it up?” Rachel asked, her eyes wide.
    “Are you complaining? Should I have done it sooner?”
    Both of Rachel’s eyebrows shot up. “Uh, no, I’m not complaining. Just…observing. But it’s not going to work. What do I have to do to get you to underst--”
    “Have you had supper?” Damian interrupted, not wanting her to get started on that subject.
    “Supper?” Rachel looked momentarily confused then shook her head. “It was busier than we had anticipated. I hadn’t really thought about eating.”
    “How about we grab a bite?” Damian suggested.
    “A bite? To eat?”
    Damian grinned. Yeah, keeping her off balance was definitely his best idea yet. “Nothing fancy, just a quick bite at a burger joint. Or the deli.”
    “The deli?” Rachel’s eyes lit up for a second then dimmed. “They’re not open at this time of night.”
    Damian looked at his watch. “Maybe not, but the burger joint is.”
    “I’m sorry, Damian, but I’m beat. I just want to go home and crash.” Though she didn’t appear tired, Rachel’s tone held a weariness that Damian couldn’t ignore. “I don’t have time for your shenanigans.”
    “My shenanigans?” Damian laid a hand on his heart and faked a wounded look. “I’m just wanting to help out a friend.”
    Rachel gave him a withering look, but Damian spotted the spark of humor there as well. “You’re a friend with ulterior motives.”
    “Well, guess I can’t argue with you there.” He pushed away from the counter. “Okay, I’ll leave you be…for today. See you at church on Sunday?”
    Rachel nodded. “I’ll be there.”
    “Are you going to the carol singing Sunday night?”
    “I’m planning to.”
    “Good, I’ll see you there, too.” Damian headed for the door. He opened it, letting a rush of cold air into the store, but didn’t step out right away. He turned back, as much to get one last look at her as to say, “If you need anything, anything at all, you be sure and give me a call, okay?”
    Rachel’s brows drew together. “Okay,” she agreed with apparent reluctance.
    Damian nodded, glad she hadn’t flat out said no. He wasn’t happy to be leaving her alone, but figured she expected him to push her into going out for a bite to eat. It all went back to his plan to keep her off-balance. Do the opposite of what she was expecting him to do.
    He sat in the truck for a few moments, watching Rachel go about her ritual of closing up the store. “Okay, Lord, if this isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing, you better let me know.”
    He didn’t want to pressure her, but the signals he got from her were mixed. Something told him that she was fighting her feelings for him. Damian drummed his fingers against the steering wheel and wondered aloud, “What’s going on in that mind of hers?”
    Frowning, he started the truck and pulled away