Beautiful Bounty(28)

He was at a temporary loss, but quickly recovered. “Really?” he sighed, giving her a sheepish grin. At her nod, he continued. “I have to submit some papers to the court here in the county regarding this case. And here,” he used his finger to indicate her home with a circular gesture, “Because I genuinely like your daughter, and thought she could use another friend around, distract her. Keep her company, give moral support. We met last summer, you know,” he gently reminded her.

Lou looked at him sharply. “I don’t know about the distraction part, but yes, she could use all the FRIENDS and support she can get right now.” Nikko clearly got the message. “Are you watching her for business purposes, too?” she added without a pause.

The woman was sharp. He’d give her that. “Yes.” He, too, answered without pause.

Honesty was the best policy. He didn’t want to make an enemy of this woman especially since he wasn’t sure about his feelings for her daughter.

“When my brothers and I post bond for someone, we do like to stick around for a while. See the client’s routine, hangouts. That sort of thing. But, Mrs. Russell, I really am here this morning as a friend. She is more than just business. I like her. Ronnie will go stir crazy staying put, doing nothing but worrying. If I can help to keep her spirits up, then that’s what I’d like to do.”

Lou’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded, and gave him a small smile. She turned to retrieve the pot of coffee, and then poured him a cup.

“Okay, Nikko Marino. I agree she could use a friend, someone to keep her mind off all this, all the time. But she, and I want to be clear, needs only friends right now. I don’t think it would be fair to you or her to complicate matters if you know what I mean?” Her eyes searched his for something. Understanding.

He took her pointed reference and stress on the word friend for a second time. “I understand, Mrs. Russell. I don’t want to complicate the situation for her. I really don’t.”

Just as he finished speaking he heard a door open. Lou looked past him, eyes widening, and made a shooing gesture with her hands. He couldn’t help but turn to look behind him. And there she was, dripping wet, in nothing but a towel, a rather small towel. God help him, he thought, he definitely wanted to be more than friends with Miss Ronnie Sears. He was glad a rather tall counter separated him from the girl’s mother.

“Oh!” Ronnie gasped in surprise. “I didn’t think anyone was here. Jay left for work, and . . . oh, I’ll just be out in a jiff,” she responded, holding her towel closely, water dripping over her shoulders from her unwrapped hair, down her throat and chest.

He could see the rivulets of water, wanted to trace the same path down her skin with his tongue. He was all of a sudden very thirsty as she quickly ducked out of sight into her room, and shut the door.

Nikko reluctantly turned from the vision that just vacated his sight; he kept his eyes downcast, and reached for his cup of coffee. He took a slow sip. When he did look at Lou, her eyes were wide, and she was watching him closely, very closely. He felt the heat creep up his face. He couldn’t hide it.

“Well,” he offered, drawing out the one syllable word uncomfortably. He tried to add a bit of humor to the word by exaggerating it.

“Friends,” she reminded him, narrowing her almond shaped brown eyes.

“Yes,” he reiterated his promise, felt himself blush under her scrutiny. “Friends.” Very good friends! Intimate friends, he hoped despite Lou’s advice to the contrary. He wanted to be a lot more than friends. He lifted his coffee to her, and took a sip noticing she hadn’t poured herself a cup.

“Not having any?” he asked.

“No, I had one this morning. I’m trying to cut back. But Veronica will have one with you, I’m sure.” Her tone was slightly sarcastic. Then more kindly, “She drinks the stuff all day. But, I think I will have one of these,” she said pulling the box of goodies towards her and inspecting the contents. She pulled out a massive bear claw confection. “I shouldn’t though,” she looked down to her trim waistline.

Nikko laughed. Women were so concerned about weight gain. “Please, Mrs.

Russell. You aren’t one of those women, are you? Worried about every calorie?”

He was trying to tease her, lighten the mood until Ronnie returned, then added.

“Although when I had lunch with your daughter yesterday, I noticed she could really pack it in.”

Lou couldn’t help but laugh at the eagerness on this young man’s face. She could tell he was smitten with her daughter. She just hoped her warnings were heeded and he proceeded with caution. Although very suspicious of the young man’s intentions, especially after last summer, she knew her daughter needed some friends her own age. So despite her misgivings, she wouldn’t voice her concerns any further. Ronnie would need friends. Even if it was just someone to vent to, or distract her. Goodness knows this young man was quite good looking, and charming, and although he might prove to be a little too distracting, she mused, he might be an additional support for her daughter. She wouldn’t deny her that. And, Ronnie was grown after all. She made good decisions, well most of the time. Gary was another matter altogether.