The Keeping(56)

“You could have, but this is more private. We can talk without half of the town knowing our conversation.”

Mel laughed softly. “It is a rather small place. I suppose not much happens, so a visitor in town is big news.”

Ryne agreed as he stood at the stove reheating some soup. “Uh-huh. If you sneeze in Ruth’s diner, the nurse at the clinic is waiting with a thermometer by the time you step outside.”

“I’m surprised you moved here, since you like your privacy so much. It’s obvious that people take note of what everyone else does.”

“They do.” He acknowledged. “But only what happens in town. They leave you pretty much alone at home and for the most part, if you don’t want to talk, they respect that. People are friendly and concerned, but not maliciously nosey.”

Mel wondered if Ryne thought she was maliciously nosey, but decided not to pursue the point. Right now they were getting along quite well and she didn’t want to ruin it. For whatever reason, his earlier mood had passed and he wasn’t being sarcastic either. It would be nice to relax and just have a normal conversation.

That was exactly what they did. Movies, books, and decorating ideas flowed around the table as they ate the simple meal. Mel felt relaxed and answered his casual questions about her schooling and her upbringing. Thankfully, he didn’t mention the interview she wanted and she didn’t either. The story that Aldrich had told her to use wasn’t firmly embedded in her brain yet, and she wanted to go over it a few times before trying it out on Ryne. Somehow she suspected that he’d easily sense deception on her part.

She was just raising her cup of coffee to her lips when a loud crashing sound filled the room. Her hand jerked and the hot liquid spilled onto her clothes. With a yelp, she stood up and pulled the material away from her skin. Ryne was immediately at her side, yanking at the sweater and pulling it over her head.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She sputtered, ineffectually trying to pull the top back down. It was no use. Ryne had it over her head before she could even finish the question. Good heavens, but the man was fast! Mel crossed her arms protectively across her chest.

“I’m keeping you from getting seriously scalded. You can’t leave that hot material on your skin.” He was working at the button on her jeans and she batted at his hand while stepping away from him.

“It wasn’t that hot. There’s only a spot or two on my pants and if you touch me again, I’ll kick you in the balls.” She glared at him, embarrassed and angry at his presumptuous behaviour.

“Relax. I have no designs on your body...at the moment.” He paused and leered at her ample cleavage.

Mel shifted her arms in a vain attempt to cover more of herself, but knew it was useless. There was just too much of her to hide. At least she was wearing a decent bra. Glancing around, she spotted a tea towel and snatched it up, wrapping it around herself.

Ryne had now moved to the sink and was soaking a cloth. Once it was wet, he approached her and flicked up the towel, pressing the wet cloth to the hot pink skin of her stomach. The cloth was ice cold! Giving a startled cry, Mel tired to step back, but Ryne simply grabbed her and held her in place. Once again she found herself sputtering wordlessly not sure if she should be protesting him touching her or the coldness of the cloth.

Pre-empting any comment from her, he spoke sternly. “Be still. It’s important to cool a burn immediately. Now hold this cloth while I stick your sweater in water so it doesn’t stain.” He grabbed her hand and pressed it to her stomach so she could keep the cloth in place.

“Oh.” It was a small comment, but the only one that came to mind. The cool rag did feel good and Mel let herself relax a bit. Apparently Ryne had nothing else in mind, but tending her burn. She watched him fill a large bowl with water and plunge her top into it. “How do you know how to do that? Treat a stain, I mean?”

He glanced over his shoulder at her. “I’m twenty-seven and I’ve been doing my own laundry for quite a while now.”

Mel nodded. “What was that noise?”

He nodded his head towards the window and Mel looked out to see rain pouring down. She hadn’t realized how dark it had become. “We’re having a spring storm, it looks like. The wind has really picked up. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the older trees in forest fell and that’s what the sound was.”

She giggled. “So if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there, it still makes a noise?”

He chuckled back. “How’s your burn?”

Mel took the cloth away. Her skin wasn’t nearly as pink now. “I think it’s better.”