The Road To Love: Love by Degree / The Rain Sparrow. Debbie Macomber

that Derek had accidentally-on-purpose forgotten to tell you about renting out rooms.”

      Reed shrugged noncommittally. “I was thinking more about the time he let you climb on top of the roof,” he muttered.

      “He didn’t let me, I went all by myself.”

      “But you won’t do it again. Right?”

      “Right.” Ellen nodded reluctantly. Behind Reed’s slow smiles and easy banter, she recognized his unrelenting male pride. “You still haven’t forgiven me for that, have you?”

      “Not you. Derek.”

      “I think this is one of those subjects on which we should agree to disagree.”

      “Have you heard from your mother?” Reed asked, apparently just as willing to change the subject.

      “Yes. She’s emailed me several times. She seems very happy and after a day or two, I discovered I couldn’t be more pleased for her. She deserves a lot of contentment.”

      “I knew you’d realize that.” Warmth briefly showed in his green eyes.

      “I felt a lot better after talking to you. I was surprised when Mom announced her marriage, but I shouldn’t have been. The signs were there all along. I suppose once the three of us kids were gone, she felt free to remarry. And I suppose she thought that presenting it to the family as a fait accompli would make it easier for all of us.”

      There was a comfortable silence as they finished eating. The pizza was thick with sausage and cheese, and Ellen placed her hands on her stomach after leisurely eating two narrow pieces. “I’m stuffed,” she declared, leaning back. “But you’re right, this has got to be the best pizza in town.”

      “I thought you’d like it.”

      Reed brought over a carry-out box and Ellen carefully put the leftovers inside.

      “How about a movie?” he asked once they were in the car park.

      Astounded, Ellen darted him a sideways glance, but his features were unreadable. “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”

      “I wouldn’t have asked you if I was.”

      “But you must be exhausted.” Ellen guessed he’d probably spent most of the day driving.

      “A little,” he admitted.

      Her frown deepened. Suddenly, it no longer seemed right for them to be together—because of Danielle. The problem was that Ellen had been so pleased to see him that she hadn’t stopped to think about the consequences of their going out together. “Thanks anyway, but it’s been a long week. I think I’ll call it a night.”

      When they reached the house, Reed parked on the street rather than the driveway. The light from the stars and the silvery moon penetrated the branches that hung overhead and created shadows on his face. Neither of them seemed eager to leave the warm cab of the pickup truck. The mood was intimate and Ellen didn’t want to disturb this moment of tranquillity. Lowering her gaze, she admitted to herself how attracted she was to Reed and how much she liked him. She admitted, too, that it was wrong for her to feel this way about him.

      “You’re quiet all of a sudden.”

      Ellen’s smile was decidedly forced. She turned toward him to apologise for putting a damper on their evening, but the words never left her lips. Instead, her eyes met his. Paralyzed, she stared at Reed, fighting to disguise the intense attraction she felt for him. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to lean toward him and brush her lips against his. She could smell the woodsy scent of his aftershave and could almost taste his mouth on hers. With determination, she pulled her gaze away and reached for the door, like a drowning person grasping a life preserver.

      She was on the front porch by the time Reed joined her. Her fingers shook as she inserted the key in the lock.

      “Ellen.” He spoke her name softly and placed his hand on her shoulder.

      “I don’t know why we went out tonight.” Her voice was high and strained as she drew free of his touch. “We shouldn’t have been together.”

      In response, Reed mockingly lifted one eyebrow. “I believe it was you who asked me.”

      “Be serious, will you,” she snapped irritably and shoved open the door.

      Reed slammed it shut behind him and followed her into the kitchen. He set the pizza on the counter, then turned to face her. “What the hell do you mean? I was being serious.”

      “You shouldn’t have been with me tonight.”

      “Why not?”

      “Where’s Danielle? I’m not the one who’s been patiently waiting around for you. She is. You had no business taking me out to dinner and then suggesting a movie. You’re my landlord, not my boyfriend.”

      “Let’s get two things straight here. First, what’s between Danielle and me is none of your business. And second, you invited me out. Remember?”

      “But...it wasn’t like that and you know it.”

      “Besides, I thought you said you were far too old for boyfriends.” She detected an undertone of amusement in his voice.

      Confused, Ellen marched into the living room and immediately busied herself straightening magazines. Reed charged in after her, leaving the kitchen door swinging in his wake. Clutching a sofa pillow, she searched for some witty retort. Naturally, whenever she needed a clever comeback, her mind was a total blank.

      “You’re making a joke out of everything,” she told him, angry that her voice was shaking. “And I don’t like that. If you want to play games, do it with someone other than me.”

      “Ellen, listen—”

      The phone rang and she jerked her attention to the hallway.

      “I didn’t mean—” Reed paused and raked his fingers through his hair. The phone pealed a second time. “Go ahead and answer that.”

      She hurried away, relieved to interrupt this disturbing conversation. “Hello.” Her voice sounded breathless, as though she’d raced down the stairs.

      “Ellen? This is Charlie. I got a message that you phoned.”

      For one crazy instant, Ellen forgot why she’d wanted to talk to Charlie. “I phoned? Oh, right. Remember that algebra paper I was struggling with? Well, I got it back today.”

      “How’d you do?”

      A little of the surprised pleasure returned. “I still can’t believe it. I got a B-minus. My simple paper about the wonders of the number nine received one of the highest marks in the class. I’m still in shock.”

      Charlie’s delighted chuckle came over the wire. “This calls for a celebration. How about if we go out tomorrow night? Dinner, drinks, the works.”

      Ellen almost regretted the impulse to contact Charlie. She sincerely liked him, and she hated the thought of stringing him along or taking advantage of his attraction to her. “Nothing so elaborate. Chinese food and a movie would be great.”

      “You let me worry about that. Just be ready by seven.”

      “Charlie.”

      “No arguing. I’ll see you at seven.”

      By the time Ellen got off the phone, Reed was nowhere to be seen. Nor was he around the following afternoon. The boys didn’t comment and she couldn’t very well ask about him without arousing their suspicions. As it was, the less she mentioned Reed around them, the better. The boys had obviously read more into the letter, phone call and dinner than Reed had intended. But she couldn’t blame them; she’d read enough into it herself to be frightened by what was happening between them. He’d almost kissed her when he’d parked in front of the house. And she’d wanted him to—that was what disturbed her most. But if she allowed her