Grace: A Christmas Sisters of the Heart Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray Page A

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Chapter 10
     
    December 22, 8:00 A.M.
    It had taken almost twenty-four hours to get a rental car. But just as soon as Leah had received the vehicle and signed the papers, the second half of the storm arrived. Fresh snow and an ice storm pummeled the area, causing yet another stream of accidents on I-71.
    She knew because Zack had asked her out for breakfast at the hotel restaurant and told her all about the traffic reports. “Of course, it’s up to you,” he said, his expression earnest. “But if you can spare the time at all, I’d suggest you stay another day, just to be on the safe side.”
    Leah’s stomach clenched at even the thought of waiting another two hours. “The accidents are really that bad?”
    “Everyone who’s reported in said there are cars spinningoff the road left and right. And, well, there’re parts of the corridor from Louisville to Cincinnati that are notoriously bad. Every time there’s ice, we can bank on accidents. I would hate for anything to happen to you.” After meeting her gaze for a moment, he looked back at his plate, suddenly shy. “Of course, it’s your call. I’m just sayin’ …”
    “That me and my rental car might have a time of it,” Leah finished with a smile.
    Of course, she couldn’t help but smile at a lot of things about Officer Zack Littleton. First of all, he was fla-out handsome. Today, he wore jeans, a flannel shirt, and Timberlands. He looked more his age and less imposing than in his uniform.
    The light of day also illuminated his square jaw and hazel-colored eyes. And his dark blond hair. He really was cute.
    Leah knew she should have been cursing her luck, and be out of sorts. She knew she should be feeling more frustrated than ever. After all, so far nothing had gone right on the trip. But even though she did feel some of that, she also was feeling a little bit lucky.
    Something about Zack felt right. Really right.
    “Do you do this often?” she blurted. “Do you have breakfast with people you meet while working?”
    He looked horrified. “Never.”
    “Then, why me?” She hated to be so forward, but she wanted to know.
    To her amazement, a faint sheen of red stained his cheeks. “Because I think you’re pretty,” he mumbled. “And because I thought you were easy to talk to. And … I don’tknow. I thought there was something that clicked between us.” He closed his eyes for a second. “Wow. I sound really cheesy.” Tossing his paper napkin on the table, he looked ready to bolt. “Would you like me to leave? Am I making you uncomfortable?”
    To her surprise, his awkwardness made her feel even more at ease. “No. I mean, no, you don’t. And thank you for the compliment.”
    “Is it a compliment if it’s true? You are really pretty. Nice, too.”
    “Thank you. I think you’re nice, too.”
    “Are you dating anyone?”
    “No. You?”
    “No. So, since it’s snowing, and the roads are icy, and since I have the day off, will you wait until tomorrow to leave?”
    It was almost like he was asking her out on a date. But she’d been burned before. Did he want more from her than she was willing to give? “Zack, what’s going on?”
    “What do you mean?”
    She didn’t appreciate it that he was playing dumb. “Come on, please tell me the truth. Why are you going out of your way for me? Why are you being so nice?”
    A flicker of doubt—and hurt?—appeared in his gaze. “I don’t have an agenda, Leah. I promise you that. Fact is, I just want to see you some more.”
    Relief made her knees weak, but valiantly, she hardened her heart. If she’d ever learned anything in her twenty years, it was to be careful. Especially with her heart.
    Carefully putting on the brakes before things sped upbetween them, she said, “You know, we don’t know each other at all.”
    “I’m a police officer.”
    The way he puffed up his chest when he said that, so full of righteous indignation, made her smile. “And I work at a coffeehouse. But