Return of the Dixie Deb Read Online Free PDF Page A

chest.
    Damn .
    “It caught me off guard seeing myself in that get-up. I about lost it.”
    He nodded. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to stop thinking and just lose himself in the feeling for the moment as they swayed.
    “Mac?”
    He opened his eyes and looked around. It seemed they were by themselves on the dance floor. The music had apparently stopped.
    “I’m okay now.” She managed what looked like a genuine smile. “Just a case of the heebie-jeebies, as my grandmother would have said.”
    “Well.” He cleared his throat. “I guess we better find Jake and get back to business. He’s probably wondering what happened to us.” He wiped his damp hands against his pants legs as he followed her back into the dining room.
    ****
    Mac turned off the television and tapped on the bathroom door. “How’s it going in there?”
    “Just a minute. All this takes time.”
    “I know, but we’re working on a schedule. The manager wants us in and gone while most of her staff is out for lunch.”
    “Yeah, well.” The bathroom door flew open, bouncing against the wall. Jan caught it with her free hand, using the other to clutch her hat and pearls. “You try to get these seams lined up right in a bathroom made for a munchkin. How do they look?” She steadied herself on the wall, slipping on her heels as she walked over to the dresser.
    He knew he was supposed to be checking her seams, but the long, slender legs emerging from the black-leather pumps pulled his eyes up to where the shiny, tight skirt hugged her rear.
    “Looks great.”
    “Had to be a man who invented seamed stockings.” She bent over to add her dangle earrings, survey herself in the mirror, and push her hair back, before she added her hat. “Can you fasten my pearls?”
    He took the necklace as she scooped her auburn hair up. He managed to open the delicate clasp and held his breath as his fingers brushed her damp hairline where a stray lock had escaped.
    She straightened and peered at herself again in the mirror.
    “I suppose you’re ready.”
    “Dark glasses and I’m good to go.” He gave a look around before he got the door for her.
    The early morning heat, damp with the scent of honeysuckle, rose to meet them. He had pulled in beside their unit the night before to help shield the car from passers-by. He cracked a window in the back as she got in.
    “I think these hose have already melted to my legs.” Jan fastened her seat belt and fanned herself with the map as he seated himself. “What was the Deb’s mystery man like? Anything like you?”
    “Silent Sam? Hard to say. She was the one stealing the spotlight. From the footage he was youngish, dark-haired. Probably half my size.” He checked his watch and turned the ignition. “It’s just on eleven. We should make it over there by noon without a problem.” He got a cell phone from his pocket and hit a number.
    “Jake, we’re ready to leave.” He paused to listen. “Yeah, I checked the room and it’s clean. Thirty minutes should get us into Cedar City. We’ll just drive around for a while. We’re fine, but I think we’ll both be glad when it’s over.” He glanced at her. “I’ll check back with you before we go in. Give us a warning if it’s not a go. Otherwise, we’ll proceed as planned. Sure.” He rang off and pocketed the phone.
    Another clear sunny day. On this side of the river, the land was flat, drainage ditches lining the road. They passed fields of cotton, swollen heads splitting to reveal the blossoming whiteness inside. A lone pick-up cruised around them. The lack of traffic was a good sign. It wouldn’t help to have people out and about when they were making their getaway. Cicadas kept up a steady drone from the banks of verdant greenness along the roadway. Summertime in the South she had called it.
    He glanced over to where she had taken off one of her shoes and was massaging her foot, nylon outlining her shapely leg.
    “Problem?”
    “Hm?”
    “Shoes