The Man Upstairs

“I love to read.”

“Good. That’s an elementary school in St. Paul. The kids there love reading. The Cougars have set up a program that encourages them to read as many books as they can. Once a month we visit the school, read a few stories to them and then talk about books they’ve read—you know, what they liked and didn’t like, that sort of thing.”

“And where do I fit into this picture?”

“You’re going to be a part of the program. They love having adults read to them.”

“I’m sure they love having famous hockey players read to them,” she corrected.

“Listen, some of these kids don’t even have a clue what I do for a living,” he pointed out, then added with a wry grin, “so you won’t feel out of place.”

Oh, yes, she would. Just being around him was enough to make her feel as if she were way out of her league.

“It’s a great program and not a bad way to spend a morning,” he went on. “And you’re lucky because the next visit isn’t until the twenty-fifth so you have a couple of weeks to prepare.”

“Prepare?”

“To see me again,” he said with a sexy grin.

Yes, it was getting to the point that she did need an advance warning as to when that grin was going to be flashed her way. She only wished she were immune to its power. It was sheer craziness to fall for that kind of charm, especially since he was a man whose life was in the public spotlight. She already had a list of bad choices she’d made when it came to men. There was no point in adding another name to it. And she wasn’t naive enough to think that he was asking her to do the reading program because they were short on volunteers.

“I’d love to help the kids, but I really haven’t been at my job long enough to be asking for time off,” she suggested, knowing it would be wise to keep their relationship on a professional level.

“You want me to ask Greg for the green light on this one?” He nodded toward the art director, who was still on the ice.

She shook her head. “No, please don’t. Maybe I could donate some books.”

“I’m not asking for books, Dena. I’m asking for your time. We made a deal, remember?” There was a challenge in his eyes, and she had a feeling it had nothing to do with books and reading.

Just then her boss called out to her.

“Can I count on you to be there?” Quinn wanted to know.

She looked at the date and address of the school one more time, then shoved the slip of paper into her coat pocket. “All right, I’ll be there. I’d better go. We’ll be in touch,” she told him, then hurried back to the Delaney van.

ALTHOUGH DENA KNEW she could be quite happy without a man in her life, she had to admit there were times when having one around did come in handy. Bringing a new computer home was one of those times. At the electronics store, she’d had help loading the boxes into her car. Now, parked behind 14 Valentine Place, she knew it was going to be a challenge to get them into her second-floor apartment.

Her only option was to take them one at a time. She bent to get the largest box, wrapping her arms around its width. With a grunt she straightened, only to find Quinn at her side. He’d left his jacket indoors and had come outside wearing a gray University of Minnesota sweatshirt and a pair of jeans.

“Let me help you with that,” he said, relieving her of the burden.

Grateful for the offer, she mumbled a thank-you, then bent to pick up a smaller carton.

“I can take another one,” he said, nodding toward the remaining box in the car.

Of course he could. He was a big guy. She set a slightly smaller box on top of the one already in his hands, which left only a small bag of accessories for her to pick up. She reached for it, then closed the trunk.

He followed her up the stairs to the second floor where she unlocked the door and let him in. Most men would have been breathing heavily if they’d carried such a load. He looked as if he’d carried a loaf of bread.

“Any particular place I should set these?” he asked, making a quick survey of the room.

“The floor is fine,” she said, gesturing with her arm.

“Anything else I can do for you?” His look intimated that his offer wasn’t limited to hauling boxes up the stairs.

“No, that should do it. Thanks for your help,” she said, noticing the way he took in the contents of her room.

“You’re welcome. It’s important for neighbors to help one another out, don’t you think?”

“Yes,” she agreed. “I’d offer you something to drink but I only have mineral water.”

“Mineral water is fine,” he told her, stepping farther into the room.

She had a small portable refrigerator in which she stored just enough things so that she didn’t have to use the main kitchen on the first floor. She pulled a plastic bottle from it and handed it to him.

“Thanks.” He unscrewed the cap and took a drink, then said, “This place sure has changed since the last time I was here. I suppose you know that before Leonie remodeled the house, this floor had boys’ bedrooms on it.”

“I did hear something about that,” she said, aware of his scrutiny of her things.

“I can tell you one thing, it was never this neat.”

Dena was glad she’d straightened the place before she’d left for the mall.

He moved over to her desk and leaned closer to peer at the models on her shelf. “These are cool. Did you do them?”

She nodded. “I’m working on packaging for soy nuts.”

He wrinkled his nose slightly. “Soy nuts?”

She reached for a small covered dish and removed the lid. “Try some.”

He held up his hand and shook his head. “No, thanks. I tried soy milk once and that was enough of an introduction to soy for me.”

She shrugged. “These are actually pretty good. They come in flavors like honey roasted, barbecue…”

Her words didn’t convince him to give them a try. “You do most of your work on a computer?”

Again she nodded. “Most of it.”

“Is that why you bought the new system? So you could bring work home?”

“Yes. Plus I also freelance. Brochures, business cards…that sort of thing.” When it became apparent he wasn’t in any hurry to leave, she said, “You probably have stuff you want to do. Please don’t let me keep you from it.”

“Not tonight. It’s why I was in Leonie’s kitchen when you pulled into the driveway.” Again there was no mistaking the interest in his eyes. She’d seen it the afternoon they’d had lunch and again at the photo shoot.

“Lucky for me. I’m not sure how I would have gotten that box up those stairs without help.” She nodded toward the computer cartons.

“It wasn’t luck. I was waiting for you to come home. I’d already tried knocking on your door so I went downstairs to see if Leonie knew where you were.” He moved closer to her and she caught the fresh scent of soap.