Return to Silver Creek: Not Interested

April hastily adjusted her clothes, trying to regain her composure while Tucker was in the bathroom. She’d never done anything like this before. This wasn’t who she was. The moment his lips met hers, she’d lost all control. All she could think about was her desire for him.

“Damn,” she muttered, raking her fingers through her hair.

She didn’t need him; she couldn’t afford to need him. This couldn’t go any further. The last thing she wanted was another man thinking he could control her, do whatever he pleased. When she’d left her husband, she’d vowed never to be anyone’s doormat again.

“That was…” Tucker began, chuckling as he reentered the room. His smile faded quickly when he saw her. “Are you okay?”

April forced a smile, reminding herself to act nonchalant. She had to make this seem normal for her. Mentally, she decided that wearing skirts around this man was a bad idea. She needed jeans that would keep her underwear securely in place.

“Yeah, that was great. Thank you,” she said, pulling her cardigan back on.

“April?” Tucker asked, seeming to sense her panic.

“Yeah?” Her voice cracked on the word, and she frowned, biting her bottom lip.

Tucker raised an eyebrow and walked over, placing his hands on her arms. He gently ran his hands up and down her biceps, and she slowly relaxed. She knew he wasn’t buying her act, and decided it wasn’t worth it. She chose to be honest with him instead.

“I don’t do this,” she admitted, laughing nervously.

“Thank God,” Tucker grinned at her obvious confusion. “That makes two of us.”

She smirked, then bit her lip. After a moment, she shrugged out of his grasp and turned to pick up her purse and phone from the floor. She winced at the sight of the scattered papers.

“I’ll clean that up. I’m the one who knocked them over,” Tucker offered, smirking.

“I…” She hesitated, taking a shaky breath. “I have to go.”

“Wait,” Tucker said, grabbing her arm as she headed for the door. “You haven’t eaten all day. I know I’m doing this a little out of order, but let me take you to dinner.”

“No,” April turned, but he stopped her again.

“Okay, another night then?” Tucker asked, frowning slightly.

“I’m not interested, Mr. Davis,” April retorted, pulling her arm away and rushing out the door.

Tucker wondered if he’d misread the signs, but quickly decided she had clearly wanted him as much as he’d wanted her. Had he done something wrong? Had he hurt her? He didn’t think so; she’d seemed completely satisfied when he’d left for the bathroom.

He sighed, squatting down to pick up the scattered papers. Finally, he decided that maybe she’d just panicked or felt awkward and wanted to leave. He hoped she’d come around by work the next day. He wasn’t sure he could pretend nothing had happened between them.

***

To Tucker’s disappointment, pretending was exactly what April did. The next two weeks passed with almost no communication between them. At first, he was hurt, but that quickly turned to anger. After his frustration faded, he was left with a stubborn determination.

He saw what she tried to hide. The way she bit her lip and her breath hitched when he entered a room. The attraction between them was undeniable, and he wasn’t the only one who noticed.

“So, are you and the new girl an item?” Natalie asked, smiling.

“Her name is April, not ‘new girl,’” Tucker corrected.

“Ooo, someone’s defensive,” she chuckled, popping her gum.

“No, we’re not. She’s not interested,” Tucker shrugged, still trying to convince himself of that.

Natalie nearly choked on her gum. “Yeah, right. She undresses you with her eyes every time you turn around. It’s painfully obvious.”

“Really?” Tucker asked.

“She’s right, though that’s a rather crude way of saying it,” Bethany interjected as she approached.

“Tucker!” Cara called from his sister’s hip.

“Hey, Cara girl!” Tucker exclaimed, lifting the two-year-old from her mother’s hip.

Cara squealed in delight as Tucker spun her in a quick circle over his head. Her blonde curls and baby blue eyes reminded Tucker of her father, and birth mother. Bethany was now engaged to Daniel, who had lost his first love during childbirth.

“How are you, princess?” Tucker asked.

Tucker began nodding and making affirmative sounds as the child started to babble. Natalie smiled awkwardly and turned to walk away. She didn’t like being around kids unless she had to. The younger they were, the more awkward she felt.

“She’s watching you,” Bethany noted, drawing Tucker’s attention.

He kept his eyes on Cara as he cooed. “Oh, yeah?”

“Oh, yeah,” Bethany drew out the word and chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile so big.”

“I don’t understand why she won’t even talk to me,” Tucker sighed, turning to his sister.

“I don’t know,” Bethany frowned. “Maybe you should move on. I don’t like seeing you hurt.”

“No. I’m confused, but I’m going to figure her out,” Tucker smiled, wrapping his arm around his sister. “Danny never gave up on you.”

Bethany chuckled, her cheeks flushing. “Thank God.”

“So, what brings two of my favorite ladies here?” Tucker asked.

Bethany winced. “April asked me to come in.”

“Oh good, you’re both here,” April said, approaching with a small smile that widened when she saw Cara. “Hey there. What’s your name?”

“Rara,” Cara said proudly.

“Cara,” Bethany translated, chuckling.

“Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Cara. Are you going to be joining our meeting?” April asked.

The little girl nodded, clapping her hands in excitement. Tucker couldn’t take his eyes off April as she made friends with his niece. He knew he had a stupid grin spreading across his face.

“Yeah, sorry. The daycare is short staffed. Since Tucker won’t need me here as much, I actually applied there as well,” Bethany explained.

“Oh, well if neither of you mind, I found something I think you both really need to know about.”