Hauling boxes was definitely going to be her workout for the week. Adina stared up at the one she'd saved for last. It was oddly shaped, and at the time she'd thought it perfect for her resource books, but now that she had to pull it from the top of the SUV, she was rethinking her position. She balanced one tiptoe on the curb and her other foot on the wheel of the Jeep and wriggled the edge of the box on the luggage rack so it was closer to the edge.
She maneuvered it a little bit at a time so that slowly one edge of the box worked its way toward her. The house was a cute little bungalow and she was glad for the opportunity to get away from the distractions of the City so she could finish her book. Her friend had tossed her the keys, go stay as long as you want, make yourself at home—oh hey there's a casino in town now! She didn't plan to gamble, but she was grateful the town wasn't as remote as she'd originally thought. The bungalow was on a quiet street but a few miles over was an honest-to-god Wal-Mart, so that meant it wasn't completely the sticks, right?
The edge of the box teetered over the side of the luggage rack at the same time a cramp pierced the arch of her foot on the curb. She let her attention waver from the box for a split second and she felt it shift under her fingers again. The thing was going to fall on her face, "Crap," she muttered, trying to get her weight under it to catch it, but her foot throbbed again, "oh…bad idea, bad idea, bad idea," the box shifted again and she knew it was going to slide right at her face, but she couldn't get out from under it fast enough, "—shit!"
"I got it!" Hands appeared from behind her, strong arms reaching around her to grab the edge of the box and keep it from her face. The person they were attached to moved so she could get out of the way and she limped from under him. He made a sound of exertion and hefted the thing down from the SUV.
"Thank you so much," Adina's attention was still on her foot, she was flexing it against the curb, but she turned to thank the person, "You saved me."
He grinned and she was struck by a pair of piercing brown eyes and a smile that was just this side of sinful. "You should be more careful."
"Would you believe that's not the first time I've heard that?" She laughed, "I'll take that from you, if you want." She made a move to take the box from him and he hefted it again.
"It's pretty awkward, you sure?" She took a split second to appreciate the way the muscles in his forearms moved.
"Yeah, I don't think it's that heavy, just awkward, right?"
"Did you get this up there yourself?" His tone was incredulous but he held it out to her and she wrapped her fingers around the box edge. She shook her head as he slowly let go and she stumbled under the weight. He lurched to take the box back from her.
"Okay it was not that heavy when I left Louisiana, I swear." Although in retrospect maybe that's why her neighbor had given her such a hard time when he was helping her tie her luggage to the luggage rack. The man smirked, but he didn't say anything. Adina sighed, "Would you mind terribly bringing it inside for me? I really appreciate this."
He jerked his head at the sidewalk, "Lead on."
Adina took a step toward the path and looked over her shoulder, "I'm Adina, by the way." She opened the garden gate and stepped out of the way as the man edged his way through.
He made a sound that could have been a grunt as they walked up the two steps to the porch. Adina opened the storm door for him and stood to the side so he could get by.
"You can just put that anywhere," she said, stepping around a suitcase. "Can I get you some water or something?"
"Water would be nice," he said, bending over to thunk the box on top of the empty coffee table. He straightened, taking in the disarray that was her borrowed living room. "I'm Mathias."
She grinned, reaching into the cooler at her feet she pulled out one of the last bottles of water from her trip-snack hoard. It dripped on the hardwood floor but she held it out to him anyway. "Well Mathias, aren't you just my big, brawny hero."
His laugh was big and infectious. He took a long drink from the bottle but his eyes didn't leave her. Amusement danced in them. Adina resisted the urge to fidget. "So you gonna tell me what was in that box?"
"Books," She sat down on top of the suitcase, "please sit," she gestured at the sofa.
"Books, huh?" His mouth slid into that smirk again and he sat down on top of the box of books he'd just put on the coffee table. "You almost die hauling a box of books from Louisiana?"
"Well that wasn't the original plan," she laughed a little and nudged a box with her toe. "They're resource materials. I'm working on a book."
"Oh yeah?" He made a point to take in the piles of boxes and the few suitcases. "Must be some book."
"What makes you say that?" Adina shifted on the suitcase, the handle was digging uncomfortably into her butt.
He laughed, "You're just a long way from home."
"Oh, that," she shrugged, "I was having a hard time focusing in New Orleans. This place belongs to a friend, she's renting it to me for a while."
"Ah," his look told her he was fully aware she was dodging. "I should go."
"Right," she jumped up, running a hand through her hair. "Thank you again."
"Sure," he stood up as well, "I couldn't very well stand by while a pretty girl was hurt, now could I?" He was close to her, his hand on the door knob. She was leaning against the door jamb. This close she realized he wasn't much taller than she was. Not like Alpha-male, Captain America tall. He dipped his head so he was looking her more fully in the eye, a corner of his mouth pulling into another smirk. "Me being a big, brawny hero and all."
Adina grinned, "You think I'm pretty?" His head jerked, the slight mocking tilt shifted for a split second and she laughed. "Let me cook you dinner," she found she was a little nervous about asking. Not that it was anything like a date. "To thank you, I mean," she floundered, "For saving me."
"Right now?"
She flinched, "No, sorry, I didn't mean right this second I mean it's only like three o'clock." Adina said a few four letter words in her head. She didn't used to be horrible at this.
Mathias laughed, "When were you thinking?"
"Uhm, tomorrow?" she shrugged, "Wednesday, maybe?"
"Wednesday's good," he reached past her for the storm door latch. "Say...seven?"
"Seven's good," Adina swallowed, a little embarrassed to realize her throat was dry. Jesus, it was like she'd never asked someone out before ever.
"Great, see you then," his gaze slide over her and she realized she was blushing. "Welcome to Wyoming."
The storm door snapped shut behind him and Adina stumbled to the coffee table. She sank down to sit on the box he'd brought in for her and reached blindly for his half-finished bottle of water. Her hand trembled as she brought it to her lips. What the hell was wrong with her.