An Irresistible Impulse by Barbara Delinsky Read Free Book Online

ideal for recreation. Here there was no fear of contamination from the public. Not once did she catch sight or sound of civilization. There was only the rhythmic slap of running shoe against pavement, the occasional sound of breathing, and, most delightfully, the morning sounds of the woodlands on either side.
    Confident of her ability to run a six-minute mile, Abby used her watch as a measure of distance. Brian kept several paces ahead, seeming to know just which way to take at a crossroads, leading them in a general figure-eight pattern that was nearly the mile itself.
    The sky grew lighter with the birth of the day just as Abby grew increasingly awake and aware of what that day would bring.One part of her would have been very happy to burrow in a mossy nook in the forest and then rejoin the runners at the same point tomorrow. But that was the coward speaking, she chided, knowing that her better part was filled with a subtle excitement.
    And then, of course, there was the knowledge of Benjamin Wyeth pacing himself a distance behind. As the mile count rose from three to four, then to five, she grew increasingly distracted by that thought. Pride kept her from looking back; indeed, from the competitive angle, she was pleased to stay ahead. If only he weren’t looking at her all the time.
    As though summoned by her thoughts, Ben moved forward. “Not bad…for a girl,” he quipped, falling into stride beside her.
    Abby caught her breath and looked sharply up, prepared for battle. But his smile was so sincere that her flare of indignation fizzled. Contriving a frown, she simply shook her head in exasperation. If the truth were known, her usual limit was the rapidly approaching six-mile point. It occurred to her that she might soon be out of her league. Best she should concentrate on holding her pace steady.
    But Ben’s concentration was more inclusive. “Does your fiancé ever run with you?” he asked with nonchalance.
    So much for steadiness, she mused as herpulse raced faster. Had that been on his mind all night…or was it an innocent question? A quick glance at his expression failed to enlighten her.
    “Nope.”
    They ran a little farther.
    “You told me there was no one.”
    She waited until they’d crested a small rise. “There isn’t.”
    Had she looked at him then, she might have seen him nod at the logic of it all. She had to wait somewhat longer for his verbal response.
    “What’s a fiancé?”
    With a will to revenge the disquieting fact that he’d had free scrutiny of her for the past forty minutes, Abby ran on some before answering.
    “In this case,” she spoke between breaths, “it’s a man who insists on making a pest of himself.”
    “Ahhhhhh…” He saw the light.
    Simultaneously, the inn loomed ahead. The runners slowed gradually before reaching the front steps, each seeking his own walkaround, letting his legs readjust to a more natural pace. Coming to a full stop at last, Abby grasped the sturdy wood railing and stood for a minute to catch her breath. Then she pulled the wool cap from her head, thrust both hands through her damp hair tocomb it back over her shoulders, and sat down to cool off before going inside.
    Ben promptly slid down against the opposite railing and watched as first Brian then Ray excused themselves and disappeared. Then he straightened one leg, bent the other at the knee and leaned back.
    “You’re not engaged,” he stated, looking at her askance.
    “Nope.” Angling forward at the waist, she grasped her calves and carefully flexed the sensitive muscles of her lower back. Her face was buried against her knees so that she was unaware of movement until she felt a pair of hands on her back. Then she jumped in alarm.
    “No,” he gently pushed her down again, “Hold still. Let me see if I can do something about that stiffness.”
    “How did you know it was stiff?” she asked, but her voice was muffled against her running suit.
    “That little move a second ago. You