He was an extremely handsome man. The first thing she noticed was the wavy black hair that curled behind his ears. A pleasing smile softened the firm line of his jaw. She could make out muscled shoulders and a narrow waist from beneath a faded blue T-shirt and running shorts. He was dressed to hit the track running. She gave herself a mental shake. Geri forced herself to focus on what the man had said.

"Yes, thank you," she stammered. "The wind came up all of a sudden and sent everything flying."

He bent down beside her. "I don’t mind the wind as long as it doesn’t bring in any rain. It rained last year and cut down the turnout."

She turned her head and looked at him. How could she have missed seeing him last year. He wasn’t a man that would go unnoticed, even in a crowd.

"Did you participate in the relay last year?"

"Yeah." He rubbed several of the papers over his chest. "This is my third year."

"This is my first time walking. I usually volunteer at registration or at the concession stand." She shuffled the moist papers she had collected over her lap. "Did you just get here or are you taking off?"

The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. "No. I just arrived."

A warm glow went through Geri as he continued to grin at her. His dark brown eyes roamed over her face. She felt a soft flutter in the pit of her stomach. She took a slow deep breath to tap down the sudden giddy feeling traveling up her torso towards her head. Her response to this man was ridiculous.

"Looks like you got them all," Jill called from the table.

Jill’s voice broke the spell and brought Geri back from her musings. "Thanks." She stood up and brushed several strips of grass that had attached to her knees. "I appreciate the help."

"No problem." He stood and handed her a neat pile of dew softened brochures. His hand brushed hers, taking his time releasing the materials. "Glad I could help."

The top of her head barely reached his chin. She had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "I guess I’ll see you on the track."

"I guess so," he said smoothly.

He stared down at her for the briefest moment then directed a quick nod toward Jill. Without another word, he turned and walked to the entrance of the track. Geri watched him until his Nike’s touched the pavement. He took off running at a moderate pace.

Jill hurried away from the table with anxious excitement. "Who is that guy? she asked lightly. "He’s cute."

Geri swung around to find the inquisitive college student gaping over her shoulder. She knew without looking that her attention was fixed on the tall man with appealing brown eyes. "I don’t know."

"I wish he’d registered at my table."

Geri stole a glance at the field. He was just reaching the first curve in the track. "He said he’s run in the relay for the last three years. I’m surprised I’ve never seen him before."

"These things draw so many people." She reached out and took the brochures from Geri. "I can tell you one thing," smiling wickedly, "that’s one guy I wouldn’t mind getting to know."

Geri chuckled inwardly for her own reactions to the man. The mere touch of his hand had made her heart beat a little faster. She had always prided herself on keeping a cool head when it came to matters of the heart. After today, she wondered if she could risk her heart again.

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