I lifted my face and involuntarily licked my lips. Without missing a beat, Jaxson brought my face to his. The kiss intensified. I needed to be closer. In one swift movement, Jaxson flipped me on my back and hovered over me on the couch leaving me breathless. A vibration sounded from his pocket. “That’s Dad. They’re on their way back.”
It was too soon for my time to be over with Jaxson, but I understood. He kissed me hard once more before his piercing green eyes watched me. “I want to take you on a date as soon as I can get a sitter for Ty.”
“We could go to a park or ice cream parlor altogether?”
Feeling his lips against mine told me he liked the idea. The cell phone rang and I heard a regrettable groan. My core ached for more, but it was too soon. Slow. Slow. Slow. We needed that. There was still so much we needed to learn. And our attraction was catapulting us fast down the relationship road.
Fishing the phone out his pocket, Jaxson answered. “Hey. Yeah, that’s fine.” He chuckled. “Okay.”
“What are you going to tell your parents?”
“That I got a second chance.”
We smiled at each other. This was happening. This wasn’t a dream. Beeping from the keypad was the cue for Jaxson to stand. I righted myself as Ty entered. “London, you missed feeding the baby sheep. It was awesome.” He crashed into me.
Instinctively, my arms wrapped around him as Jaxson watched. “It sounds like it, little man. We’ll have to go again sometime.”
Ruffling his hair, Jaxson said, “We’ll take her, buddy. We need to get you home and in bed.”
“Aw, Dad. I want to stay here.”
“Not tonight. We’ll see London bright and early tomorrow.”
Arms came around my neck. “Night, London.”
“Night, Ty.”
As they left, Jaxson looked over his shoulder and blew me a kiss. I caught it and returned the gesture before he walked out the door. My heart melted into a pile of goo. I hoped I kept this one piece of happiness I found.
AT THE TABLE IN THE kitchen, I ate granola and cereal. The silence comforted me as I processed what happened with Jaxson last night. Ty would be arriving in about two hours for me to watch until Jaxson was done with his rounds at the barn. Jaxson had controlling interest in the therapeutic part of the business while Levi controlled the McCole Classic. Both seemed to be lucrative business operations.
Even though it was Saturday, and my day off, I’d offered last night via text to help Pam since she needed to run a few errands in town. Originally, she was to watch Ty today. Glancing at the clock, I figured there was enough time for a run in the fresh country air. With my constantly changing schedule, it was hard to always fit a run in. Especially since today was my first day off since arriving.
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Staying busy kept me focused and not dwelling on what couldn’t be changed.
Since being released, I could see a difference in my body from eating better and being able to exercise more. I loved it. Hopefully soon I would have time to dance again.
Mid-bite of granola, a knock sounded. Around the food I tried to yell, “Just a second.”
It was too early to have anyone here unless there was a problem. Quickly, I wiped my mouth and headed to the door. The early-morning angle of the sun blinded me for a second before I was able to focus. Two figures before me held a bouquet of wildflowers. I gasped as my hand gravitated toward my mouth.
“Dad says you bring a girl flowers when you like her. We like you, London.” Ty thrust the wildflowers at me and I smiled. “Do you like us?” Before I had the chance to answer, he looked up to his father. “Dad what do girls bring guys they like?”
His green eyes pierced mine and those familiar butterflies returned. I had it bad for this man. “They give us their love.”
My heart exploded. I’d never been romanced before. Of course, I went on dates, but Charles and I dated for so long we were complacent. Kneeling, I took the bouquet from Ty with his eyebrows puckered. I gave him a hug. “Thank you for the flowers.”
The sweet delicious smell permeated the air. I loved wildflowers. They were perfectly imperfect with their beauty.
Tiny fingers motioned for me to come closer for a secret. In a loud whisper, he responded. “It’s okay if you want to give me more than love. Like a super hero or something.”
I busted out laughing as Jaxson ruffled his hair. “One day you’ll understand, buddy. One day love is all you’ll want.”
Knocking his father’s hands away, Ty gave him a you-are-crazy look.
The wooden screen door of the main house creaked open. Pam called from the back porch. “Ty, we need to get going.”