Dipping In A Toe (5 page)
The corner of his mouth quirked and he shook his head. “Heather’s always ragging on me to listen to other people’s opinions. I have to agree she was right…again. That won’t happen the next time.”
So he wants a next time?
As relief relaxed my muscles, I whooshed out a breath. “I’m so glad I haven’t scared you away.”
“Nah, I’m tougher than that.” In a single step, he moved to stand next to me, pulling our clasped hands against his thigh. “And when it’s required, I know how to go slow.”
The kids were still searching for their special pumpkins in the patch. I spotted Sadie squatting a few rows over. A tall guy wearing a football jersey pointed at different pumpkins.
A faint cool breeze brushed my cheeks and insects buzzing nearby played at the edge of my awareness. Mostly, I was aware of a building anticipation over a potential relationship. At this moment, my worries over our age differences didn’t seem that important. What were four or five years as long as the people involved didn’t care?
Unwilling to toss away what might be, I turned and squeezed our clasped hands. “Rick, come over tomorrow night and help the kids carve their jack-o-lanterns.”
“Love to.” With a wink, he leaned close and brushed a warm kiss on my cheek. “Now, who’s bossing whom?”
My skin heated and tickled where the bristly goatee touched. A jolt went through my chest, speeding my heart beat. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen with a real kiss.
The next night, the only two surprises were how many selections of ice cream Rick brought for dessert and the cuddly plush dolphin he’d chosen from the Pizza Palace’s prize counter. I vowed right then and there to hang onto a guy sentimental enough to choose a perfect reminder about how we first met.
As I watched him joking and teasing with Adam and Sadie, I saw the kids had the right idea. The time had come to move on, and Rick Grant was the one I wanted along for that unpredictable but rewarding journey.
A word about the author...
After years spent in the administrative support field, Linda decided to exercise another part of her brain and write a novel. She loved reading romance and figured that's what she'd write. Easier said than done. After years of workshops and RWA chapter meetings, she finally saw her manuscripts place in contests. Twelve years after her first writing class, she sold a confession story. From that point on, she couldn't be stopped and is always pleased when her sweet contemporary and historical stories find homes.
With interests as widespread as baking, crocheting, watching dog agility matches, and reading thrillers by Swedish authors, Linda is the mother to 4 adult children and grandmother to 2 granddaughters. She currently lives in the southern California mountains with her husband of almost 34 years and their two spoiled dogs.
Other Linda Carroll-Bradd titles available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.:
A LEGEND OF IRELAND
DREAMS OF GOLD
LONE STAR ANGEL
ON WITH THE SHOW
ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT
STEPPING OUT OF LINE
TEN FANTASY WISHES
BUSINESS IS BLOOMING
(free read)
ONE MORE TIME
(free read)
www.lindacarroll-bradd.com
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