When Justin made it back to the cabin that evening, he opened the envelope Larry had given him. With papers covering the coffee table, he was surprised to find a picture of a two-story house. He had envisioned a rambling ranch style until then, but the moment he laid eyes on the page from a magazine, he could envision the house set back in the pecan trees on the southwest corner of the ranch.
Larry had said that it needed to be about ten feet bigger on each side to accommodate the big closet and the huge walk-in pantry. It would also allow for a small nursery next to the first-level master bedroom, which could be turned into an office when the children were big enough to go upstairs. That would give the second-floor bedrooms a bathroom of their own and prevent future squabbling from the kids as well as provide privacy for guests.
Justin imagined the laughter of children running through the house, sliding down the banister, and begging him to read them “just one more” bedtime story. With that picture still in his mind, he got out his graph paper, sharpened a pencil, and began to work. It was almost midnight when he finally finished the rough draft for the first floor.
The next day was hectic at the ranch. Two more of his hired hands called in with the flu. By noon his energy level was dragging, and he was grateful for an hour to sit at the table with Levi, Cade, and Retta.
“You look like you’ve been pulled through a knothole backward. You know you can move back in here anytime. We’ve decided to make the guest room into the nursery, since it’s closer to our bedroom,” Retta said.
Justin helped himself to a healthy portion of meat loaf and then passed it on to Cade. “Thanks, but where I live isn’t the problem.”
“You’re not getting the flu are you?” Levi asked.
“Nope, just tired from being shorthanded. And I’ve got that drive out to the panhandle next week to buy that breeder bull. I’m not looking forward to it one bit,” he said.
Cade sent rolls and hash brown casserole around the table. “Spring break is coming up in two weeks. We can always put out the word that we need some help, and we’ll have high school boys standing in line to get a week’s paycheck from us.”
Levi nodded in agreement. “That should get us through flu season, and we’ll be right back on track. It’s like this every couple of years.”
“Remember when me and you got it at the same time the second year after we were out of high school?” Justin asked. “Cade didn’t even come home from college because he was afraid he’d get it.”
“Hey, that was my last year of school,” Cade said. “I wanted to get done with it all so I could come home for good, not just vacations and summers. I sure didn’t need the flu to keep me from getting finals done.”
“It always hits at calving season,” Levi said. “But we’ll get through it.”
Gloria entered the kitchen by the back door, hung up her jacket, and sat down beside Justin. “I heard you had a date with Emily last night.”
“Gossip travels faster than the speed of light.” Justin chuckled. “We had burgers. That doesn’t qualify as a date.”
“Well, what does making out in public qualify as?” Gloria asked.
“Two consenting adults sharing a good night kiss.” Justin’s expression went from amused to serious.
“I don’t like it, son,” Gloria said.
“Why, Mama?” Cade asked. “Emily seems like a responsible, kindhearted woman. She’s sure a far cry from what Justin usually goes out with.”
“I think under all that…” She paused and took a deep breath. “Sugar sweetness she’s got an ulterior motive, like marrying up in the world.”
“You think Emily is a gold digger?” Retta gasped. “Why? You didn’t think that about me.”
“You aren’t a big girl,” Justin said through clenched teeth. “Mama wants me to have a pretty blonde who barely comes to my shoulder.”
“I’m not that kind of woman,” Gloria argued. “It’s just, I feel like there’s more than she’s tellin’. Call it mother’s intuition.”
“So why don’t you invite Emily to lunch or for coffee some evening? Get to know her better. If you spent some time with her, you’d see her the way I do.”
“I just might do that. Are you taking her to the panhandle with you?” Gloria asked.
“No. She’ll be at work. I’m planning to leave on Monday and come back Tuesday.” Justin hadn’t ever seen his mother with this attitude, and he didn’t like it.
Gloria shrugged and changed the subject. “I guess we’re having dinner with Mavis and Skip, and those old folks on Sunday.”
Retta refilled tea glasses. “They sure livened this place up for a week. Mavis and I talked about it. We decided not to all get together for Sunday dinner. We thought it would be easier on Benjy not to have quite so many folks over at their place this first time that the group from the center is there. Kind of ease into it with Benjy, even though he knows all of us and them.”
Justin blocked out the rest of the conversation and thought about Sunday. Maybe it was because Emily wasn’t easy that made her so attractive to him. For more than fourteen years he’d been dating or chasing women, but he’d never known anyone quite like her.
What makes her so different? This time it was his grandfather’s voice in his head.
He couldn’t begin to answer the question because he had no idea, but he really, really liked spending time with her.
Emily took the red dress she’d worn to the Valentine’s party last year from the closet and hung it on the back of the bathroom door that Thursday morning. The hot shower would steam the wrinkles right out. Just before party time she’d rush into the lounge and change into it.
Cards were filled out and in the boxes. She mentally checked that job off her list.
The caterer had confirmed that she would be there ready to set up immediately after supper had been served. Emily only had to put a few touches on the table centerpieces. Another check.
And Justin is going to be there, she reminded herself as she towel dried her hair. A third check.
She was thinking of what she might be forgetting when she knocked her dress off the hook. It landed in a mass of red at her feet and there on the back of it was a big nasty green stain.
“Dammit! I should’ve taken it to the cleaners.” She remembered the incident the previous year. One of the little kids had left a sugar cookie with green icing on a chair and she’d sat down on it. There wasn’t another red outfit in her closet, so she would have to wear another color.
She dressed in scrubs, picked up her daily tote bag along with a kit that contained her shoes, makeup, and all the other necessities for the party. The minute she was in her car, she called Nikki and put it on speaker. She told her about the problem and said, “Now what am I going to do? I have red shoes, red lipstick, and everything but a dress. I don’t think all of this will look good with scrubs.”
“Not to worry. We’ve got time to fix this,” Nikki said. “We’ve got an hour at lunch. Let’s run into that fancy new shop down on Main Street. It’s not far from the center, so we can dash in and out in twenty minutes.”
“Oh, right!” Emily groaned. “I’m sure they’ve got all kinds of cute things in size four to maybe fourteen. But something in an eighteen?”
“Never know until we look, and besides I need to find a dress too. I’ve been studying so hard for this nursing test, I forgot all about needing a party outfit until this morning,” Nikki said.
“We can try, but I won’t hold my breath. I may have to tie a red bow in my hair and go in scrubs.” Emily parked in her reserved spot. “See you inside in a few minutes.”
The sun’s rays were warm that morning as she went from the car to the center. A robin hopped about, looking for worms in the grass under the oak trees. But that didn’t mean that spring was on the way. Not even in north central Texas, where it came earlier than it did up in the northern part of the country.
Emily didn’t like change and yet the world was in a constant cycle of just that. Seasons changed. Babies were born. Old folks died. That last thought caused a catch in her chest. She didn’t like thinking about her residents passing away. She’d had to endure a few funerals, and they’d been tough, but when any one of her precious Five passed on, she’d probably go to pieces.
Nikki met her at the door. “I called the new shop and they go all the way up to size twenty-four. She says she’ll pull everything in red for both of us, and have it in dressing rooms ready for when we get there.”
Emily stopped long enough to give her a hug. “You are the best. I owe you one.”
“I will collect.” Nikki pushed her medicine cart on down the hallway.
Emily’s job that morning was to make all the table centerpieces for the evening party. While she worked, her thoughts kept going back to the kisses that she and Justin had shared. Unlike the other guys she’d dated, he didn’t know that she came from one of the biggest ranches in Texas. So that couldn’t be the reason he was interested in her.
But why has he caught your attention? the voice in her head asked.
“Because he makes me happy,” she muttered.
Nikki poked her head in the door. “You ready to go. It’s noon.”
Emily’s eyes went to the clock on the wall and then to all the arrangements on the table. “How’d time go by so fast?”
“Looks to me like you were pretty busy. We’ve only got an hour. We’d better get goin’,” Nikki answered.
Larry grabbed her by the hand as she passed the Fab Five’s table in the dining room. “Is Justin coming tonight?”
“I think so,” Emily said. “But right now I’ve got to go. My dress is ruined, and I’m going to look for another one.”
Sarah leaned around Larry and said, “Buy something sexy as hell, something that will knock his eyes out.”
Luck was with them—they made every green traffic light and were in the dress shop in five minutes. The owner was waiting for them and led them right back to the two dressing rooms.
Emily was grateful that the space wasn’t cramped, and there was lots of cool air flowing from an overhead vent. She kicked off her shoes, threw her scrubs on a chair and stood before the three-way mirror in nothing but her panties and bra. She turned this way and then that. What would Justin’s expression tell her if he saw her like this? Or worse, yet, when she removed the double-D bra and stood before him naked?
“Am I ready for that step?” she asked her reflection.
“Are you talking to me?” Nikki asked in the adjoining room.
“No, myself,” Emily said, raising her voice.
She tried on the first dress and visualized Justin’s eyes when he saw her in it. She took it off and tried on the other two. None of them really suited her, but the last one had the simplest lines, and it matched shoes she already had.
“I found mine. How about you?” she called out to Nikki in the next room.
“Yep, first one I tried on. You still got yours on?” Nikki asked.
“Nope, I’m ready to check out,” Emily said.
“Me too. Let’s pay out of this joint and go get some ice cream,” Nikki suggested. “I’ve got some news, and I wanted to wait to share it until we were alone.”
They paid for their purchases, and Emily drove to the ice cream store just down the block. They ordered sandwiches and shakes and went back to the center. “We’ve still got fifteen minutes. Let’s eat out here. You said you have news. Got a new boyfriend?” Emily asked.
“I wish.” Nikki handed a sandwich to Emily. “But this is even better than a boyfriend. If I pass my nursing test the hospital is offering me an RN position as emergency room nurse. I’ll be working twenty-four hours on duty, then I’ll be off for twenty-four.”
“Oh, no!” Emily gasped.
“You don’t think I should take it? Is it the hours?” Nikki fired off the questions. “My salary will double, so I can get a decent car and a better apartment.”
“No, it’s a great job. It’s just that I’ll miss you so much. We hired on at the same time, and I get to see you every day.” Emily sighed.
“I’ll miss you too, but on my days off we can still grab supper at least once a week and catch up. And just think about the doctors.” Nikki’s eyes twinkled with excitement. “I might find us both one to date if things go south with your cowboy.”
Emily flashed on her reflection in that mirror and frowned. “I’m not so sure that things will ever go anywhere with Justin.”
“Yeah, right. What happens when you kiss him?” Nikki poked her on the arm. “He makes your toes curl up more than any other man ever has. When he comes around, you’re all flustered, and nothing or no one has ever flustered you like he does. So things are going somewhere, darlin’.” She dragged out the last word like a true cowboy would. “Take him to bed, and see if he’s any good.”
“Good Lord, woman!” Emily gasped, but her palms went clammy at the thought of seeing Justin naked. Heat started on the inside of her body and worked its way out, settling into two spots of high color in her cheeks.
“Aww, I made you blush, so I must’ve hit a nerve.” Nikki stuck straws in the two chocolate milk shakes. “That don’t hardly ever happen. I’ve never seen you so red. You really need ice cream to cool you down. Stop runnin’ from Justin, and let him catch you. If you don’t like what you see when he peels out of them tight-fittin’ jeans, then I’ll rustle us up a couple of young doctors.”
Emily put her hands on her hot cheeks. “You are terrible. You’re just sayin’ this stuff because you didn’t want to see me cry about you leavin’.”
“Nope, I meant every word,” Nikki said.
“Sure you did,” she said. “Do I get to be your maid of honor when you marry your sexy doctor?”
“Of course, and I don’t care if he’s sexy or not. I just want him to be rich,” Nikki declared.
“Not me. I want to be in love, like Claire and Levi are and like Cade and Retta.”
Nikki shook her head slowly. “Haven’t you heard? It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one.”
“What if fate puts your soul mate in your pathway, and he’s a poor old farmer barely makin’ it?” Emily asked.
“Then I’ll change my mind,” Nikki said. “After all it is a woman’s prerogative.”
Everything was ready for the party to begin. All that was left was for Emily and Nikki to rush into the bathroom and get dressed. Ten minutes didn’t give them time to do much with makeup, but Emily reapplied her lipstick. Then she shook her hair free of the ponytail and slipped into her dress.
“I like that one better than the one you wore last year, and would you look at this.” Nikki pulled Emily’s shoes from the tote bag. “They match. It was meant to be, just like you and Justin. You look like a model. Justin is going to drool all over his shirt.”
“Oh, yeah!” Emily said sarcastically. “And every guy’s eyeballs are going to bug out when they see you in that getup.”
Nikki wore a cute little red jumpsuit that she paired with silver high-heeled shoes. For the first time, Emily wished that she were a small girl, like Nikki—and Allison.
“Thank you, dawlin’.” Nikki bowed. “Now I’ve got to get on out of here. I haven’t had time to put my cards in the boxes yet. So I’ll see you out there.”
The moment Emily entered the room she gave it a quick scan to see if she could locate Justin, and she found him sitting at a table with the Five. Stepping back into the shadows, she stared as long as she wanted. The old folks were beaming because they had a guest. And he looked as if he was having a good time.
She stepped out of the shadows and stopped at each table to say a few words to the residents. Long before she reached Justin’s table, she could feel his eyes on her. Suddenly, it was very warm in the room, but at least the heat didn’t settle in her cheeks and melt her makeup.
“This is the best party ever,” Bess said when Emily arrived.
“Pull up a chair,” Otis said.
“I don’t have time. In three minutes I have to start the program,” she said.
“Well, before you have to leave, let me tell you that you sure do look pretty tonight.” Justin’s gaze caught hers and held for several seconds.
“Thank you.” She’d never been flustered behind the microphone, but that evening her hands shook as she walked toward it.
“Welcome, everyone,” she said.
No one paid a bit of attention. Few even looked her way.
“Welcome!” she said a second time after she remembered to flip the switch to turn on the microphone.
The room went quiet, and Justin winked.
“We want to thank all you relatives and friends who’ve come to help us celebrate Valentine’s Day this evening. We’ll have some music and refreshments in a few minutes but first we have a couple here in the center who’s been married seventy years. They’re going to tell us their story, so let’s give a big round of applause to April and Leonard Wilson.”
The clapping went on from the time the elderly couple left their group until they made it to the microphone, holding hands the whole way. Emily took a seat over to the side and tried to focus on them, but it was difficult when she wanted to stare at Justin. He looked downright sexy in those tight jeans and that black shirt with its pearl snaps. He was a good person to be spending his evening at a senior citizens’ party, especially when he could be at the Rusty Spur dancing with all the ladies.
With an effort, Emily turned her attention back to the couple at the microphone. Leonard was one of those tall, lanky men who always wore black dress slacks and white shirts buttoned all the way to the top. April had blue eyes set in a bed of wrinkles and short gray hair cut in a bob right below her chin.
Will I look like that when I’ve been married seventy years? Emily wondered. Do I want marriage and kids, or can I be content with what I have right now in a career and these sweet old folks to take care of?
“I’m not sure how to start this story, so I’ll just begin.” Leonard kept his wife’s hand in his. “I was in the second grade in a little tiny school just across the Red River into Oklahoma when I fell in love with April. She was in the first grade and she had the biggest bluest eyes I’d ever seen. But after that one school year, her family moved to Texas and I didn’t see her again until we were sixteen. I was friends with a boy who was dating her best friend, and he invited me to go to a birthday party with him. She was there, and I proposed to her before the night was over.”
April stepped up to the microphone. “We were dancing on the grass in our bare feet that evening, and I said yes, but that we’d have to wait until we were grown-ups. So Leonard would borrow his dad’s old truck and come see me on Sunday afternoons. At the end of that year, he graduated from high school and joined the air force, and he wanted me to marry him before he went off to his first duty station.”
Leonard kissed her on the top of the head. “She’d promised her parents she would finish high school. So I went through basic, and I qualified for flight school. I went into training and wrote to her every night for the next year.”
April patted him on the shoulder. “We got married in 1949 when I finished school, but he was still in training. We had a tiny apartment, and I went to work at the base store as a clerk. We thought we’d done died and gone to heaven. Leonard was going to make a career of the military and someday we were going to have children.”
He smiled and said, “Everything was going pretty good. We had two children and then Vietnam happened, and my plane was shot down in enemy territory. I spent two years as a POW.”
Emily dabbed a tear from her eye. She was a strong woman, but she wasn’t sure she’d survive something like that. Thank God, Justin was a rancher and not a soldier.
April shook her head slowly from side to side. “I never believed for a minute that he was dead. My heart would have known if he wasn’t alive. One day I was outside hanging up clothes, and a big black military-looking car drove up. For a minute there, my positive attitude took a nosedive, but my Leonard got out of the car and limped toward me.”
Leonard draped an arm around her shoulders. “She dropped the clothespins and froze. She didn’t rush to meet me like I’d imagined. I had to go all the way to her before she’d believe she wasn’t seeing things.”
“That’s right.” April smiled up at him. “And that was the end of his military. When he got his health back, he got a job in Dallas flying for an airline, and we had four more children. Many of them live in this area, so we chose this retirement home so we could spend our last days close to them.”
Emily wondered if she and whoever she married would be in a retirement home, close to their children when they were near ninety? Or would they still be living on a ranch somewhere?
A ranch? Her mother’s voice popped into her head. Well, that’s a surprise. What ranch might that be?
“I don’t know,” she whispered softly.
“We’ve had a wonderful life,” Leonard was saying when her attention went to what he was saying. “And now if Miz Emily will put on the song I asked for, I’d like to start this party off by dancing with my beautiful bride. The rest of y’all can join in if you’d like, or if you want the refreshment table is now open.”
Leonard took April by the hand and then turned back to the microphone. “One more thing. This song is the way I feel about my life. The hardships made us stronger and made us appreciate the good times even more. I love you more today, April Wilson, than I did in that little bitty apartment, which by the way, was even smaller than the one we have here at Oakview. Y’all listen to the words to this song because I’m sure it was written especially for me this night.”
There were a few chuckles, and tissue boxes passed from table to table as the first piano notes for “The Older I Get,” by Alan Jackson, started playing. The song was half done when Justin stood to his feet and crossed the floor. He held out his hand to Emily.
“May I have this dance, please, ma’am?” he asked.
She put her hand in his, and he led her to the middle of the floor. Everyone clapped for both couples. The present and the future right there on the floor—or at least that’s the way Emily saw it.
“Like it says,” Justin whispered into her hair. “It’s those folks you love, not the money and stuff that makes you rich.”
“And that’s supposed to mean?” she asked.
“You think about it,” he said.
The next song on the list was a request from Otis, and Justin didn’t let go of her but kept dancing to the beat of “Storms Never Last” by Jessi Colter and Waylon Jennings.
“This is my song to the beautiful lady in red tonight,” Justin said.
“Oh, yeah, why’s that?” she asked.
“You make the sun want to shine, like it says,” he said.
When the song ended, he led her to the refreshment table. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Is there any way I can help you out with the food?”
She shot a look over his shoulder to the Five. “You’re the first guest they’ve had at this thing in the five years I’ve been here. It’s more important that you spend the time with them.”
“Then I’ll be around to help with cleanup afterward.” He went to the table where he held out a hand to Sarah for the next dance. After that, he had a turn with Bess and Patsy. Then he got a plate of food and sat with them while he ate.
“He’s a good man,” Nikki whispered as she joined Emily behind the refreshment table. “Those ladies are almost swooning.”
“It would be easy to fall for him,” Emily said out of the side of her mouth.
“You almost fell down?” Otis frowned.
“No, she was talking about that time when she slipped and sent papers flying everywhere.” Nikki quickly covered for her.
“I’m glad.” Otis smiled. “You and Justin looked real good out there on the dance floor.” He leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “I think he likes you.”
“Oh, really?” Emily raised a dark eyebrow.
“Yep, and I think you like him too. But that’s your business, not mine. You do what your heart tells you and never look back or have regrets, because when you follow your heart, it’s the right thing to do. Now please put two of them brownies on my plate. I’ll take one to Sarah. She really likes them and she already ate hers.”
Emily did what he asked and then used the remote to turn the music down, since everyone had settled down to eat and visit with their families. In another hour there’d be nothing but cleanup, and then the folks would take their boxes of cards to their own apartments, where they’d read through their Valentines numerous times for the next few days.
She made the rounds one more time, telling the visitors how much she appreciated their support. When she reached the table where Justin was still sitting with the Five, she pulled up a chair and joined them.
“It’s a big success,” Larry said. “Best one ever.”
Sarah nudged him on the shoulder. “You’re a lucky dog that Justin was here to dance with me this year.”
“My hip has gotten worse since last year. Don’t think I could keep up with a sexy fox like you,” Larry teased.
“Your hip was fine when we were at the ranch, and you wanted to ride bulls,” Patsy said. “So don’t give us any of that crap. I oughta make you dance with me for lyin’.”
Larry cut his eyes around at her. “You’re too short to dance with me. You better get Otis out there. I’d be in the therapy room a month if I had to bend far enough to dance with you or Bess.”
Bess threw up both hands. “Hey, leave me out of this fight.”
“So are you going to stay up all night and read through your cards a dozen times?” Emily asked, changing the subject.
“I am,” Otis said. “I’m going to take a big plate of them leftover cookies and some of them pigs in a blanket to my room. I’m going to eat until I feel like a stuffed turkey and read through every one of them. I’ve always loved Valentine cards even when I was a little boy. I kept them until they were frayed and ugly and cried when Mama made me throw them away.”
“I still got a few hidden away that my wife gave me through the years. It’s one of the few things I kept when I sold my business,” Larry said. “I’ll read all my cards to her tonight. I hope there really are holes in the floor of heaven, and she can hear every word I say.”
“That’s so sweet,” Sarah said. “Makes me wish I’d married. Times like this, I wish that I’d had a family, but…”
“But what?” Patsy asked.
“But my soldier didn’t come home, and I’d given my heart to him. Just wasn’t ever able to get it back to give to another man,” Sarah answered. “But this ain’t a night to be melancholy. I’m ready to take all my Valentines to my room. Thank you for a beautiful party, Emily, and for the dance, Justin. I felt like a young woman again.”
“I can’t believe you said ain’t.” Patsy giggled.
“Y’all old rednecks has rubbed off on me.” Sarah laughed. “I bet I got more cards than any of you.”
“How much?” Larry’s eyes twinkled.
“Five bucks,” Sarah answered. “And I’ll even let an impartial party count for us. Y’all meet me in my room in five minutes. And don’t you dare stuff your box with those extras you have in your room.” She shook her finger under Larry’s nose.
“I’ll watch him,” Bess said.
“And I’ll keep an eye on Sarah for you, Larry, so she don’t slip in a few extras,” Otis said. “I’m ready. Are y’all?”
“Yep, but I got to get a hug from Justin first,” Sarah said. “Boy, you can’t ever know how much it means to us to have family here tonight.”
When he stood up, she hugged him tightly, then she stepped back. “Now you’ll have to bend down to hug these two.”
“No sacrifice at all.” Justin gave each of them a hug, and then shook hands with Otis and Larry. “I’ve had a great time this evening.”
“Will you come back next year?” Otis asked.
“If y’all invite me, I sure will,” Justin answered.
“That was so sweet,” Emily said after the Five had picked up their boxes and taken them down the hallway toward their rooms.
“What?” Justin asked.
“The way you became their family tonight,” she said.
“Everyone needs a family. I’m glad they let me into theirs,” he said. “Is it cleanup time?”
“It won’t take long.” Emily nodded. “I just put what few leftovers there are in containers and wad up the rest of the stuff in the tablecloth and toss it.”
“Then we have time for one more dance?” He held out a hand.
She let him pull her up. “My feet hurt. Mind if I kick off these high heels?”
“Not one bit. You can pretend you’re dancing on green grass in your bare feet,” he said.
Emily had no idea what was next up on the playlist she’d gotten from the residents for the evening’s music. But when “A Picture of Me Without You” started playing, Justin pulled her tighter into his arms.
“Great choice to close out the evening,” he said.
She laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m surprised that you know all these old tunes.”
“My grandpa was a huge country music fan. He kept it going on the radio from daylight to bedtime. I’ve heard the songs that were played tonight my whole life. How about you?”
“Same story, different part of Texas.”
She wished the music would’ve gone on until morning, but in less than four minutes it was over. Justin planted a kiss on her forehead, and then took a step back. “Let’s get this place in order. Where’s the dust mop. I’ll take care of the floor while you do the table business.”
“The morning maintenance crew will take care of the floor. We just have to do the tables and be sure everyone picked up their cards. Looks like they did. Even Nikki’s is gone, so I guess she’s left for the night.”
“There’s a box left on the table, and it’s got your name on it.”
“I wish we’d had one for each guest. It doesn’t seem fair that I’ve got a whole box of cards and you don’t have even one,” she said.
“Dancing with you means more than six boxes of cards,” he said.
They finished the job quickly and she said, “I have to get my things. Meet you back here in five?”
“I’ll be the one in the cowboy boots sitting in that chair.” He pointed to the one still by the door.
“Grab my valentines,” she said.
“Will do.” He nodded.
She shoved everything into her tote bag and found him holding the box and her shoes in his lap when she returned. “Guess you’d better put these on, right?”
She felt like Cinderella when he knelt in front of her and slipped them on her feet.
“Now, where do you want to go for coffee?”
“The ice cream store makes good coffee,” she suggested.
He rose to his feet and took her hand. “Then that’s where we’ll go. Tonight was special. I enjoyed all of it, but especially spending time with you.”
“Well, you sure made the Fab Five’s night—and mine,” she said as they made their way across the parking lot to his truck.
He opened the door for her and leaned in once she was inside. He traced her jaw with his forefinger, and then his mouth covered hers in a long, lingering kiss.
Emily was glad she was sitting because her knees trembled. She just hoped that they would recover enough to walk in the high heels from the truck to the store.
“And I’ll need one more of those when I bring you back for your car,” he said. “Just to see if I like your kisses better with or without the taste of coffee.”
Every hormone in Emily’s body hummed. This was either the start of something wonderful or else she was going to get her heart broken, but like Nikki said, she either had to kill it or cure it to get any peace.