Page 81 of The Party Line

“Compared to that, we had a very good service,” I chuckled.

“Then Grandpa had heard that neither of the two new cafés had chicken and dressing or even chicken-fried steaks on the menu. We stopped at the Dairy Queen, but it was jam-packed, so we ended up driving up to San Antonio for lunch,” he said. “I would have gladly had a bologna sandwich or a can of soup with you rather than the steak that took forever to cook and bring to our table.”

I reached up and patted his cheek. “Poor baby. Did this day just plumb test the Jesus in you?”

“It sure did, but I’m here now, and being with you makes me happy.” He leaned over and kissed me.

“Sweet tea sure tastes better when mixed with a kiss than it does when it’s coming out of the glass,” I told him.

“I’m not so sure about that,” he said as he leaned in for another.

I was practically panting when the kiss ended. A whole gallon of sweet tea wouldn’t be able to cool me down. “Well?”

“Still not sure.” He picked me up like I was no heavier than a snowflake and set me on his lap. “Let’s give it one more try.”

Fifteen minutes later, I wiggled free of his embrace, set the tea on the porch, took him by the hand, and led him inside. “Slow just stopped,” I whispered.

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“I know we said we were going to take it slow, but ...” I started up the stairs and had only made it to the second step when he scooped me up and carried me to the top.

“Which room is yours?” he asked.

I pointed to the open door. “I have to give Jasper his medicine at nine.”

“That gives us three hours,” he whispered, “and then the rest of the night to make up for the time you are gone.”

“I like that idea.” I closed the door with my foot as we went inside.

Chapter Twenty-Three

You could stay the night,” I suggested at nine o’clock when I made my weak knees get up out of the bed and get dressed.

“We’re taking things slow, remember?” Connor teased as he jerked on his jeans. “We’ll take the sleep-over step on down the road, but tonight was amazing, Lila.” He circled around the bed and kissed me.

“Yes, it was,” I agreed.

If only Jasper didn’t still need medicine,I thought.

Then a little voice inside my head reminded me that Connor and I had just spent some fantastic time together—with no phone calls. One miracle a day was all anyone could ever ask for.

We started down the stairs, and halfway down he brought me close to his body and kissed me again. Two steps more and he did the same. My whole body was humming by the time we reached the foyer. He walked me backward to the door, and one steamy hot kiss led to another one. I was pinned against the wall—with no complaints—when the door opened and Gina Lou interrupted us.

“Good night, Lila,” Connor whispered softly, his warm breath on my neck every bit as hot as his kisses. “Evenin’, Gina Lou.”

“I guess this means you aren’t making breakfast?” she teased.

“Not this time.” He grinned and disappeared out into the darkness.

The wall was still supporting me because if I took one step, my wobbly knees were sure to fail me. “Did you ...” I panted. “... have a—”

“I had a wonderful day, but it looks like you had a better one. Let’s go get out the leftover peach crisp and the milk and talk. I’ll go first to give you time to catch your breath. Derrick goes to our church, and he cornered me tonight out in the parking lot.” She headed toward the kitchen.

My heart slowed down enough that I could take a few steps, then a few more until I sank down into a chair. A roller coaster of emotions and questions flooded my mind. Connor had proven more than once that evening that he was a man, so why didn’t he want to spend the night? Why wait when we had taken down the stop sign when it came to going slow?

Then it dawned on me what Gina Lou had said, and I gasped. “Wait, Derrick?” I screeched.

“Yep, the sorry sucker asked me out on a real date. I almost caved, Lila.” She set two bowls of peach crisp on the table and a glass of milk before me. “I probably deserve a gold star or a shot of Jim Beam, but this will have to do for tonight,” she said and took a drink of her milk.

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