Page 20 of Whispered Southern Secrets

“Focus on you.” Her smile is soft and flirty.

Owning the fact I want to hog all her attention, I pull her closer to me. “If you need me to be your anchor, I’m here for you.”

“You’ve been an anchor for a lot of people. It’s amazing what you’ve been doing around town.” I don’t do anything for praiseor the reward of feeding my ego. However, hearing Honey right now, I feel pretty good about myself. I’m practically puffing my chest out. My face must look smug because she fights back a smile. “Okay.” She sucks her lips in. “That’s all the compliments you’re getting from me tonight.”

I love the way she feels under my hands and next to my body. The way we effortlessly move together. I’m a firm believer in fate, and there’s a plan for all of us. This is fate bringing her back into my arms. Life keeps pushing us back together. And when we are together, it feels like I have everything I could ever want. I feel whole. I used to think our timing was off because we met before we got our lives settled, but maybe not. The Bible tells us that there’s a time for everything. The book also tells us to make every minute count.

“If today was my last day, I wouldn’t want to waste it worrying about what anyone thought. Because it wouldn’t matter. What matters is spending time with you. I’m a firm believer in making every moment matter, darlin’.”

Her eyes reflect what I’m feeling. Longing. Her voice is barely above a whisper. “Here’s to making every moment matter.”

My lips curve up on one side and my heart pounds against my chest. I feel slightly breathless. “Every. Moment. Matter.”

It’s time to stop wasting time with Honey. Not to take for granted the fact she’s back in my life after three years. I never stopped thinking about her. The softness of her lips and the way they taste. My stomach flips with the memories of the secret we share.

“I want a relationship with you more than I care about opinions.”

“My mimi said with enough courage you could do without a reputation.” I’ve heard that line before, but not from her grandmother. Honey laughs and then says, “She quoted it from Rhett Butler.”

“So we’re going to do this?”

“Dance?” she teases.

“Dance through life together. Make every moment count. Be my girlfriend.”

“Brother John David, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”

“I am. Even though I know you’re going to be trouble.”

We both laugh and it feels so darn good. She licks her lips and then gives me that megawatt smile of hers. “A little trouble never hurt anyone.”

Of course thenext day everyone is buzzing about the wedding and whispering about me and Honey dating. We hadn’t even gone on our first date, yet. Some say they’re not surprised. Some say we deserve one another—but I don’t think they mean it in a good way. Others are wandering if that mean Honey is going to be in Magnolia Grove permanently. And the most disturbing is people questioning if our relationship will be platonic and pure.

I knew this would cause a stir in the rumor mill. The thought of having a sermon on idle gossip and reminding everyone that preachers are human with human desires has crossed my mind. However, I’m not going to. Instead, I’m going to focus on the fact that I’m dating Honey Beaumont. The most beautiful person in Magnolia Grove. She’s as sweet as her nickname, loves those closest to her fiercely, and is always ready to spread happiness wherever she goes.She’s also the only woman who I’ve never gotten over.I push that thought away. No need in reliving our past “relationship,” I’d rather focus on the present.

Chapter Ten

Honey

Today J.D. is taking me out for a picnic. This way we can visit without an audience. We’re surrounded by rolling hills, situated between an abundance of trees and a creek. Mother Nature is really showing out with the vivid autumn colors. Despite being surrounded by all the beauty, my fears are still managing to break through and they’re waying heavy on me.

What am I doing? What kind of life could I possibly have with him? The entire town watching us, expecting us to be the example couple, and be open to ridicule at every turn. Like I’m not judged enough as it is. Do I even trust my fractured heart?

I’d opened myself up once before. I did the whole big wedding and made a fool of myself. It’s only been three years, and I don’t feel like I’m any wiser. Everyone starts out great. It’s after you let your guard down, let them in, get attached, and get behind closed doors they show you their true colors. Then they have the power to completely ruin you. Worse, you gave them that power.

J.D. could destroy me beyond repair. He almost did once without even trying. I’d never felt so empowered and beautiful as I had while in his arms. Then, true to his word, hevanished.Truthfully,y I thought that’s what I’d wanted. But I never got over him. No one could compete with the way he’d made me feel. And that was only for a one night together with my guard up. What could he do to me if I actually gave him my heart?

“I love watching the trees change.” J.D. says thoughtfully. “Life’s a lot like those trees.”

“How so?”

“The most beautiful color comes from change. The different seasons—or challenges if you will, bring color to our life. Sometimes life can strip us bare. But then brings new greenery. Through all the storms, we remain standing.”

“That’s deep.” I pass him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

“That’s why it helps to be rooted in faith.”

“Was that a punny dad joke but Christian edition?” He gives me a boyish smile and I give him a teasing groan, drawing out the word “No.”

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