Page 34 of Loved By Tandy

As we make our way down the path, the chatty Matthew who showed up this morning has been replaced by a brooding version.

Since we started walking, he’s barely said a word.

“What’s up, Matthew? The last time you went this long without talking was when you had laryngitis in high school.” I rub his arm. “Is this because of what I said?”

“Have you talked to Dallas?” He clasps my hand but keeps his gaze on the trail ahead.

“Why are you changing the subject?”

His laugh relieves a bit of my stress. It’s clear that his wheels are turning, and I’d rather talk about whatever’s on his mind than worry about it.

“I’m curious if Dallas is going to take the job. They just started framing the foreman’s house. And while it will be a little bit before it’s finished, you might consider bringing Dallas on board soon. At least ask him.”

I stop walking and squeeze Matthew’s hand. “I’ll call him. Now tell me what’s wrong.”

“Honestly, nothing.” He glances at our intertwined hands and smiles. “I need to cancel dinner on Saturday. The guys and I have a gig.” Without letting go of my hand, he uses the other to play his pretend fiddle. “You can come if you want.”

The golden rays of the morning sun bathe the trees in a warm glow, and this feels like a moment I’d write in one of my books. “I wouldn’t miss it. If everything is perfect, why are you quiet?”

He steps closer and tucks our joined hands behind his back. “Because…” He sucks in a deep breath.

“Spit it, Matthew. What is it you need to say?”

“I hated when you wouldn’t speak to me. Then I felt guilty when I understood why.”

“You’ve already apologized. I’m not mad at you.”

That delicious twinkle dances in his eyes. “I know. And I’m thankful for that. Mornings are something I look forward to now. Seeing you. Talking with you.”

“But?” It’s obvious there’s one coming. And I’m bracing for what he’s going to say.

He leans closer. “It’s getting harder not to?—”

I tug on his shirt.

Chuckling, he touches his lips to mine, and I let my eyes slip closed as I melt into his kiss.

This man. It’s been half a century since the last time we did this, but my heart remembers like it was yesterday. And he’s not the only man I’ve kissed. But no one else on earth feels like Matthew.

He breaks the kiss and looks down at me. “I don’t want you to pull away. You said that you’d never?—”

I inch up and kiss him again.

He lets go of my hand and hugs me tight when I make it abundantly clear that I’m happy he’s no longer fighting the urge. I’ve wanted this for a while now, but I didn’t think it could feel like this.

My bliss is interrupted by thoughts of all the ways this could go south, and I push on his chest. It isn’t even because of the promise I made myself never to fall for Matthew again. “We shouldn’t. We’re working together.”

He keeps me close and grins. “First of all, I am not technically working. I’m volunteering.”

“I have offered to pay you multiple times.”

“But then I’d be working for you, which would make things complicated.”

I give a dramatic eye roll and try not to laugh. “You said first of all. Do you have any other reasons you think this is okay?”

“We’re adults, Tandy. Shoot, my grandkids are all adults. We’re old. And the most important reason I want us to give this a try is because… I like you. A lot. I want us to hold hands when we walk. Like those cute old couples in commercials. I want to kiss you when I greet you and when I say goodnight because it makes me happy. You make me happy.”

I toy with one of the pearl buttons on his shirt. “I like you too, Matthew. For an old guy, you’re incredibly charming. And I did say never, but it just so happens that I have a Matthew-shaped soft spot.”

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