Page 40 of Loved By Tandy

I give him a quick peck and slip my hand into his. And it takes all my willpower not to look around to see the reactions of others watching. I know our friends are happy, but if Matthew’s family feels differently, I’d rather not know that now. Maybe ever.

He tugs me closer and says, “Eli dropped his drink, but he’s smiling, and Zach just gave me a thumbs-up. I’m not even sure what that’s about.”

Matthew knows exactly what to say to make me laugh.

“I hope your kids feel like your grandsons.”

“I’m sure they will. They want me to be happy.” He says it as a fact, but there is a hint of uncertainty in his statement.

Surely, they have no issue with Matthew dating. It’s not like we have any plans to marry. We simply enjoy spending time together.

Matthew twirls me as the song ends, then plants a kiss on my lips. And this one isn’t a peck. “That was fun.”

“The dance or the kiss?” I hook my arm around his.

“Both.” He dances his eyebrows. “I’m honored to have the prettiest lady here on my arm.”

“You can stop now.”

He laughs and pulls me off the dance floor away from our table. “I know it sounds like a line, but it isn’t. Funny thing is, sometimes when I look at you, I see your gray hair and the signs that years have passed. But other times, it’s like I’m looking at the younger version of you, the one I fell in love with in high school. You were beautiful then and just as pretty now. I’m not feeding you a line, Candy.”

My breath catches as memories wash over me. “You remember.”

He hasn’t called me by that nickname since the night I climbed in his window, and that night, it was whispered in surprise. But I loved that nickname. He only used it when we were alone. It was our shared thing.

“Of course I remember. How could you think I’d forget? I guess the candy I left all over your house wasn’t enough of a clue that I remembered. Once upon a time, you were my sweet Tandy, and now you are again. I remember all the nicknames I had for you, Lucy.”

I kiss him. “We both know I was never all that sweet. But I know what you mean about memories blurring the present. You may have rivels of wisdom, but your green eyes haven’t aged. I’m glad I stopped being stubborn and finally started talking to you.”

“You and me both.” He tucks an arm around my waist. “Now let’s go back to the table and get mobbed. And hopefully, there’s something for me to eat.”

I’m happy for the companionship and the spark of romance. Being with Matthew doesn’t make me feel young. There are too many aches and creaky joints to forget my age. But he does make me feel timeless. I can only hope that when I match couples, they have a connection like I have with Matthew.

He walksme to the door and glances at the driveway next door as Zach and Haley carry the twins out to the truck. “I had fun tonight. And it looks like the twins did too. Hank and Nacha wore them out, it seems.”

“Hopefully, they’ll stay asleep and won’t keep their parents awake the rest of the night.” I unlock the door and push it open. “This evening was good. Dancing with you reminded me of the nights we’d sneak into that old dance hall.”

“They didn’t seem to care much as long as we stayed clear of the bar. But yeah, it did bring back memories.” He rests a hand on the doorframe and smiles down at me. “Good memories.”

“You can come in, but if we’re still planning to walk in the morning, we should probably sleep.”

He nods. “I should get on home. But I’ll see you bright and early.”

After a goodnight kiss, I stand on the porch and watch him stroll to his truck.

Then I go inside, change into pajamas, and snuggle in bed with a cat on each side of me. And I tell them all about my night. And that I think maybe, for the second time in my life, I’m falling in love with Matthew Gallagher.

But I shouldn’t let my thoughts go there. Kissing and companionship is enough. I have no interest in getting married, and I’m sure he feels the same way.

I’m content to be the crazy cat lady who enjoys romance during the day and talks to my cats at night.

CHAPTER 16

MATTHEW

Holding a box of donuts, I knock on Tandy’s door. It’s Sunday, and we planned to take a walk around the neighborhood this morning. Sunday is the one day nothing really happens on the ranch.

She doesn’t answer, and I press an ear to the door.

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