Page 47 of Candy Cane Dreams
"So yeah. I guess if I am laying my cards on the table, I asked you out on a date because I like you. I brought you the flowers because I like you. I might like you more than a little. It's possible that... I'm falling in love with you. And if that makes you uncomfortable, or if you're going to get in trouble for that, maybe we should figure that out now."
His eyes slid to hers, as he stood there, seeming to brace himself for whatever it was that she was going to say.
"Oh, Jack. I don't think the school will have any problem at all. If I were dating a client, that would be a professional issue, but the father of one of my students would certainly not be an issue, and I haven't even started working yet, so there shouldn't be any issues at all. As for me... I was afraid that you didn't feel for me the same way I felt for you. That's why I was worried that this was just you saying thank you, or you wanting to talk to me."
"So I think we figured out that we both like each other?" Jack said, uncertain, and Kate knew she was blushing. She felt like a teenager. "I think that's what we just figured out."
"Then I can hold your hand?" he asked, lifting a brow and pulling a hand out of his pocket and holding it palm up, waiting for her to slip her hand into his.
"Yeah. I guess that's what that means."
"Does that mean we're a couple?" he asked. "I guess I'm trying to figure out exactly what's going on, because... it's been a long time since I've done this, and you're a lot different than Lauren."
"I'd like to hear about Lauren," she said, ignoring the first part of his question. Probably she should think about it, but the words slipped out before she could stop them. "And yeah. I think we're a couple. Although... I don't date casually. I'm pretty serious about wanting to find that person that I want to settledown with, who wants to settle down with me and build a family together."
"I'm serious about that. I already have one child, and Lilly needs siblings. I've not been in a huge rush to find someone, just because Lilly has needed so much of my attention. But if she's going to continue to talk?—"
"Did she speak more today?"
"A little. She's not jabbering around yet, but I do believe that she will be soon."
"That's great! I should have asked that immediately. I guess I was so wrapped up in being nervous about what you and I were doing together, and what this meant, that I totally didn't even think about it."
"I could have texted you and told you about it, but I guess I was thinking the same thing. What do you think of me? And what's going on with us?"
"I think we have that pretty much figured out, although I suppose I have a few things I should tell you too."
"Let's get in the car, at least make our way to the restaurant, and then we can talk about those things that we need to, okay?" He waited for her nod before he led the way down the steps and walked to his car, where he opened the door for her to get in.
Chapter Nineteen
Jack lifted his head to the cool December air and smiled. Kate truly did like him, and they were going to be a couple.
He walked around the car and opened her door, watching as she stood gracefully, and then holding his hand out and watching her slide her fingers into his.
Was there a better feeling in the world? He wasn't sure there was, and he felt like he was walking on air as he closed her door, and they walked toward the restaurant. Maybe the candy cane shop wouldn't make it. Maybe Lilly would never talk much. Maybe he would regret giving up the chance he had to farm with his brother. But it felt like all was right in the world, as long as Kate was beside him, and he knew he was doing what God wanted him to do.
They made it to the restaurant door, and he pulled it open, allowing Kate to walk forward, and then following as a host seated them.
They gave their drink orders and then perused the menus for a bit.
It was simple fare, nothing fancy, and he felt like he should be taking her to a much nicer place, but Kate didn't seem to care, and he really couldn't afford it.
"Maybe it's not fair of me to ask you to be with someone who has nothing. I mean, my shop is struggling, and I might not be successful after all."
"I don't care. If it doesn't make it, we'll figure something else out. Isn't that what success is? Just failing until you make it, right?"
He'd never heard that, but he had to laugh a little, then he lifted his shoulder. "I guess. You're sure that's not going to bother you?"
"No. It's not. Trying and failing is far better than not trying at all. And I'm completely behind you, no matter what."
"Then maybe you can help me figure out what I'm going to do for the festival. I wanted to make some kind of heritage candy that was really special, since I don't want to lose this opportunity to put my shop out there and snatch up all the great advertising that being the featured shop garners."
"Then I'll help you. I don't really know much about candy recipes, but I can search the Internet."
The waitress came, and they both gave their orders. He laughed as she ordered the special, which was what he had intended as well.
They shared a smile after the waitress left, and then he said, "Lauren had a bunch of recipes in the storage shed out back. Stuff that had been passed down from her parents and grandparents and great-grandparents. You might be able to find something in there. I just... I haven't taken the time to go through the things. But you're welcome to do whatever you'd like."
