Page 21 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“Laurel mentioned her. She lives in Florida, but we’ve been unable to reach her.”

“And Emma knows her?”

“Apparently.”

Paul’s eyes lit up. “Is that who they stayed with when they went to Florida in the spring?”

“I think so.”

“I recall Mike mentioning something about that. I got theimpression she was younger than Judy and me and well-to-do. They went out on her sailboat.”

Something came to mind. “I think I saw her in a beach photo I came across upstairs from their trip to Florida. The woman in the photo was maybe in her fifties. That had to be her.”

“Maybe she’s the answer. Maybe she’s the right person to raise Emma.”

A ray of hope. Gavin would cling to it for all it was worth. In the meantime, they just had to reach the woman.

Chapter8

The kiss on Gavin’s back patio had changed everything. Laurel began to love those smoldering looks he gave her across the classroom. She’d always enjoyed school, but she’d never had more fun with a project than the one they worked on together. Being partners with Gavin was stimulating in multiple ways. He was so smart, and working as a team was even better than competing with him.

He was fun to be with too. She tried to be serious, but it was hard when Gavin was determined to make her laugh. They met at the library and at his house, where they were building the model. He insisted he needed her help, but he was doing all the work—and he was skilled at it. At least once during each meeting he’d palm her neck and pull her in for a breathtaking kiss. He was good at that too. So good. It didn’t take her long to catch on—he didn’t need her help on the model. He just wanted her company.

The thought made a private little smile curve her lips. Gavin Robinson wanted her. He’d even taken her for ice cream once after a session at the library, and he sometimes called her just to chat.

But as the end of the month neared, despair seeped into her thoughts. The model was finished, and all they had left was finaledits on the paper. She could easily handle that herself, but they’d agreed to work on it together at the library after school.

Ten minutes after they’d found a seat at an abandoned corner table, they sat poring over the essay. His arm pressed against hers, his warmth sinking into her flesh. She covertly inhaled the woodsy scent of him.

This was their last official meeting. What would happen after today? It was almost summer, and the thought of not seeing him every day made her chest feel hollow. Would the end of the project also be the end of... them? Was there even athem? Her friends thought he really liked her, but he hadn’t asked her out on an official date yet. Yes, he kissed her sometimes. But what if he was kissing other girls too?

Laurel had never felt so vulnerable, and she didn’t like the feeling.

“What’s wrong?”

She blinked up at Gavin... so close. She got lost in his eyes for a beat. “What?”

“You seem distracted.”

Words tumbled around her brain, nothing that made sense. Certainly nothing she was brave enough to admit. “I...” She gave up and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

His gaze sharpened on her eyes. Then they dropped to her lips. He leaned forward and brushed her mouth with his, lingering even after the brief kiss ended.

“Know what I know?” his breath whispered across her lips.

“What?”

“I don’t want this to end.” He put a little space between them until their gazes connected. Locked in. His beautiful eyes were filled with wonderful things: affection, attraction, devotion.

Things that made her heart feel floppy.

“I want to go out with you, Laurel.”

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“I’m asking you to be mine.”

Oh.What those words did to her. She felt all floaty and melty inside. The wonder of it. She was just a normal girl—a book nerd, really. And while she was all right in the looks department, she’d never been outgoing enough to have a passel of friends. Gavin was athletic and social and so handsome. More importantly, he was kind and respectful. He could have any girl he wanted.

---