Page 32 of A Second Chance

He smiled. “Good. We’re having a great time and I will keep it clean…. So, tell me what’s it like growing up on a commune?”

She pursed her mouth and shook her head but allowed the change of subject. “It was nice. Idyllic, I guess. We all had to take part in getting the stuff done. It’s how I got into jewelry making – that’s one way to support the commune. I can also make jam like nobody’s business.”

“That’s quite a claim, Ms. Brookmyer. I’m gonna need proof.”

She stifled a laugh, almost spitting her drink out at his blatant attempt at scoring homemade jam.

“I’m just saying, a statement like that needs backup.”

“You’re not goading me into making a batch of jam.”

“Can’t blame a man for trying,” he said, shrugging.

On the ride home, Gwen took stock of the evening that had turned out much differently from what she’d expected. He turned onto the town square with its shop windows all darkened and the courthouse closed, it’s parking spaces abandoned except the occasional car left for whatever reason. She’d not only held hands with Jason, but now had kissed him several times, going against everything she swore off since seeing him in that Christmas Tree lot. And there he was, even after finding out what had happened between them and he didn’t remember. It amazed her that after the revelation they’d been together he was still interested. The truck exited the traffic circle to her street.

Then she remembered a piece of information she wanted to know. “Which one told you where I live?”

He remained quiet for a minute. “I’m not allowed to say.”

“Autumn,” she said. It was the most likely candidate.

“I can neither confirm nor deny that.” Jason pulled into the driveway behind Nick’s car and Gwen sighed.

“Park over behind my car. We can’t block Nick in… in case he gets a call.”

Jason shifted the truck into reverse, and pulled over behind the car. “Does this mean I’m invited in?”

She’d been contemplating it. “Undecided,” she said. “The porch first.”

He nodded, then slid from the truck.

Gwen sat pondering her next move, she didn’t mean to sit there until he opened the door for her, but he did, extending a hand to help her out. They walked to the porch hand in hand, the gift basket in the other hand bounced against her thigh.

“Nice house,” he said, breaking the silence.

“Thanks.” Gwen stepped up on the first porch step and turned to face him, sitting the basket at her feet. “From up here, I’m as tall as you.” She would need another step to be as tall as him, but his arms were around her waist.

“You sure are,” he whispered.

“Almost,” she said, sliding her arms around his neck.

He leaned in for a kiss that blew more than a few brain cells.

They broke off the kiss and stood foreheads touching, his grip tightened on her, then she snuggled into the side of his neck. The faint smell of his soap lingered. She stood, wrapped in his arms, soaking in the calm that washed over her.

The door opened behind them and Gwen jumped, turning to see her sister at the door.

“I thought I heard someone out here,” Avery exclaimed. And Gwen wondered exactly how long she’d been there staring out the peephole.

Twelve

Gwen jumped from his arms at the sound of the door opening. His immediate reaction to want to pull her back to him caused him to pause a beat. Until the kiss in the parking lot of The Bar, he couldn’t recall the last time he had a woman in his arms. And the soft curves, smooth skin, and the smell of strawberries in her hair had his engine revved. He’d never found the scent of strawberry so alluring. The blonde woman with a beaming smile must be Avery. The night he showed up to talk to Gwen, she answered the door.

“Hi,” she came straight at him arm extended, “I’m Avery… Gwen’s sister.”

He stepped up next to Gwen and took Avery’s hand. “I’m Jason.”

“It’s nice to meet you. Come on in and meet Nick.” She’d latched onto his hand and pulled, almost causing him to fall up the steps.

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