Page 39 of Memories of the Past

“It is, but you know, I’ve had a pretty awesome life. Well, that part of it anyways.”

“I’m glad, Thomas. Are you doing okay, injury wise?”

“I am now, doc has me on some medications, well a small pharmacy of them, but since I’ve been back here, the pain seems to have subsided. Same with the headaches.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“What about you?”

“There isn’t much to tell.” I shrugged.

“There must be something. Who swept in and took their chances with you after I left town?” Thomas questioned.

I shook my head. “No one. I went to night school, took a couple of courses, and basically just buried myself in the bookstore business.”

“So, you’re telling me that Jonathon never came snooping around you after I left?” Thomas asked, jealousy lining his voice.

Jonathon had been the only boy in school brave enough to show interest in me while I’d been dating Thomas. Thomas had put an end to that very quickly, making him understand that I was off limits. Had he come around? Of course, he had, but after one date I promptly told him not to bother. It was just too soon. He had listened and soon after that, his family had left Willow Valley. “He tried, but I wasn’t ready,” I said, sipping my wine.

We both grew silent. I could feel he had something he wanted to say, so I just waited, eating a piece of cheese and sipping my wine, while he looked out over the water.

“Are you okay?” I quietly asked.

“You know, all this loss in such a short time. First, my career, then my father. I’ve made so many mistakes over the course of my life, and they are one’s that I cannot take back. But there is one that I can rectify now, it’s not too late for us. We could have another chance.”

I didn’t know what to say. A huge part of me wanted the same thing. I was just so afraid of being hurt again. I swallowed hard just as thunder rumbled above.

“It wasn’t supposed to rain tonight,” Thomas said, looking up at the darkening sky. “Looks like we may have to cut the night short.”

The sound of loons rang out in the distance, and I felt a couple drops of rain, and then the sky opened. Rain poured down on us followed by a loud crack of thunder and a flash of lightning. Thomas quickly got up and jumped down out of the truck, then turned and took hold of me by the waist and lifted me down.

“Hurry, get inside, before you get soaked,” he said as he placed me on the ground. I quickly ran around to the passenger’s side and climbed into the truck. I watched through the mirror as Thomas closed the lid on the bed. Then he, too, came and climbed into the cab, rainwater dripping off his face. We both looked at one another and broke out into laughter, just like we would have done when we were younger.

“So much for that!” Thomas chuckled as he started the engine and pulled the truck around.

* * *

By the time we turned down Bluebird Avenue, the rain had stopped. Thomas pulled up to my small driveway and pulled his truck in behind my car.

“I’ll walk you to the door if you’d like.”

I looked over at him, his blue eyes sparkling in what was left of the light. “That would be nice,” I said softly.

He smiled, then came around to open my door. We walked slowly to my back door and there we stood.

“Well, you’re home.”

“I am. Thank you for a wonderful evening.” I looked down at the ground. I felt we had so much more to say, and I didn’t want the night to end, but I turned away from him and slid my key into the lock, turning it. I just shoved my keys into my purse when I felt his large hands on my arms. I stilled and looked over my shoulder at him. The look in his eyes told me that he too wasn’t ready for the night to end. I cleared my throat, “Would you like to come up for a coffee?” I questioned, hoping that Thomas would agree to coming up, even if it was only for an hour. “It will warm us up after that rain.”

He didn’t answer right away, he just stared into my eyes and I was afraid he was going to say no, but instead, he squeezed my upper arms, sending waves of electricity through me.

“Are you sure?” he questioned.

I swallowed, catching the scent of his cologne as a gentle breeze blew. He smelled heavenly. “If I weren’t sure, I wouldn’t have asked,” I answered.

His eyes held mine for a moment, then he stepped forward, his body coming into my personal space as he pushed the door open. I stepped inside the small entryway, putting some space between us so I could breathe, and waited for him to close the door. I slipped my shoes off and climbed the back steps up to my small apartment. We were greeted by Luna, who immediately started criss-crossing between my feet, rubbing her body against my legs.

“Hey, Luna,” I said, reaching down and picking her up, introducing her to Thomas.

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