Page 25 of Forever After All

Jess sat up straighter in her seat. “Ready to stick out like theBeverly Hillbillies?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

He helped Jess out of the truck. How women managed to walk around on little sticks, he’d never know.

The arbor, draped in white, stood tall on the southern side of the building. Chairs were neatly lined up in front of it, and more than half the seats were already taken.

A few groups of people standing and talking near the back noticed them and waved. He recognized many faces from town, but there were just as many he hadn’t seen before.

Jess leaned close as they walked. “You ever get the feeling you’re being watched?” she whispered.

A single chuckle reverberated in Linc’s chest. “They’re not looking at me. They’re looking at you.”

Jess stiffened. “Why?”

Oh, he’d set himself up for that one. Now, he had no choice but to be honest. “You’re beautiful.”

Instead of cooing some sweet thanks, Jess stayed quiet.

Oh, well. At least he’d tried. Would she clam up if he told her how much he liked her? Would she stop talking to him altogether if he got the guts to ask her on a real, official date?

A lot was at stake here, but no pressure.

He followed Jess to a pair of open seats near the back. She would be just as reluctant to socialize as he was. They just might get through the evening without incident.

“Jess!” Mrs. Scott hustled over with her arms open.

“Hey.” Jess stood but didn’t assume the position for a hug.

Mrs. Scott didn’t take the hint and went in for a full-on hug. Jess’s body tensed.

He’d noticed Jess wasn’t much of a hugger. The ladies at church hadn’t gotten the memo. He’d seen her offer a hand to shake, but hugging always drew her up short.

“Hanson told me he had a great time on your date. Did you have a good time too?”

Great. Now it was Linc’s turn to tense up.

“I liked hanging out with him, but we decided it wasn’t going to work out.”

At least she’d cleared that one up before Linc had an aneurysm. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants and stretched his neck in the tight collar.

“Oh no. I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Scott crooned. “That’s too bad.”

“Don’t worry. He won’t have trouble finding a good woman. And he said he’d like to be friends.”

“Oh, good. You know, he’s supposed to be here.”

Jess straightened. “Really?”

“Yes, he’s on his way.” Mrs. Scott leaned around Jess and waved. “Hey, Lincoln. How are you today?”

Mrs. Scott was as nice as they came, and despite her tendency to matchmake whenever she could, she’d never set her sights on him.

He’d briefly wondered if it was because he was a lost cause. Not that his feelings were hurt over it. The nice older woman would clutch her pearls if she knew half of the crimes he’d committed.

Probably best she didn’t try to set him up anyway.

Mrs. Scott looked back and forth between Jess and Linc. “Are you two here together?”

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