Page 24 of Forever After All

Linc parked the truck facing Jess’s place. The single-story house was as plain as they come. Brown roof and brown shutters. Wooden planks painted the color of clay, and a small porch on the front.

It fit Jess, and even though she didn’t talk about her house much, he knew enough to see the excitement in her eyes whenever someone brought up that she had her own place.

Real estate was top dollar this close to the national parks, and Jess had probably worked hard and saved harder to be able to afford the small house.

It was one of the things he admired about her. There was a long list, but the fact that she’d been smart enough to afford a house in her early twenties didn’t escape him.

He adjusted his tie as he walked to the door. Everly had suggested navy, and he’d purposely not questioned the unsolicited advice.

Knocking twice, he let out a deep exhale and looked around. Jess had briefly talked about her neighbor, Ms. Landry, but Linc had yet to see her. He’d only been over a few times, but the reclusive neighbor had avoided him.

The blinds on the window facing Jess’s place moved, and Linc remembered why he hadn’t seen Ms. Landry. Jess said the woman was a busybody who told all of her friends about the things she saw going on outside her window. She kept her little group of friends updated about the birds and squirrels.

Apparently, he’d just bought himself a substantial portion of the rumor mill. It wasn’t often a well-dressed man showed up at Jess’s doorstep.

The door opened, and Jess looked around, brushing a hand over her wavy hair and the other over her dress. “I can’t find that stupid purse thing that goes with the dress.”

What was she talking about? Linc’s brain had just exploded at the sight of Jess.

Good grief, why did she have to be drop-dead gorgeous?

Hadley’s navy suggestion was on point. The dark dress painted Jess in a perfect silhouette, and her light hair fell in big waves over one shoulder.

Torture. Jess in a dress was pure torture.

Jess held up a finger. “One sec. Let me check the laundry room.”

Linc rested a hand over his eyes and counted backward from a hundred. Watching her walk away would be like pouring gasoline on the flames.

When he made it to zero, he shook out his hands.

She’s beautiful. You knew that. Get it together.

Jess appeared in the doorway and held up a little blue purse. “Found it. Let’s go.”

She locked the door behind them, and he stopped at the three steps leading off the porch. Holding a hand out to her, he waited as she pulled her skirt to the side as she walked down the stairs.

In those heels, she had an extra few inches to meet the ground if she took a tumble.

Jess looked at his hand for a second before switching the purse to the side bunching the skirt. Her soft hand settled in his, and he fought his reaction to the contact. He’d made a point not to do any touching with Jess, but it was the gentlemanly thing to do to help her down the stairs.

Unfortunately, having her small hand in his was a wildfire he wasn’t prepared to face, and when she reached the bottom of the steps, he released his grip so he could breathe again.

He opened the passenger door for her and, once again, offered his hand.

He had to tell her. His feelings were growing stronger by the day. By the minute. Jess appreciated honesty.

But she wouldn’t appreciate his feelings if she didn’t return them. Then, they’d be stuck working together.

If she’d give him one sign, he’d take the leap. He had a whole evening to hopefully get a signal.

That was it. Linc would make a decision by the time he dropped her off after the wedding. Surely, she’d give him a clue before the end of the night.

As the miles and minutes passed, neither of them spoke. It wasn’t abnormal. In fact, they often went whole days without saying much, and Jess never let on if it bothered her.

They drove slowly through the ranch to the event venue. He’d attended half a dozen weddings in the last few years, but he never got used to the upscale gathering scene.

He was made for hay and horses, not champagne and caviar.

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