Finding Love, page 8
Then again, it was easier to help one than two.
“Come meet the other guest,” he heard Ms. Bella say.
She walked into the kitchen.
“Soup?” Luke stood to his feet and crossed the room. He slapped his best friend’s back. “What in the world are you doing here?”
“Couldn’t pass a chance to see you before you head back, especially since you’re so close.”
“You two know each other?” Ms. Bella arched an eyebrow, her finger pointing back and forth between them.
“Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison.
The B&B owner chuckled. “Oh good. You help your friend,” she said to Micah. “He has the girl troubles.”
“We’re going out tomorrow, Ms. Bella, so things are looking up.” He walked back to the table and motioned for Soup to sit. “Seriously, man, what are you doing here?”
“Job interview.”
“What? Where? For what?”
Micah sat back, crossing his feet at the ankles. “I got my Physician Assistant license so I’m looking for a job where I can use it. I’m interviewing with the local family practice.”
“Nice. I forgot you went back to school for that.”
“Yeah, it was brutal but worth it.”
“Is this your only interview?”
“No, I have a couple of other ones, too. We’ll see how it pans out.” Micah sat forward, tapping his hands on the table top. “So you and Delaney, huh? You finally manned up?”
Luke couldn’t stop the grin that formed across his face. “She asked me out after I put the ball in her court.” He shrugged. “Oddly enough it worked.”
“Awesome. Maybe I could meet her before I have to go back home?”
“Dude, we haven’t even been on a date. I don’t want to give her a weird vibe about meeting my friends.”
Micah rolled his eyes skyward toward his bald head. “You’re worse than a girl sometimes.”
“I don’t think so,” he said with a grin.
“I’m surprised you’re eating here. I thought you ate at The Pit.”
“Somedays I do and sometimes I eat here. Ms. Bella is an amazing cook. You should grab you a bowl.” He motioned toward the countertops. “She always makes more than enough.”
“She won’t mind?”
“Nah.”
Micah looked around. “Are you sure? Should I ask?”
“Just eat. She always leaves after she’d done cooking. Doesn’t want to bother anyone while they eat. Kinda like a ninja the way she disappears sometimes.”
Micah sat back down and took a heaping bite. His eyebrows shot up at the first taste.
“Good, huh?”
He nodded his head, then visibly swallowed. “That’s amazing.”
“I may never want to leave Maple Run with all this good food.”
“Then stay.”
“And do what?” He ran a hand over his beard. “I don’t want to be a chef. It’s a hobby, working every day.” He sighed. It was a drain, but Delaney needed him so he’d continue helping out.
“You think about the Guard? You can do work on the weekends and still work toward a retirement check.”
“Hmm.”
“What’s your degree in again?”
“Business.”
Micah nodded slowly as he chewed his food. “Those that can’t do, teach.”
“What?”
“I don’t know…it’s some famous saying. I think you should teach.”
“Teach what? If I teach other soldiers, I’d have to reenlist. I’m talking about when I get out, man.”
“I know. You could teach as a government contractor.”
“Hmm…” he rubbed his beard. “I wonder if they have any jobs like that out here.”
“You thinking of moving up here, Crusoe?” Micah watched him, curiously.
If a relationship between him and Delaney worked out…why not? “Maybe.”
“Well, something to look into.”
“That it is.”
Delaney’s hatred of shopping intensified as she dragged herself behind Nina. The insane woman dashed from clothes rack to clothes rack, muttering underneath her breath. As soon as they had stepped into the department store, her sister-in-law’s sweet expression faded, replaced by her game face. She watched in bemusement as Nina went to darted toward another rack. How the girl managed to grab a specific item from each rack without thumbing through all the offerings was enough to exhaust her.
Admire even.
Nina stopped and turned to look at her. “Come on, girl! To the dressing room.”
Oh but she wanted to gripe! Why couldn’t she just wear what was in her closet? This was a test run, not a real live date that would put stars in her eyes and have her writing Luke’s name a thousand times on a piece of paper.
“Delaney, you’re moving slower than a snail on a sloth.”
She chortled. “Where in the world did that come from?”
“You hear strange things when you sit down and eat at The Maple Pit.”
“Maybe you should write a book about it.” She followed Nina into a dressing room. “Wait, you’re not going to stay in here are you?”
“Of course not. I’m just hanging these up.” Nina arched an eyebrow. “And don’t think for a single minute that you can skip an outfit and not come out and show me.”
“Yay.” The words fell flat, her sarcasm shining through.
“Cheer up, sunshine. Once you try on the right outfit, your mood will improve dramatically.”
Nina turned away but not before Delaney saw a glint of disappointment in her eyes. “Hey,” she laid a hand on her sister-in-law’s arm. “I’m sorry. I wanted to go shopping not because I like it but for us to become better friends.”
“Really?” Nina searched her eyes, seeking truth.
You’re an idiot. How could she forget how important family was to Nina? The girl was willing to put herself out there and advertise for a husband for the sake of having a family of her own. And here she was complaining she had to go shopping when she willingly said yes. “Really. I’m sorry I’ve been so grouchy.”
“It’s okay.” Nina beamed. “Now go change.”
Dee winced as she gazed in the mirror. The outfit was horrible. The shorts were way too short and the tank top didn’t reach the waist band. She inhaled, sucking in the extra belly fat that stuck around way too long after her pregnancy.
She walked out into the waiting room and stared at the carpet, afraid to meet Nina’s gaze.
“Oh, man, that’s not at all what I imagined.” Nina’s eyes sparkled with laughter. “You can take that off now and end the torture.”
“Thank God,” she breathed out. Her little pouch poked over her waist band and Nina fell over laughing.
“Yeah, yeah, don’t act like you don’t have one, too.”
“Gotta love having twins, huh?”
“Definitely.”
She wiggled out of the clothes and reached for the next outfit. A skirt and blouse. Simple and hopefully the one. The thought of going through the rest of the clothes and not finding the perfect date outfit was enough to make her hyperventilate.
Her mouth dropped open. She looked like a nun or…she wasn’t sure what else to compare it to. Nina should love this one.
She did the cabbage-patch dance out the fitting room and into the waiting area.
“No, please don’t do that or wear that ever again.”
“Come on, I look stunning.”
“You look like a school marm. You’re missing your lunch pail.”
“Hey, you picked it out.”
“Yes, but it’s not supposed to look like that.” Nina shook her head. “It’s much easier to shop for myself. It’s because you’re so tall.”
“There is that.” And Luke was taller than her.
“You thinking about Luke?”
Heat infused her face. “What do you mean?”
“I saw that look.” Nina made a swirling motion toward her face. “You like him, like him, huh?”
“Maybe.” She shrugged then ran for the safety of the fitting room. No need letting her sister-in-law entertaining any grand ideas. This was a test date, just to see how she could do. Not a love connection.
Next up was a maxi dress. It had three-quarter-length sleeves and fell to the floor. She twirled watching the bottom flare out. It was beautiful and comfortable. The yellow color seemed to deepen her skin tone to a rich brown.
“This is the one,” she whispered.
She sauntered out the dressing room and struck a pose.
“Yes!” Nina shouted. “It’s perfect. All you need are some accessories and you’ll knock his socks off.”
“Okay, I think I can handle that part. Necklaces aren’t so bad.”
“Don’t forget earrings and shoes, maybe even a bracelet.”
“Nina,” she groaned out.
“No, sister dear, we’re going to have fun. Besides, this wasn’t so bad, was it?”
She smiled down at her petite friend. “It wasn’t.”
“Good. Luke Robinson won’t know what hit him.”
“I don’t want to knock him out.”
“Oh, yes you do sweetie. I saw those moony eyes you were making.”
She sighed. “But he’s a soldier.”
“And you have experience being a soldier’s wife. Don’t focus on the negative. When we do, we miss out on all the good God has for us.”
“He’s leaving.”
“Then enjoy the view for however long it last.”
“It is a spectacular view.” Impressive stature, dark wavy hair, and dream blue eyes. Yes, the view was certainly spectacular.
“Moony eyes are back.”
“Oh, hush.” She tapped Nina on the arm as the younger woman guided them toward the shoe section.
“I’m just stating facts. Don’t be mad. I’m sure I have a similar expression when I think about Dwight.”
“Ugh, definitely. Both of you. I’ve never seen my brother so sappy.”
Nina chuckled. “Then you haven’t paid attention when he holds one of the twins.”
“Probably because I’m doing the same thing when I hold them. They’re so adorable. I swear I get baby fever every time I’m near them.”
“Never too late—
“Oh yes, it is,” she interrupted. “That ship has sailed and sunk to the bottom of the ocean. No more kids for me.”
“Really?”
“You want more?” She stared at her sister-in-law in disbelief. They had three kids. Granted, Kandi was eighteen and going to college soon, but still. “What if you got pregnant and had more twins?”
Nina grinned. “More to love.”
“More power to ya, girl. My baby having days are over. O-v-e-r.”
“I get it, I get it.” Nina picked up a pair of heels.
She shook her head no.
“What if Luke wants kids?” Nina grabbed a pair of wedged heels.
“Then he’s not the one.” Her gut sent a twinge of unease at the thought.
Could he want more kids? Wait a minute. They hadn’t even had their date yet. No need to even go down this line of questioning. Besides, if he did and they were in a relationship, she’d just cross that bridge, and dive off to escape the inquiry.
“Don’t discount it, Dee,” Nina said in a sing-song voice.
“Already forgotten.”
Chapter Eleven
The suspense just might kill him.
Luke glanced at his watch, doing quick math. He still had two hours to go before he could pick Delaney up for their date. Thankfully, he’d worked that morning at The Pit to help pass the time. Well, really, he swapped shifts with Mrs. Williams so that he could go out with Delaney. It had been a little discomforting…at least on his part. There had to be some rule about dating your boss’s daughter and swapping shifts with them to ensure it happened. Then again, Mrs. Williams gave her approval early on, so maybe he was making everything difficult, like his Pop always said.
So convoluted.
His watch moved forward a minute. There really had to be something else he could do besides sitting on his bed and staring at the time. He ran a hand over his face and stilled. His fingers moved back and forth over his beard. If he wanted to make the best of the date, he had to look his best.
Right?
Spurred by the thought, he headed for the on-suite bathroom. Somewhere in his toiletry bag was a razor. He always kept one in case he decided he wanted to shave. Or if they suddenly called him back to work. This much hair on his face went against regulations. He pulled the razor out and stared at it. As much as he loved growing a beard on leave, it needed to go.
He grabbed his travel-size shaving cream and got to work. Eventually, the beard was gone and the lower half of his face stared back at him. It was lighter than the top half, but there was nothing he could do about that. Guess he should have shaved it off yesterday and sat in the sun to help.
Luke glanced at his watch. How was that only fifteen minutes? He’d taken his time and gotten every single hair off his chin and neck. He didn’t even nick himself. “Okay, God. That didn’t take as long as I was hoping.”
It was time to go with the flow because staring at his watch wouldn’t speed up the minute hand. He would just get dressed and see what happened. Maybe Ms. Bella would want to shoot the breeze until he had to leave to pick up Delaney.
He smoothed down his blue, button-down plaid, shirt. The rolled sleeves ensured he wouldn’t melt going out in the summer heat. Then again, it was supposed to be a little cooler today. Apparently the weather in Virginia was about as stable as horse on roller skates. A glance in the floor-length mirror assured him he looked presentable. He rubbed his smooth cheeks one more time. Hopefully, Delaney liked the look. If not, he just wasted time for nothing. He grabbed his leather jacket and helmet. In a few steps, he reached the kitchen doorway where the smell of bread greeted him.
“Hi, Luke. You ready for your date?” Bella grinned, her eyes twinkling in merriment.
“Yes. A little nervous.”
“Sure, sure. It is hard dating a single mother.”
Now that he met the boys, the single mom aspect didn’t bother him so much. If only he could shake the memory of Jones. He winced. That sounded worse than he meant.
“You’ll be fine. Delaney’s a good person.”
“That she is.”
Bella sat his Harley Davidson saddlebag picnic basket on the kitchen island. “Your dinner’s all ready.”
“Thank you so much, Ms. Bella. I’m sure we’ll enjoy it.”
He grabbed the basket, thankful Ms. Bella offered to make their picnic dinner. Spending all day in the kitchen lessened his desire to cook. Plus, Delaney would get a chance to sample her wonderful cooking.
Luke stowed the picnic basket on his bike. He inhaled, trying to create an inner calm. No matter how many deep breaths he took, it did nothing to calm his nerves. He muttered his life verse of John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Breathe, Robinson. It was now or never. Time to get Delaney for their date.
Their date.
“Bye, Ms. Bella.”
“Have fun.”
As he straddled his Roadster, a prayer rose on his lips. “Lord, be with me. Help me show her a good time. Help her relax and keep her fears at bay…and mine too.”
His mind emptied as he became one with his Harley. Left, right, straight. He needed to stash the picnic basket before picking up Delaney. The peace of the ride flooded him, calming him.
The sun beamed down, heating his leather jacket. Thankfully, it didn’t make him sweat. He’d come to appreciate the cool breeze that always seemed to hover in the Virginia air. Especially since he’d be on a date in a matter of minutes.
After dropping the basket off, he drove down a road that led to a yellow farmhouse. The front porch had a few white rocking chairs. A couple of bikes and some sport balls littered lawn. All that was missing were the two kids they belonged to.
He gulped as he rolled to a stop. If he checked his watch, he knew fear would paralyze him. He was probably an hour early. Then again, maybe he should check it. If he really was an hour early, Delaney would think him crazy. Of course, he could sit out here until it was exactly time for their date.
No. That had stalker written all over it.
“You can do this. Have fun. Show her a good time. Relax.”
Then why did this feel scarier than jumping out of a helo?
He placed his helmet on the handlebar and headed for the porch. Sending up another short prayer, Luke knocked on the door. Tension rooted him to ground as the sound of footfalls reached his ears. His breath whistled out his body as the someone unlocked the door.
The door swung wide open and there stood Delaney in a light yellow dress that reached the floor. Her hair hung in dark waves against her shoulders. Her thick eyelashes seemed to emphasis the shape of her eyes. His heart picked up speed and he gulped.
“Hi.”
Whoa. Her brain officially short circuited. She thought Luke was good-looking with his beard. Without it…well, words failed her. She couldn’t look away. Her heartbeat picked up speed with such force she glanced down to make sure it wasn’t visible.
Normal looking.
Her eyes swiveled back to his. They seemed to match the clear sky this afternoon. Her eyes dropped down to the part of his face that had been covered in the mountain-man style beard. He was the most striking man she’d ever seen. Saying ‘hi’ seemed inadequate but that was all her brain had been able to produce.
Her fingers itched to touch his cheeks as her mind wondered if they were as smooth as they looked. He must have sensed the emotions running through her, because a full-fledged grinned broke across his face.
She gasped.
He has dimples!
