A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn(64)

And as each course came and went, Emma found herself opening up even more. She laughed a little more easily, shared more personal stories. And she listened to Jay a little more closely. She soaked in every sweet look and kind gesture.

Now, after taking the SCAT bus back to Pinecraft, Jay was walking her home down Kaufmann Avenue. She felt flirty and giddy. Found herself smiling whenever he glanced her way . . . and discovered she couldn’t seem to stop gazing at him. None of this felt especially mature or anything like the behavior a mother of three should be exhibiting! Actually, she felt just like one of the teenagers she saw off in the distance—light and carefree.

“You’ve gotten quiet all of a sudden,” he said. “Did I talk your ear off?”

“Not at all. I guess I was simply thinking about what a nice time I had with you tonight.”

“I enjoyed myself, too.” He looked like he was tempted to add something more, but he said nothing else. “You’re easy to talk to. I, um, shared more with you tonight than I have with anyone in the last year.”

“I feel the same way. I was actually hoping you didn’t think I was talking your ear off,” she admitted, “or that I’d revealed too much about myself.” Maybe she’d told him too many stories about being a single mother.

“I liked hearing all of it from you.”

“It’s been a long time since anyone wanted to know so much about me.”

He smiled. “That’s the price of parenthood, I guess. It’s never about us anymore. It’s about the kinner.”

“It’s always about the kinner,” she agreed. “And that is as it should be. Though sometimes . . .”

“Sometimes it is nice to remember that there is more to us than just being someone’s father or mother.”

“Exactly.” She was glad he understood.

But as she looked around, she realized they were just steps from her house. After all that worrying and fretting she’d done, her date was finished and she felt slightly empty. “I canna believe it’s over,” she murmured.

“What is?”

“Our date.”

He held out a hand to help her up the steps. She liked the way it felt in hers, liked the way he seemed to enjoy her touch as much as she enjoyed his. “I’m sorry it’s over, too. But maybe we’ll do it again sometime soon?”

“Are you asking me out again?” She really hoped he thought she was merely teasing.

“Jah, though it seems I’m doing a poor job of it. Will you go out with me again?”

“Yes.”

“What about your parents? Are you willing to go up against them again?”

Until that moment, she hadn’t been sure if she was strong enough. But now she knew she wasn’t going to let anything stop her from having another night like this. “I’m willing. They are going to have to find a way to accept my decision.” Just as she was going to have to find a way to convince them of it.

He smiled as they walked up the steps, her hand still securely clasped in his. When they reached her front door, he held out his hand for her keys. She handed them to him and stood quietly while he unlocked the door. Then she felt a moment of panic. Did she invite him in? Did he expect to kiss her good night? Would he be shocked if she actually did kiss him good night?

His expression was warm as he watched her. “It’s okay, Emma. All I’m going to do is say good night to you right here.”

“You knew what I was thinking?” She wasn’t sure if she was mortified or extremely relieved.

He nodded. “As clearly as if you were saying it out loud.” Folding his arms over his chest, he grinned. “I know what you were thinking because I’m pretty sure I was thinking the same thing.”

“Which was?”

“That I don’t want to leave you yet. I would love for you to invite me in, but I’m afraid every one of your neighbors is watching quietly from their windows. I don’t want to do that to you.”

Feeling a little sheepish, she said, “I fear you are right. My neighbors are wonderful, but they’re not exactly afraid to be nosey, either.”

“I don’t want tonight to end because I like being with you. But the only remedy I can think of for easing our unhappiness is to make plans to see each other again. Will you go out with me again soon?”

“Jah,” she answered. She didn’t know how she was going to manage it but she would make it happen.

“I’ll see you soon, then.” Reaching out, he ran a finger along her cheekbone. “If we weren’t likely being observed, I’d try to kiss you good night. Would you let me?”