She moved up his walk, assuring herself she would only stay a moment.
“Leo has been cooped up all day,” she explained. “We both needed to stretch our legs a little before bed.”
“Next time, grab me. I’ll go with you.”
As if she would have found that at all restful. “I was fine.”
“Maybe so, but it’s pretty foolish to go walking by yourself after dark. Anything could have happened to you. One slip and you could have fallen into the creek. And who knows what scary wild animals might be lurking out there?”
She was more concerned about the scary male lurking right here. “I was fine,” she repeated. “I had Leo with me and I’m sure he could be pretty fierce if the need arose. Besides that, I always carry bear spray.”
“Which wouldn’t have been particularly useful if you had fallen into the creek, unless a bear fell in at the same time.”
Okay, there was some truth to that, but she refused to live her life in fear. About exploring the Currant Creek backcountry, anyway.
“Nothing happened. Here I am, safe and sound.”
She always felt very protected in the mountains around Hope’s Crossing, though she knew that feeling was likely illusory. A woman on her own could never be completely complacent of her safety. Her brother could probably tell her stories that would raise the hair on the back of her neck.
“That’s good. But seriously, call me next time. Or at least send me a text letting me know where you’re going so we have a starting point for a search if you don’t come back.”
With all the stress in her life, this was one more thing she didn’t want to worry about right now so she quickly changed the subject. “I like your swing.”
He gave her a long look, obviously aware of her transparent conversational ploy. Apparently, he decided to let it stand.
“I’ve always wanted one,” he answered. “A porch swing just seems to represent home to me. Somehow in base housing the opportunity never arose to put one in, and then we moved into a condo near the hospital for Kelli’s treatments and didn’t have a good spot. This is the first time I’ve ever had a front porch. I saw this swing while I was shopping for new bathroom light fixtures today and I couldn’t resist.”
She knew she shouldn’t find that so blasted endearing but she couldn’t seem to help it. The man continually surprised her. She was also more than a little touched, given their history, that he would open up and share something so personal with her.
“Want to give it a trial run with me?” he asked.
“Now, that sounds like a line.”
His low laugh sizzled down her spine. “No. This is a line. I’ve always dreamed of sitting on a porch swing on a lovely May evening with an even lovelier woman.”
“Nice. A little cheesy, but surprisingly effective.”
She saw the gleam of his teeth in the night as he smiled. “Is it?”
Her dog flopped onto the top step of the porch. Again, that warning voice told her to just say good-night and go home, where she was safe.
This didn’t seem a night for making wise choices. Before she could talk herself out of it, she took the final steps to the swing and sat down.
The chains rattled softly as he set the swing in motion and they moved gently there in the darkness, Leo’s panting and the night creatures peeping and humming and the rustling of the leaves against the porch for company.
“In case you’re wondering,” he said after a moment, “I’m not going to ask the obvious. If you’re nervous about tomorrow night, I mean.”
She made a face, though she knew he couldn’t see it. “Thank you. I appreciate your forbearance.”
He laughed softly and the swing moved forward, backward, forward. He was right; this was the perfect spot for a swing, looking out at the mountains.
“In answer to your unasked question, yes. I believe I’ve moved past nervous to scared as hell, venturing into what-was-I-thinking territory. In fact, at this point I’m beginning to think jumping into Currant Creek teeming with bears—and me with no bear spray—would be less intimidating.”
“You’ll be great,” he answered. “I’ve tasted your food, remember. You’ve got the stuff, Alexandra.”
Warmth burst through like a bright sunbeam. “I appreciate the vote of confidence. It helps take me just south of panic.”
“I’m still planning to be there at the opening. I’m looking forward to it.”
“No Ethan tomorrow?”
“No. Nick and Cheri are bringing him up Saturday morning and I’ll drive him back Sunday night. Only two more weeks of school and then he can come permanently.”