Flynn(15)

They both went to the floor with tea towels at the same time. He leaned over and kissed her again. How could this be happening? Her falling for Emily’s father. Her kissing him. It all had to be a dream. A very nice dream, but one all the same.

“Daddy.”

They pulled away again when they heard Emily’s voice in the hallway.

“Yes, honey we’re in here doing dishes,” called Flynn.

They stood, each giving one another side way glances as Emily stood before them, out of breath, her plump cheeks red blotchy from being outside in the cold.

“Uncle Rory said to tell you he’s put more hay in for the calf as it’s cold tonight.”

“Okay, honey. And now say goodnight to Natalie and off you go to bed.”

“Night Natalie.”

“Goodnight, sweet dreams.”

She so wanted to kiss her and hug her but had to fight the urge.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she called after her. She turned to Flynn. “And I really should be going, but thank you for the meal.”

“I’ll walk you out to your car,” he said.

Flynn got her coat down from the peg in the hallway and held it for her. He grabbed his jacket, slung it around his shoulders and opened the front door.

“The roads around here aren’t well lit. Will you be able to find your way back in the dark?” he asked when they got to the driveway.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Natalie,” he said putting his hand on her arm. “You’re not leaving suddenly because of what happened in the kitchen are you?”

That was exactly the reason. Not that she hadn’t enjoyed it, but right now so many things were going through her head that she needed time to process it all.

“No, no, I’m just tired.”

“Good, because maybe it was wrong of me to…”

She leaned over and kissed him, setting her hand on his cheek as she did so.

“Never, ever regret something like that.”

She smiled and got into her car.





Chapter Seven



Flynn glanced at Emily as they drove toward the motel to collect Natalie the following morning. He smiled remembering the night before all too well. The unexpected kiss with the woman he’d just met. The way his heartbeat speeded up when he’d held her body close to his own. The rush of blood throughout his body, but especially in his groin. He hadn’t felt anything quite like that in what seemed like a lifetime ago. This morning he felt like a plant that had been left to die, no water, no sunlight. Dry and decaying, but then some kind soul had come along and began tending to it again. Natalie made him feel like he was coming back to life.

Emily reached over and turned on the radio and began humming along. His daughter was one smart cookie. She’d noticed the lipstick smudged near his lips as soon as he’d walked into her room to say goodnight after Natalie had driven away. She’d also pointed out that it was the same color as Natalie’s. He’d blushed from the neck upwards feeling like a teenager caught by his parents.

That sort thing usually didn’t make feel uncomfortable, but with Natalie it somehow felt different. He’d only just met the young woman. And yes, she probably was a good fifteen years younger than him, but he was already smitten. Why had he thought of that word? Surely it was only his mother’s generation who’d used it. But smitten pretty much summed up how he felt.

“Can we eat lunch in Missoula?” asked Emily, suddenly stopping her humming.

“I think that’s a great idea,” said Flynn as he pulled the truck into the motel parking lot.

“You want to go up to the room and tell Natalie we’re ready. It’s Room 34. It’s on the second floor up there,” he said pointing.

She nodded. He knew she liked doing that sort of thing because it made her feel capable and grown up. The teacher at her school had told him that was important for a special needs child. He smiled as she rushed out of the truck and headed up the stairs.

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he listened to the radio but then he cringed when he heard Emily banging on the door so hard he heard it above the music. He’d told her lots of times about doing that, but she didn’t seem to listen. He hoped Natalie didn’t think someone was about to kick the door down and call the police.

He glanced up, just to check everything was okay, and saw Natalie now standing at the door. She waved to him. He blushed again, remembering their kiss by the sink and the way his body had quickly reacted.

A few minutes later Emily and Natalie were heading toward to the truck. Natalie with her arm through Emily’s and the two were chatting nonstop by the look of things. How perfect was this. A woman he liked and who actually enjoyed being with Emily.