“We did,” Jamie answered.
The way the corner of his mouth kicked up combined with the heat Jessica saw in his eyes brought back the memory of being with him. Feeling his weight on her, the passion in every heated kiss. Oh, gosh, I am breathing hard again.
He squeezed her arm. She saw the recognition of her heady state in his eyes and had to look away. She handed Vera the wildflowers to distract herself from thinking of Jamie.
“I picked these for you.”
“Aren’t they lovely. Thank you, Jessica.”
“I’ll get a vase.” Jamie went inside the cottage and Jessica sat across from Vera.
“It’s going to be a beautiful day. Do you and Jamie have plans?” Vera asked.
“No, we don’t.” She just realized this was true, and yet it felt like a given that they’d do something together.
Jamie brought out a vase full of water and arranged the flowers in it. “There you go. What do you want to do today, Gram?”
“I’m still a little tired, so I’m going to sit and read for a while. Why don’t the two of you go do something fun?” She smiled up at Jessica.
Jessica recognized the matchmaking Jamie had mentioned, and when she glanced at Jamie she knew he felt it, too.
He touched her shoulder. “Do you like to bike?”
“Bike? Gosh, I haven’t been on a bicycle since I was little.” She honestly couldn’t remember how long it had been, but she had a vague memory of riding a bike before the cello took up all her free time.
“Oh, Jamie. Good idea. Jessica can use one of ours.” Vera patted Jessica’s leg. “It’s like reading music. It’ll come right back to you.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Jamie loaded the bikes on the rack on the back of his car, and they drove down to Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. The glass and brick building was built just off of Route 6, with a large amphitheater off to the side.
“Have you been here before?” Jamie took her hand as she stepped from the car.
“No. Other than one weekend trip as a teenager, this is the only time I’ve been to the Cape.” The air smelled like wet earth and sulfur. “What’s that smell?”
“Nauset Marsh. It’s behind the building. Let’s go inside before we ride. This is something you shouldn’t miss. I come every year, even though I’ve seen everything a million times.”
His hands were big and slightly calloused, manly and strong, like him. She loved how her hand felt in his. He had on a pair of army-green cargo shorts and a white tee, and he looked like every one of the words Bella had used to describe Caden. Only better.
“Did the girls grill you this morning?” he asked.
“A little, but it was obvious that they were just looking out for you. Especially Bella.”
He held open the door to the visitor center. “Bella’s protective of everyone, but her bark is worse than her bite.”
The atrium of the visitor center was spacious and busy with people milling about, talking to the forest rangers behind the information desk and hovering over a diorama of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem in the center of the room. The glass back wall offered a spectacular view of Nauset Marsh. Jamie led Jessica through the atrium and down a hallway.
“There’s a bookstore we can check out afterward.” He nodded to a small bookstore as they passed, but continued walking through a set of heavy wooden double doors. “This is my favorite exhibit.”
They walked into a small museum, with stuffed birds and other animals perched around the room. There were articles and artifacts detailing the changes in boating, industry, and other aspects of the Cape’s seafaring heritage. It was fascinating, and Jamie didn’t rush her through, even though he’d seen it many times. He stood patiently beside her while she looked at each exhibit, and when they finally made it to the bookstore, which also served as a gift shop, he bought his and hers key rings engraved with their names on one side and an outline of the lower Cape on the other. He gave Jessica the one that said Jamie.
“Now you’re branded.” He kissed her softly.
She loved that he’d given her something so simple and so meaningful.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I am, too.” He put the one with her name on his key ring and then ran his finger down her cheek. “I figured that since you grew up under an iron thumb, you probably never had much time for these types of boyfriend/girlfriend things.”
“I never even had a real boyfriend in high school.” She’d been too busy practicing.
“Well, I know it’s silly, but every girl should experience things that let them know how special they are. Even if it’s about ten years later than what’s typical.”