When You Look at Me (A Pleasant Gap Romance Book 2)

by Pepper Basham

  Her heart fluttered up into her throat as warmth gathered in her face.

  Henry looked utterly…enchanted. Her grin pierced her cheeks as she opened the door wider for him to enter. He always gave her his attention and care, complimenting her and showing such tender and specific regard, but this…this was new.

  “I…I…” He thrust the flowers forward, continuing to stare at her with wide eyes. “For you.”

  “Thank you, Henry.” She took the flowers and turned, feeling the cool air from in the hallway brush against her barren back. The warmth in her cheeks skyrocketed to boiling. Oh, she’d forgotten about that part of the dress. Maybe Henry wouldn’t notice the low cut.

  She spun around, and he jerked his gaze back to her face, his brows high.

  “Um…I’m trying to figure out what to wear to an engagement party at a place as fancy as the Harrison’s estate house.”

  “Don’t wear that one.”

  A sound like wounded animal slipped from behind her pout before she could catch it. Hadn’t he liked it? His expression seemed to suggest he did.

  “Not that you don’t look amazing.” He came forward and placed his palm against her bare shoulder, his touch sending all sorts of delightful zings through her. “You’re beyond dazzling.” His gaze begged for her understanding. “But I don’t think I should be able to have a coherent conversation with a single person in the room if you wore this gown for long.”

  She squeezed his hand. “You like it!”

  “I like you in it. Very much. Too much, actually.” The look he gave her through those long lashes didn’t appear anything like the timid Henry she’d met on that first day. In fact, the way his gaze darkened somehow sneaked in and stole her breath. “It’s inspiring some rather unruly thoughts, dove.”

  Those unruly thoughts transferred directly from his head to hers, and she vaulted at him, linking her arms over his shoulders and finding his lips with hers. They’d kissed plenty of times in their few weeks of being ‘girlfriend’ and ‘boyfriend’, as the paper-note box labeled them, but this one took a more passionate turn. His warm hands smoothed over her back, nearly puddling her to the floor. Her fingers pushed into his hair, drawing him closer, urging him to stay right where he was.

  A rush of fear twinged in her chest as the kiss lingered and intensified, but she played his tune for her in her mind, stilling the thoughts, embracing his touch.

  “This…this material is…” His words tumbled between them on broken air. “It…isn’t helping my unruly thoughts at all, I’m afraid.”

  “I think I like your unruly thoughts a little, Henry.” She reclaimed his mouth, and he groaned, tugging her more securely against him.

  One of his palms slid up her bare back to her neck, leaving delicious tingles in its wake. She wanted his attention, his kisses, his touch. He loved her. The right way. And she craved his nearness in every way. More and more. The music in her head switched to Chopin—his powerful Etude in C Major—heightening the power in their kiss.

  She pulled him close, intensifying the kiss, and he seemed to take the hint because his lips took a delightful detour to her ear. Oh heavens! She clung to the front of his shirt, requesting just a little more for a little longer.

  Suddenly, Eisley’s stories of her struggles to keep her relationship with Wes pure until marriage flooded back into her mind. Julia hadn’t fully comprehended the battle, but here, with this gentle man unfurling his well-tended passion on her, she was tempted to explore a physical closeness she’d never imagined desiring. Especially after all that had happened to her.

  Love made a difference. Henry’s way of caring for her healed her heart, and all she wanted was give back to him, to bathe in his affection.

  The word bathe brought up all sorts of pictures in her head, so she pulled back at the same time he did.

  “I can’t—”

  “I’m sorry—”

  He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. “You first.”

  “I think I understand your intimate ideas now.” She lowered her gaze and fanned her hand in front of her face. “I really like kissing you, Henry.”

  Such a beautiful smile spread across his face that she almost rewarded him with another kiss, which probably wasn’t the best idea, especially since her body was still humming so vibrantly from his touch that she hadn’t quite gathered her thoughts.

  “I can assure you, dove, the feeling is mutual.” He nodded, clearing his throat. “Extremely mutual.”

  How could she not love him? He made it so easy from one thoughtful act and gentle smile to the next. Sure, it helped that he kissed with as much purpose as he played the piano, but even apart from his quite swoon-worthy lips, he loved so well.

  “I…I know you’re not that much older than me, but I still can’t understand why you’re not taken already.”

  His brow crinkled. “Pardon?”

  “I mean, you’re all these wonderful things rolled up in a single man, and it just seems logical that you’re a prime candidate for some wonderful woman to snatch up.”

  “You don’t have to snatch. I’m readily giving my heart to you.”

  She chuckled. “And I’m not planning to let go of you, but…I’m just glad I’m the one, because I’ve never known anyone as kind and talented and funny and handsome as you, and I guess that’s why I’m so surprised you’re not—”

  He slid a step closer to her. “You think me handsome?”

  The rascally turn of his grin nearly distracted her from answering. “Of…of course I think you’re handsome. Why is that so surprising?”

  He shoved his hands into his pockets and continued to study her. “I’ve had many adjectives ascribed to me in the past, but neither funny nor handsome has been one of them.”

  Her brow creased, and she pressed a finger into his chest. “Well, you should have heard it by now, and I’m sorry you haven’t, because it’s true. And…and you’ve helped me see that when we’re viewed through the right eyes, then we can have a whole new perspective about ourselves.”

  He traced a finger down her cheek. “I like your perspective, and you’re right, it’s easy to allow the wrong people to define us if we’re uncertain of who we are or who we should be in the first place. You and your family have helped me gain a better view, a clearer one.”

  “We have?”

  “I’ve spent my life allowing others to measure me, direct me, and I’ve never defined myself by God’s assertion of who I am. You and your family have helped me see that I am more than I thought I was.” He returned his hand to his pocket, the memory of his touch leaving tingles across the skin of her cheek. “Being quiet, introverted, somewhat obsessive about music, and quite…um…put off by social interaction on a grander scale is not necessarily a liability. God can still use me as I am, but also, He can make me brave enough to become better. I can change and grow as I gain confidence in who He says I am and can be.”

  She blinked up at him, a little stunned by his declaration. “My crazy, loud family taught you that?”

  “Well, if your father doesn’t instill bravery through intimidation, I don’t know who would.”

  Her laugh erupted again, spilling the sweetness of their connection afresh through her. How was she supposed to just allow him to disappear back to England in nine days? “A true statement born from real life experience.”

  “Indeed. I’m thankful for your family, father and all.” His smile softened. “Why don’t you finish enjoying your lovely discovery”—he gestured toward her gown— “while I take Rose for a little trip to the piano room until either she needs you or you’re finished?”

  Julia raised on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I think I love you, Henry Wright.”

  She froze as soon as her heels touched the floor. Had she announced that out loud or only in her head? Henry’s gaze fixed on hers, intense and searching.

  Oh, what did she do now? An apology didn’t seem right. In fact, it would be a lie. She wasn’t really sorry.
She almost laughed. No, she wasn’t sorry at all.

  He gathered her fingers into his before returning his gaze to hers. “I know I love you, Julia Jenkins.”

  His grin broadened as he stood a little straighter. Had her confession done that? She reached for the chain around her neck, a shiver of delight almost emerging in a giggle.

  “And because I love you, I’m going to take my unruly thoughts to the music room and leave you to your discoveries.” He slipped over to Rose and took her into his arms, cradling her against his shoulder. “I feel quite certain Rose will enjoy a sound lashing of Liszt.”

  Great with kids. Sweet. Romantic. Loves music. Great kisser.

  Yep, he was a keeper. Julia sighed as the door closed behind him. The tune from South Pacific surged into her thoughts. I’m in love with a wonderful guy.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Henry met Julia’s gaze from across the table at the Jenkinses Sunday lunch, and his thoughts spun back through countless memories from the previous week. From movie night watching the classic Amadeus—which no one he knew wanted to watch with him—to Julia in the Blue Fairy gown and the most epic kiss of his entire existence, to playing four-hands piano pieces to Rose after the bakery closed for the night. How did a heart hold so much at once? It was like all of his favorite Bach compositions played through him at the same time until he was bound to explode from sheer joy.

  Julia and Rose helped him see what family could look like one day—his family.

  And God had brought them to him? Beethoven’s Ode to Joy burst through the Bach in blaring fullness.

  And Julia loved him. He’d replayed that moment a thousand times.

  “It’s a shame you gotta leave in a few days, Henry,” Nate announced from the head of the table. “I got a roof to shingle and could use a good helper.”

  “Don’t trust him, Henry.” Eisley’s pronouncement cut through the cacophony of children’s chatter at the other end of the table. “He’s only asking so he can smack your thighs afterward.”

  Henry opened his mouth to respond, but the thigh-slapping talk stole his response.

  “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a man lookin’ for some good help.”

  “Shingling a roof really does a job on your thighs, Henry,” Greg added, passing a plate of meatloaf Henry’s way. “I could barely walk for three days.”

  “It’s ‘cause you’re too busy playing with animals instead of helpin’ your old man.” Nate gestured for the beans sitting in front of Henry then winked as the bowl made it into his hands. “My young’uns ruin all the fun by tellin’ you my secrets, Henry. I was lookin’ forward to seein’ if you could squall as good as you fiddle.”

  Henry’s gaze slid to Wes for interpretation. Wes leaned in. “I suppose he means if he slaps your sore thigh, you’ll cry out.”

  At the mental image of the Jenkins patriarch slapping sore thighs for the fun of it, Henry lost control of his laugh. Nate was a singular sort whose unique personality had somehow wormed its way into Henry’s affections. A diamond in the rough, so to speak.

  “I hate to have an excuse for it, Nate.”

  “Sure you do.” He exaggerated his eye roll and took a bite of his meatloaf and beans.

  “So, Dad.” The mischievous glimmer in Eisley’s eyes caught Henry’s attention. “Why on earth did you place Henry and Julia across the table from each other. They’re dating. They should be able to sit next to each other.”

  “I told your mama.” He waved his fork toward Kay, who raised a humored brow to her husband. “The two of them are around each other enough as it is. The last thing we need is them being all lovey dovey at the table and making me sick enough to ruin this fine meatloaf here.”

  “I completely agree, Nate.” Wes shot Henry a wink as he raised a bite of potatoes to his mouth. “This way we’ll only have to ignore their adoring stares at each other across the table.”

  Julia’s smile kept growing as they shared the open enjoyment of their relationship with those gathered around the table. Awkward, yes? But it fit what he’d come to expect from this massive, loud, and loving family.

  And somehow, he knew he belonged now. Even to the patriarch.

  “Oh, good grief. I see it happening right before my eyes.” Nate groaned and placed his head in his hands as if to block the vision.

  “Perhaps I can help distract you, Nate.”

  All eyes turned to Henry, and he sat up a little taller, adjusting to the sudden attention. “Julia mentioned you enjoy the music of Indiana Jones and Superman. Well, I’ve composed a four-hands piano piece in your honor—similar feel to those two compositions.”

  Nate’s dark brows crashed together. “A four hands what?”

  “It’s a piece of music that requires four hands to play.”

  Nate’s brow shot to his hairline.

  “A duet, Dad. A piano duet.” Julia sent Henry a half-hidden grin. “Henry and I will play it for you.”

  “You wrote a duet in honor of me?” Nate stared so hard at Henry that Henry thought the man had finished talking—until he finally filled the long silence. “Why on earth would you do that?”

  Henry’s smile unfurled. He’d made an impression on Nate Jenkins. “Big emotions and big personalities are best described through music, Nate. Superman? Indiana Jones? I think you deserve your own musical theme.”

  “Oh dear,” Kay murmured. “There’ll be no living with him now.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Nate sat beside his wife in the large den as Henry and Julia took their places at the piano. Julia looked beautiful—happier, Nate thought, than even before…

  He pushed the thought of what had happened to his daughter nine months ago from his mind. Her face lit when she looked at Henry, and the boy’s expression didn’t hide one bit of his care for Nate’s girl. Not one.

  If Nate were a good daddy he’d take Henry in with a full heart. He might not have chosen Henry for Julia, but—he sighed—he’d have chosen the wrong sort. God knew better.

  In the middle of the music—the type that made a man feel like he needed to journey on an adventure—the melody changed to something almost…sweet. Julia played that part. High notes. Gentle-like, pulling from a bluegrass feel. She turned toward him and winked. “It’s what we all know is way down deep on the inside, Dad.”

  He cleared his throat and nodded but his eyes burned anyway. Daggone it. Between the thoughts of God’s hand on Julia’s life in this way and the music her sweet-talkin’ boyfriend composed in honor of Nate, Nate was about ready to run from the room and cry like a baby. He’d better go chop down a tree instead. Get the energy out.

  If he could make it through the duet.

  “He’s real good for her, Nate,” Kay whispered, her head almost touching his shoulder as she moved closer.

  The lump in his throat grew three sizes, so he only nodded.

  “He’s one of the kindest men I’ve ever seen, and that’s one of the things we’ve always wanted for our kids. That they’d find someone who shows them kindness and God’s love. Henry does that for her.”

  His teeth clenched so hard they started to hurt his jaw. Then he made the mistake of looking over at Kay, who had baby Rose resting in her arms.

  “And we need to prepare ourselves for…for that,” Kay whispered down at the sleeping baby, and Nate wanted to rip his own eyes out.

  That meanin’ Julia and Rose might choose a home across a very large ocean.

  The music grew again, bringing back the sound of the brave adventurer, and he studied the profiles of the two in front of him, his arm lowering to Kay’s shoulders. He couldn’t imagine life without her by his side. Growing up, he hadn’t known the type of closeness her family had. His home had been filled with unpredictable affection and harsh words, but she’d breezed in like cool change on a hot day. She’d shown him what love looked like. Taught him how to be brave, even when faced with the troubles of life.

  How to be brave.

  He looked back at Julia and firmed
his chin. Even when letting go.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  J ulia kept close to Henry as they navigated the foot-traffic at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Wes had offered to bring him, but Julia wanted to soak up every second with Henry—even if it meant pushing through the crowds of a busy airport teeming with passengers and pilots and flight attendants rushing to and fro between terminals. She would take whatever minutes with Henry she could get. She’d never loved a man like this and certainly didn’t have any experience with being separated from one, but already a quiet ache gnawed through the magic of their comradery.

  Were they to become one of those couples who grappled then failed with the challenges of long-distance relationships? Surely not. But maybe…She pressed her palm against Rose’s head, as if to stop her doubts from transferring to her daughter as she lay cocooned against Julia in the baby wrap.

  Henry looked down at her, and she saw the same hesitation reflected in his eyes.

  For some reason, this separation also felt a little like a test. A proof to her own heart, in a way, that this was more than a passing romance.

  “Three months isn’t so long, is it?” He cleared his throat and paused before the SECURITY sign, staring at the long lines making their steady way through.

  “Not so long,” she whispered. “I’ve heard England is beautiful in June.”

  His gaze swung to hers. Held. “It is. Absolutely. I can’t wait to show you.”

  She smiled and looked over at the lines, working up the courage to say good-bye when all she wanted to do was beg him to stay.

  “We’ll sort out a calling schedule straight away.”

  “My current sleeping pattern will probably fit right in with the time change.” She grinned, blinking away unwanted tears.

  Without warning, he took her face between his palms and kissed her, in the middle of the airport. She braided her fingers through his hand to keep him there. He pulled back only far enough that his forehead rested against hers.