Sweet Fall

by Reina M. Williams

  Sunday, they’d met at church, and walked together to her uncle’s for Sunday supper. They’d talked Star Trek on the way over, and he’d gotten to see her with her family at the meal, observing how she teased them and listened to them. He and Jena had watched a movie with her teen cousin, Clara, while Tim and his wife had taken an afternoon stroll together. Then Jena had left, citing a phone appointment with her family in Arizona.

  Monday, he’d tried to catch Jena at Gallagher’s—Mrs. G said she came there every Monday night for a latte and dessert—but she hadn’t been there. He’d called her cell, but she hadn’t answered.

  Tuesday, he’d met with Luke and Tim and accepted their bid for the renovation project. Jena called him back but she hadn’t had time to talk.

  Wednesday, Mrs. G made him come for a walk, and they’d “happened” to run into Jena outside of Dolly’s bookshop, where Jena had been working on last-minute lighting for the soon-to-open shop. Mrs. G invited her to dinner, but Jena said she had more work to get to. Grant admired her work ethic.

  Thursday, he admired her for her caring, too, when he went to the county animal shelter to look at adoptable dogs and found Jena there volunteering. Together, they’d played with some of the dogs. He wasn’t ready to adopt, but they’d had fun, and Jena had agreed to meet him today, finally having a break of sorts in her schedule.

  So, here he was on Friday, with her as she finished some preliminary work on the renovation. As they finished some work. Together, they’d put on some music and, earlier in the day, helped Luke and Tim do some reconstruction work, carefully taking apart cabinets and woodwork, tossing what couldn’t be salvaged, preparing other piles for recycling and repurposing, and meeting with his architect on the project.

  Now, she’d safely capped some wiring, after having torn out others, getting ready to update the system next week. The wood floors were awaiting sanding and refinishing, the floor plan more open than it had been, and the kitchen and bath were ready for complete re-dos. Empty spaces to be filled in with new and old mixed together in a fresh combination.

  As he hoped this space, this openness, between him and Jena could be filled in with memories they’d had and would create.

  Luke and Tim had left, and Grant waited for her in the now-empty hall. He liked her even more than he had a week ago, but he wasn’t sure how she felt. Her teasing made him believe she liked him, and her making time for him shored that belief.

  “Okay,” she said, joining him as she hefted her duffle. She’d already taken off her coveralls and work gloves, and brushed out her hair.

  His core surged with heat. He reined himself in by taking a deep breath. “Can I take that for you?” he asked, motioning to her bag.

  She nodded. “I’m tired.”

  He also liked that she told him the truth about how she felt, even if so far it was about mundane topics. It was a start.

  They walked out into the chilly evening. She opened her truck and he set her bag inside. “So, see you at Gallagher’s?”

  “I’m hoping you’ll be up for a surprise instead. I’ve brought Gallagher’s to you.”

  She closed the car door with a metallic thump which echoed the dull beat of his heart at her unreadable silent response. She checked her phone then glanced into the darkening sky. The streaks of orange and blue soothed him in his wait.

  “You’ve got me for the next two hours.” She slid her phone into the pocket of her jeans.

  His chest warmed. “Right this way,” he said. He came close to touching her lower back as they walked. The almost-contact made him forget the chill and settle into this time with her. He knew she had tasks she could be doing, marks to check off on her list, and his chest expanded that she made this time for him, for them.

  Their footsteps crunched over fallen leaves, evidence of the waning of the year. But this was a new beginning as well, he hoped. A time to plant seeds that would bloom come spring.

  Across the yard, where he planned to have an extensive garden, lay the old barn. Light shone from its open doors.

  Jena slowed. “So, what are you planning...I mean...” She let out a breath.

  He touched her fingers. She turned to him. They just stood a moment, letting the light breeze float over them, the sounds of crickets and chirps and rustles whirling.

  “I’m planning a garden.” He swept his hand around. “Sometimes planning is needed. If you want certain things to grow, you’ve got to make the space for them and plant the right seeds.”

  Her lips upturned. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, a repeat performance of last Friday night. He grinned and grasped her hand.

  She tugged him forward. “What’s this surprise?”

  They strode into the barn. Lights had been strung on one side, and a table laid with a cloth and dinner. On the other side, a screen hung in front of his truck, which he’d driven in earlier.

  “Dinner and a drive-in movie.”

  She laughed. “Okay.” With a three-sixty turn, she seemed to take in the space with a quirk of her lips. “This also took planning.” She squeezed his hand. “And I’m ready to be spontaneous.”

  He led her to the table and held her chair. They sat and ate the dinner Mrs. G had sent over, a vegetarian bean soup and fresh challah bread, with a carafe of coffee.

  “I like how you respected my time this week, Grant. I like you.”

  His grin felt permanent. “I like you, too.”

  “I can tell.” She nodded and glanced around. Setting down her napkin, her expression turned serious. “I just...this all feels...really romantic. And I don’t know if I’m ready for that. How I feel around you, it’s a lot.”

  “Yeah?” he asked with a waggle of his brows. He noticed she liked to use humor to keep away from conflict, and he could do that too. Teasing wasn’t always hurtful. He liked Jena’s gentle ribbing.

  She shook her head, but her sly expression said it was in a he’s cute way. “Yeah.” She grasped his hand across the small table. “When I feel this connected to people, it can lead to...drama. I’m getting better about that, and I don’t want that with you.”

  Her willingness to get this vulnerable made him as soft as the insides of the marshmallow candies he had stashed in his truck. “I believe we can complement each other. We’re just at the beginning. If you want to take it slowly, we can.”

  “Slow and steady...”

  “Wins. Gotcha. I just want to be in it with you.”

  She worried at her lip for a moment. “Can we start by enjoying the night? I’m too tired to make big decisions.”

  “Of course. Your enjoyment awaits,” he said, standing and holding her chair.

  She grasped his hand again and they strolled to the truck.

  JENA COULDN’T QUITE believe all this. Grant had planned all this, for her, for them. Wait until she told John about it. He’d go gaga for the grand gesture. She’d find time to call him tomorrow, or maybe even tonight, off schedule. He’d be proud. Alice would be too, that Jena’d had fun.

  Grant helped her up into his truck bed, which was filled with pillows and bean bag chairs and blankets. There were bowls of snacks, too, including her favorite chocolate-covered marshmallows and candy-coated chocolates.

  “Have you been talking to people about me,” she asked as she settled into one of the seats.

  Grant plopped next to her. “You’ve come up in conversation. I hope you don’t feel I violated your privacy.”

  His earnest expression made her ease return. “I may have spoken to some people about you, too. In passing.”

  He mirrored her expression and leaned into the seat next to hers. They were so close now she could smell his sprucy, spicy scent. She held his hand. “What movie are we watching?”

  “Star Trek: First Contact.”

  “My favorite. At least of the next gen.”

  “I remember.”

  She glanced at him. Right, she’d mentioned it on their way to Uncle Tim’s on Sunday. She squeezed his hand again.
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br />   “Ready?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  And she was, ready to sit with him and enjoy this night that he’d planned, an experience for them both. Maybe even, as he’d said, a beginning.

  The party in her stomach got louder, and she just smiled. With Grant, she could begin to explore a new frontier.

  Chapter Seven

  Grant walked into Mrs. G’s office on Saturday evening with a grin.

  “I like to see you looking so happy,” she said, rising from her desk chair. It was one of those old oak ones with wheels, which made a friendly squeak as she moved. “It’s not just a look but a feeling?”

  “Yes, Jena’s meeting me for a walk in a few.” They’d had a good time last night, sitting close, watching the movie, sharing sugary snacks. He’d walked her to her car at the end of their time and gotten another cheek kiss, and giving one in return. It was a sweet ending to a night that could’ve gone sideways, but had moved them forward instead.

  “I approve. I also invite you to stay longer, as long as you like. It’d be good for you to be here, overseeing your project. And I like having someone in the house. Not getting any younger.” She motioned to her short silver hair.

  Now he knew she was up to something. She was as independent as they came. But he didn’t object to what was behind her invitation, which was to get him and Jena together more. “I see through this, you know.”

  She leaned against her desk. “No, I don’t know. If you’re seeing through the air, you know we all can.” She waved her hand between them, a grin punctuating her small rounded face.

  “Okay, you win.”

  “Now you’re talking.” She walked to him and wound her arm under his, escorting him to the kitchen, which was even busier than the dining area. “Now, we’ve got those appetizers ready to go. Thanks for walking them to Dolly’s.”

  “Anything for you.” Apparently, that even included letting her meddle in his love life. He’d known something was up when she’d invited him to town, praised Jena, and arranged for him meet her instead of Luke or Tim. He wasn’t one to turn away a possibility, especially as Mrs. G seemed to have successfully meddled in his brother’s love lives.

  He took the large case by its handles and bent to kiss Mrs. G’s cheek. “Be there or be square.” He’d see her soon at Dolly’s bookshop opening.

  “Never. I’m a round peg in this square hole.”

  He smiled and wove his way to the back door.

  Once he’d dropped off the appetizers at Dolly’s new bookshop, Two Doors Down, he walked to Careys’, a general store that also served ice cream. But he didn’t go in. Instead, he looked around, but not seeing Jena, he crossed the street to the river boardwalk, where the setting sun illuminated the bare trees along the bank and full evergreens in the distance. He shoved his hands in his pockets. The temperature was dropping fast.

  “Good evening.” Jena. She had a low, almost serious tone most of the time that he already recognized.

  He turned to her. His lips quirked. It seemed like they both had the same uniform of sorts: boots, jeans, and a sweater. He was making some big leaps, having only known her a week. Still, a connection was there.

  “Hey, did you get your to-dos checked off?” he asked.

  “Yeah. How was your unplanned day?”

  “Good. Got a lot done. Want to walk? My brother Dean said there’s a great sunset view from the hill by his cottage.”

  She nodded and they ambled down the boardwalk along the river. The water rushed, as if it knew it needed to make the most of its time before winter covered it in ice. Another reminder to seize the day.

  Jena glanced at him when they reached the street. Her gaze seemed to hold a question. “A sunset walk...this is feeling pretty romantic.” Her directness made him smile.

  “It doesn’t have to feel that way. How do you want it to feel?”

  They continued across the street then turned up a narrow trail toward his brother’s cottage.

  “I don’t know.”

  “How about we just walk together and see how it feels?”

  “You might’ve guessed that isn’t in my comfort zone.” She reached out and grasped his fingers. “But tonight, I’m going to challenge myself. It felt good to last night, and since you’ve been here.”

  He twined his fingers in hers. “This feels pretty right to me.” Their hands fit together as if they’d been holding hands for years. Warmth spread from his digits to his heart.

  They crested the hill and turned together to the shadowed landscape in the distance. Being with Jena was fun, different, and somehow comfortable.

  “So, maybe you could make the challenge ongoing, like part of your to-do list?” he asked.

  She grinned. He breathed out. He hadn’t said the wrong thing, but maybe something right.

  “I like that.” She turned to him. “I like you, Grant. I like how you make me feel safe and liked, I like the way you speak kindly, I like that you’re willing to take chances. I like that you’re willing to look silly, and sing Kenny and Dolly songs with me. I like that you wanted to make me breakfast, and that you didn’t give up because I’ve been busy and unsure.”

  He grasped both her hands in his, and waited to make sure there was nothing else she wanted to say.

  She squeezed his hands. “And I’m sorry for getting scared and wanting to only stay in my comfort zone. After a lot of thought, and a long talk with my brother last night, I’m ready to try stepping out, with you. If you want that too.”

  He kissed her hand. “Yes, I want that with you. I like you, in your comfort zone or out of it. You’re pretty and smart and fun. I like that you have goals and work toward them, and I like your to-do lists. Does this mean I get to be on them?”

  She laughed, and the sound made his chest expand. “Yeah, it does.”

  “Maybe you’d put ‘first kiss with Grant’ on today’s list?”

  Her smile turned sly and he leaned closer. “I can add it later.”

  Their lips met, first caressing, then pressing, trapping his breath before it turned heavy. He held onto her, and she placed her hands on his chest. The cold seemed distant with her warmth so close. Her fine hair was soft on his hand as he cupped her cheek. She returned his kiss with a firmness and pleasure that made his heart skitter like an excited colt in a wide meadow. Expansive. That was what being near Jena was. Full of possibility.

  She pulled back. “I like the way you kiss.”

  He grinned. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

  “Let’s try it again. It takes a lot of practice to get something just right.” She eased her fingers over his.

  His hand tingled along with his lips. Nodding, he leaned closer again and they embraced. Practice was perfect.

  Chapter Eight

  Jena sat with Grant on the bench watching the sun set. They leaned together, her head on his shoulder. To the side of the hill, the sounds of people flocking to Dolly’s bookshop opening party fluttered up to them.

  Her lips and limbs still ran with warmth from their kisses and her embracing of Grant and the possibility between them. And, she had a new sensation, something like lights turning on, from letting go of her fears. She could have her life, ordered and planned, and still explore new things, and new people.

  “How do you want me to introduce you to my brothers?” Grant asked.

  Jena had met the three who would be at the opening. “Just as Jena. Okay?”

  “Okay. Can I hold your hand while we’re there?”

  “Yes. We’re not a secret. I just don’t know what ‘we’ are yet.”

  “That’s fair. I want us to be a we.”

  “So do I.” Once again, Alice had been proven right. She smiled at how Alice would grin over the fact. “My friend Alice, who you’ll meet at the party, invited me to dinner with her family next weekend. She said I could bring a guest. Want to come?”

  “Yeah, thanks.” He kissed her forehead, and heat splashed over her.

&n
bsp; She edged closer to him. “How long are you staying in town?”

  “Until I need to get back.” He had a chuckle in his tone.

  “Testing me already?” She nudged his shoulder, only half-kidding.

  “Just teasing. I’ll be here at least a couple of weeks. Should I book my time now?”

  “How about a hike tomorrow?”

  “Make it a hike with lunch and another visit to my soon-to-be home, and it’s a deal.”

  “I’ll make it so.”

  “I like you, Jena Raines.”

  “I like you too, Grant Manning.”

  As the cold air swirled around them, they practiced one of Jena’s new favorite activities until it was time to get to the party.

  “HAPPY SIX-WEEK ANNIVERSARY,” Grant said when Jena opened her apartment door to him. After kissing her, he handed her the potted red geranium he’d held. “It’s from one of my grandpa’s plants.”

  She kissed him again in thanks and set the pot on her windowsill. They hadn’t seen each other in a few days, as he’d had to return to Manning Ranch to continue packing and taking care of business. They’d spent a lot of time together, though, either working on the renovation, or carrying out plans, or having a spontaneous date. They’d spent Thanksgiving week visiting their families, and attending a day of mourning vigil with Alice. Everyone had endorsed Grant as being good for Jena, and Jena for Grant. While everyone’s opinions didn’t matter, it was good to hear. And Alice teased that now they could double date sometimes. Jena approved of new ways to spend time with her loved ones.

  Grant was becoming one of those people. With each day Jena spent getting to know Grant, the surer she was that she wanted to be with him for the foreseeable future. He’d already expressed his certainty, but she’d still been hesitant to label their relationship. She wanted to be sure.