“I wondered if you’d make it today,” Jefferson said from behind her.
She jumped at the sound of his voice. “Sneak up much?” she asked, turning to face him.
“Sorry.” He grinned sheepishly. “Everyone’s outside. Even my parents.”
“Thanks again for helping with Milo the other day.”
She followed him into the kitchen and let him open the door for her to go outside.
“No problem.” He leaned down. “And your secret is safe with me,” he said softly.
Summer nodded. “It had better be.” She waved to her dad, who stood next to the grill. He must’ve talked Mom into letting him do the cooking today.
“Hey baby doll,” Dad said, kissing her cheek. “Where’s that son-in-law of mine?”
“Sorry he couldn’t make it,” she said. “You know how crazy things can get.”
“Did he have to work?” Dad asked.
Before she could answer, Jefferson jumped in. “That smells delicious. I think you could get a job at Five Guys if you tried.”
Dad laughed. “Thanks, but I believe I’d prefer to keep my amateur status.”
Summer shot Jefferson a silent thanks. “I’d better go say hi to Gram.” She hurried toward her grandmother, leaving Jefferson to talk to her dad.
She bent down and hugged Gram’s neck. “Hi there.”
Gram smiled and patted the seat next to her at the patio table. “Have a seat, hon.”
“It’s a beautiful day for this, isn’t it?” Summer glanced around the spacious backyard.
Gram raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you try to make small talk with me. Where is your husband, and why did it look like you came out here with Jefferson?”
Summer felt the heat rise up her face. She’d known Gram wouldn’t miss anything but hadn’t bargained on her broaching the subject so soon. “Jefferson and I ran into each other in the foyer.”
“He must’ve been waiting on you then, because this is the first I’ve seen of him.”
Summer shook her head. “I’m sure it was a coincidence. He probably arrived right before I did.”
“And Luke?”
Summer couldn’t lie to her grandmother. Besides, knowing Gram was praying about the situation would give her a lot of comfort. She quickly filled Gram in on what was going on.
“No one else in the family needs to know though. I feel sure we’ll get everything all worked out in no time.”
Gram gripped her hand. “I’m sorry to hear this, honey. Do you know how Luke is holding up?”
Summer furrowed her brow. “This was his decision. He’s the one who felt the need to pack a bag and go.”
“But honey, I know how much he loves you. You’ve practically been his whole world since he was a teenager. Being without you must be killing him.”
Summer scowled. “I’m sure he’s fine. If not, I would’ve heard from him by now.” Gram’s words made her feel guilty. As if this were her fault. She’d certainly not wanted this to happen.
“Okay. Well, keep me posted. I’ll be praying for a quick reconciliation.”
Summer leaned over and kissed her grandmother on the cheek. “Thanks,” she whispered.
“Anyone over here up for a little volleyball?” Mitch asked, walking over to the table where Summer and Gram sat. “How ‘bout it, Gram? You in?” He displayed a dimple that had been making girls swoon since he was in junior high.
Gram chuckled. “I believe I’ll sit this one out. Maybe next time.”
Summer joined in her laughter. “I’m in.” She followed Mitch out to the section of beach behind the house.
Jefferson waved as she walked up. “Well, well. I didn’t think Mitch could talk you into playing.”
She slipped her sandals off and grimaced at him. “I happen to be a stellar athlete. I could practically be on the Olympic team.”
Mitch tossed her the ball. “I forgot how competitive you were.” He shook his head. “Or maybe it’s more like I blocked it out.”
“You’re just mad that your sister used to beat you at everything,” Jefferson taunted.
Summer cocked her head. “Not everything. Mitch always beat me at Ping-Pong.”
“Of course. Because Ping-Pong requires such athleticism.”
Mitch glared at Jefferson. “I don’t remember you being crowned Athlete of the Year in high school either.”
Summer threw the ball at Mitch. “Okay, you two. Enough. I think we’ve established that I was the sportiest one of the three of us. Tell me again…how did y’all feel about always getting beat by a girl?”
“That was years ago. Everything’s different now.” Jefferson winked. “Besides, if I remember correctly, you are a little older than us. So let’s see if you can still keep up.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m only a month older than you. I doubt that gives you much of an advantage.”
Preston and two of the neighbors walked up.
“Let’s do this,” Preston said.
They quickly divided into teams.
She took her place in front of the net. Every year for as long as she could remember, they’d all played beach volleyball at her parents’ cookout. She and Luke always made sure to be on the same team. She blinked back unexpected tears. What was Luke doing today? Did he miss being here with her?
She looked up to see Jefferson’s eyes on her from his spot directly across the net.
“You okay?” he mouthed.
She nodded and quickly wiped her eyes. She turned to look at Preston who stood ready to serve the ball. “Let’s go.” She clapped her hands and got into position.
Nothing like a little fake enthusiasm to chase the blues away.
Chapter 24
Ashley pulled into Justin’s parents’ driveway and put the car in PARK. She had butterflies the size of eagles in her stomach. She knew it was probably way too soon for a “meet the parents” situation, but when Justin had asked her over for a cookout, she hadn’t been able to resist.
Their date on Saturday night had been perfect. She’d enjoyed Colton’s antics and had especially liked watching how Justin interacted with the child. After dinner they’d gone to Folly Beach and collected shells.
Ashley didn’t allow herself to dream about the future anymore, but Saturday night had given her a glimpse of what a life with Justin might be like. And it would be a good life.
But it was way too early to be thinking long term. She knew she needed to slow down. After her divorce, she’d been certain she’d never have feelings for anyone ever again. And even though she and Justin had gotten off to a rocky start, she knew he had all the qualities she’d been looking for.
“Hey there,” Justin said, walking out to meet her in the driveway. “I thought you were just gonna sit in your car all day.”
“Sorry.”
“Nervous?” He raised his eyebrows.
She shrugged. “A little bit. What if your parents hate me?”
He shook his head. “No way. But don’t worry. I told them we’ve only just met. No one is going to ask you any tough questions.” He grinned mischievously. “They’ll save that until the second time you come out.”
“Second time? What makes you think there’ll be a second time?” she asked teasingly.
He put a hand on the small of her back and guided her through the front door. “Wishful thinking,” he said softly.
A shiver of excitement ran up her spine. He was a keeper—she just knew it.
Justin nodded his head at the patio door. “They’re out back.”
She followed him outside and glanced around. A small crowd stood around the grill and another group around a swimming pool where Colton was splashing around, clad in green swim trunks and a baseball cap. His pudgy little belly was so cute, it was all Ashley could do not to go lift him out of the pool and blow raspberries on it until he laughed.
“Everyone, this is Ashley.” Justin slung an arm around her shoulder. “Ashley, this is everyone.”
Once she
had made the rounds and met his relatives, she settled into a chair near the pool. Justin’s family didn’t make a big fuss over her. Instead, they made her feel right at home. After three years of barely seeing her own family, it was nice to be around what was obviously a tightly knit group.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Justin’s mom asked, taking the seat next to her.
She smiled. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for having me over.”
“We’re glad to have you,” Mrs. Sanders said. “Justin never brings girls to the house. I think he’s afraid we’ll embarrass him.”
Ashley chuckled. It felt good to hear that she wasn’t one of many. Maybe it meant he thought she was special if he’d been willing to risk embarrassment for her.
Colton squealed as Justin sprayed him with the water hose. He bent down and splashed water at Justin.
Justin grabbed a towel and scooped the laughing child up in it.
“They love each other to pieces,” Mrs. Sanders remarked. “Justin would raise Colton as his own if he could.”
Ashley found the situation puzzling to say the least. From what Justin had told her Saturday night, Colton’s mom wasn’t neglectful, but she wasn’t very engaged in the child’s life either. Still, Colton seemed pretty well adjusted. “I know. He’d make a great dad.” As soon as the words escaped her lips, she wished she could take them back. Scary girl who only just met you wants to have babies with your son.
But Mrs. Sanders smiled. “He sure will.”
“Hey, you two,” Justin called to them. “You’d better not be talking about me.”
His mom stood. “Don’t flatter yourself. We have far more interesting things to talk about.” She gave Ashley a wink. “I’d better go see if Jim needs help with the grill.”
An hour later the food was almost all gone. “It was delicious,” Ashley said to Justin’s dad as she tossed her paper plate in the garbage.
“Glad you liked it,” he said.
Justin lifted his empty glass. “I’m going to get more Coke. Do you want anything?”
Ashley shook her head. “Nope. I’m fine.”
He looked her up and down. “You sure are.”
She felt the blush rise up her face. “Shh. They’ll hear.”
“Sorry. I just call it like I see it.”
It had been so long since a guy she liked gave her a compliment. She loved Justin’s obvious appreciation for the way she looked. “Thanks.”
“Why don’t y’all get out of here for a little while?” Justin’s mom asked. “Colton is down for his nap, and we’ll be glad to watch him if he wakes up.”
Justin raised his eyebrows at Ashley. “Sound good to you?”
She nodded. “Sure.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Justin kissed Mrs. Sanders on the cheek. “We’ll be back soon.” He put a hand on the small of Ashley’s back and led her inside the house.
“So where are we going to go?” she asked.
He thought for a second. “How about I show you a piece of my childhood? You mind walking?”
“I could certainly use some exercise after that meal.” She chuckled.
“Whatever. I think you’re perfect.”
She beamed. “Thanks.” She followed Justin out the front door. Once they got to the end of the driveway, he took her hand.
“This okay?” he asked. “Or are you not a hand holder?”
She laughed. “It’s more than okay.” And it was. The way herhand felt in his was so comforting, so normal. It was almost as if they’d been doing it their whole lives.
They walked in silence for a few moments.
“Thanks for being so understanding about Colton,” Justin said finally. “I was a little nervous that you’d be weirded out about it.”
She squeezed his hand. “I think it’s fantastic. Honestly. I can’t imagine many guys so willing to rearrange their lives for a kid who isn’t even theirs.”
“You make me sound like some kind of saint. I’m certainly not.”
“So tell me your flaws.”
Justin took a deep breath and blew it out. “You really want to know? I don’t want to chase you off so soon.”
She giggled. “Try me.”
“I forget to put the top on the toothpaste. I eat a lot of takeout because I’m a terrible cook. I never ask for directions. And I have kind of a tender heart.”
“How’s that one a flaw?”
He bumped his shoulder against hers. “I cry at stuff. I know it’s not manly. Weddings. Movies. Even big sporting events. Some girls hate that. And my friends make fun.”
“A sensitive man. I didn’t know those existed except for in books and movies.” She grinned. “I won’t hold any of that against you, I promise.”
“Good to know.” He motioned toward a park. “Here we are.” Justin led her through the gate and onto a sidewalk that wound around the park. “I can’t tell you how many hours I spent here growing up.”
“Looks like paradise.” The giant trees scattered along the perimeter of the park were heavy with Spanish moss. The lush, green grass conjured up images of running barefoot and picnics and all the things that made summertime special.
Justin tugged on her hand. “Come on.” They walked past a water fountain to a set of bleachers in front of a deserted baseball field. “After you,” he said.
She climbed the bleachers and sat down.
“I learned to hit a baseball right there,” Justin said, sitting down next to her and pointing at home plate. “My dad coached my T-ball and Little League team. This is where we practiced and played.”
“I’ll bet you were adorable in your little uniform.”
He blushed. “My mom thought so.” He chuckled. “She came out here every day with a cooler of cherry Kool-Aid and those little paper cups.” He pointed at an old wooden dugout. “She’d set it up in there, and by the time we got finished, we’d all have red Kool-Aid mustaches.”
“Sounds like a perfect childhood.” Ashley’s own parents had split up when she was in kindergarten. Her dad hadn’t been in the picture, and her mom had always been too busy searching for her own “happily ever after” to worry too much about her only child.
“Some people might think my parents were too involved in my life, but I realize now how blessed I was. And still am.”
She tilted her head and admired his blue eyes. “Is that why Colton’s so important to you?”
Justin nodded. “I’ve always wanted a family of my own. Since I was a kid. Most guys are looking for freedom andmaking conquests. I’ve always prayed that God would lead me to the kind of woman who would make a good partner and who wanted a family as much as me.”
Her heart fluttered. She’d looked for that same thing. Prayed for the same thing. But had settled for Brian. She’d been terrified that he was her only shot at marriage and family. And when it didn’t work out, she’d assumed that real happiness wasn’t in the cards for her. “That’s an amazing dream. Most guys are so worried about being successful, they don’t give much thought to their family life.” She squeezed his hand. “At least the guys I’ve met, up until now.”
Justin locked eyes with her. He reached out and traced the back of his hand along her face. “I’m going to kiss you now. And it’s going to mean something.”
She gave him a tiny smile and leaned forward to meet his lips. The kiss was soft at first. Tentative. It grew deeper, more passionate, and by the time she pulled back, they were both breathless.
“Well then,” Justin murmured. “That was…” He trailed off.
“Nice?” she asked.
He burst out laughing. “I guess that’s one way to put it. I was hoping for something a little more enthusiastic.”
She wanted to keep her enthusiasm to herself, at least for the time being. The last guy she’d kissed had been her husband. And there’d been a time she thought those kisses were pretty great.
But they didn’t compare to kissing Justin.
“How about amazing?”
He nodded. “Amazing will do.”
“Well, how would you describe it?”
He took her hand. “I’d say that was the best kiss I’ve had in all of my twenty-nine years on earth.”
Ashley almost fell off of the bleachers. Twenty-nine? He was only twenty-nine? Her heart—that had been so full of hope for their budding romance—dropped.
She knew herself. And at thirty-six, she knew there was no way she could date someone who hadn’t even reached the thirty milestone yet.
No way.
Even if she’d never been kissed quite like that before.
Luke pulled into the driveway at his house. Disappointment washed over him at the sight of Summer’s empty parking space. He’d hoped she’d be home by now.
Her parents’ traditional Memorial Day party must’ve run long, because usually Summer was aching to get away from their house. Although maybe she wasn’t looking forward to coming home to an empty house. Just like he hated going to the quiet loneliness of the boat.
He let himself into the house and turned off the alarm. At least she’d started remembering to set it.
Milo looked up from his spot on the couch. The big dog rose and stretched. He padded over to Luke and looked up at him.
Luke knelt down and gave Milo a pat. “Hey, boy.
Have you missed me?”
Milo sank lower onto the floor and rolled onto his back.
Luke scratched Milo’s stomach, and the dog wriggled with happiness. “Let’s go outside and take care of the yard.”
Mowing the yard made him think of meeting Summer for the first time. He couldn’t help but grin to himself. His buddies had told him that someone like her would never go for a guy like him, but he’d been smitten from the first time he saw her.
They’d started out as friends. He’d looked forward to the weekly visit to her grandmother’s house, because after a few weeks, Summer was always there. She’d bring him something cold to drink, and after he’d finished working, they’d sit on the porch and talk about books and music and what they wanted to do with their lives.
“Someday you’re going to hear my songs on the radio,” Luke told her.
Summer gave him a slow smile. “I’d be your biggest fan.”
A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina Page 14
