“I understand. I’m being cautious too. But ice skating seemed like a good first date, so I said yes.”
“I’m so glad. I hope you two have fun.”
“That’s what Finn said too.”
“Finn?”
“Yeah. You know, tall, bossy, overprotective.”
“You told him about your date?”
“I kind of had to. He’d taken it upon himself to set an appointment for me at a car dealership for the same time I’m going out with Will.”
“Oh boy.”
“I know. It would’ve been nice if he’d asked me first.”
“How did he react about Will?”
Harper decided to leave out the part about Finn’s nickname for Will. “Surprised, mostly. I don’t think he’s used to the idea of me going out with someone else. His loyalty still lies with Blake.”
“Hmmm.”
“Hmmm, what?”
“Just wondering if that’s all there is to it.”
“What else would there be?”
“Oh, nothing. Never mind.”
But Julia had already set the wheels in motion. Great! Could be another sleepless night. Deciding that a change of subject was in order, Harper said, “So, you never did tell me about your date the other night.”
“That’s because there’s not much to tell.”
“Why are you being so secretive about this?”
“I’m not being secretive. I went out and had a couple drinks with the guy, and that was about it. I’m not even sure we’ll go out again.”
“Why? Didn’t you have a good time?”
“Yeah, we did. But that’s all this guy is about—a good time. And I’m not sure I want to get involved with a guy like that.”
“Are you attracted to him?”
“Oh, yeah. But that doesn’t mean he’s good for me. He’s kind of like a hot-fudge sundae—tempting but full of ingredients I shouldn’t have. At least, not on a regular basis.”
Harper laughed. “Good analogy!”
“Thanks. Anyway, I’ll let you get to sleep now. Just wanted to check in about Will.”
After they hung up, Harper shut off the phone and snuggled back under the covers. She started to pick up her book again but thought better of it. She’d been reading self-help books since Blake had died, and frankly, she was getting tired of them. Maybe it was time for a trip to the bookstore for some new reading material. Something that didn’t involve death and grieving. Something that featured a tall, strong, handsome leading man and a likable, attractive heroine who were destined to be together. Yeah. That sounded like just the ticket! And then she jolted upright in horror, realizing that the man she’d just been visualizing was Finn!
“Welcome to A New Chapter,” an attractive woman with strawberry-blonde hair said as Harper entered the store. A New Chapter was the closest bookstore to Brandon Township, where Harper lived, and she had arrived just after they’d opened for the day. After having a disturbingly sexy dream about Finn the night before, she’d decided that a trip to the bookstore was pertinent. It seemed like her female urges were waking up after a long slumber, and she’d decided that diverting them to a fictional character was much safer than the alternative. So, she’d looked up the store hours and made sure she was there right when it opened.
“Good morning,” she said with a groggy smile.
“Is there anything I can help you find?”
The woman seemed genuinely friendly, and Harper couldn’t help but warm to her. “Yes, actually. I’m in need of a light fiction book, maybe even a romance novel.”
And then another woman appeared through a doorway behind the check-out counter. “Did somebody say, ‘romance’?” she said.
The first woman laughed and said, “I’m Emma, the store owner, and this is my second-in-command and romance aficionado, Kelly.”
“Nice to meet you,” Harper said, “and yes, I’m looking for a romance novel.”
“Yay!” Kelly said as Emma turned away to answer a ringing phone. “Now, what kind of romance are you interested in: comedy, drama, suspense, erotica…?”
Harper swallowed hard and said, “Not erotica. I’d like to start with something on the lighter side, so maybe a romantic comedy.”
“Perfect!” Kelly said. “Follow me.”
As Harper followed her toward the back of the store, she noticed how Kelly’s hips swayed as she walked. Harper glanced down at her own narrower hips and inwardly sighed. She hadn’t been blessed with a curvy figure; her shape leaned toward the athletic side, with straight lines instead of voluptuous curves. Blake had always liked her body, but now she looked at it with a skeptical eye, thinking most men probably preferred a figure like Kelly’s.
“Ok, so, I’ll point out a few of my favorite authors, and then I’ll let you browse,” Kelly said enthusiastically.
It was obvious how much Kelly loved her job, and Harper listened intently as she described some of the novels on the shelf. After Kelly had walked away, Harper selected several books and carried them over to a corner chair to peruse them more closely. While she admired the cowboys’ physiques on the covers of some of the books, she discarded them, likewise the books about Navy Seals and undercover agents. And then she came to a book about a woman who loses her pilot husband in a plane crash and eventually falls in love with another pilot who happens to be her husband’s best friend. Suddenly, Harper felt overly warm, and she hastily peeled off her winter coat. Her fingers were damp where she’d clutched the book tightly in her hands, and just then, Kelly walked up.
“Find anything good?”
“I’m still looking,” Harper croaked, wondering if she looked flushed.
“No problem. Take your time,” Kelly said and sashayed away.
I shouldn’t read this. Pick a different one. Harper laid the book on the discard pile and continued looking. She found a few other books that sounded intriguing and that didn’t hit quite so close to home, and she set them aside. But a few minutes later, she picked up the taboo story again and re-read the summary on the back cover. The plot wasn’t an exact depiction of her life, but it was close enough to be tempting and disturbing at the same time. Yet when she returned the rejects to the shelf, she hesitated to put that one back.
Just then, the bell over the front door rang, announcing another customer. Harper quickly shoved the book to the bottom of her stack and moved toward the check-out counter, realizing as she did how stupid it was to feel guilty over buying a book! Placing her selections on the counter, she glanced over to see Kelly hugging a tall, muscular, dark-complexioned man who’d just walked in.
As if she sensed they were being watched, Kelly let go and hurried toward the counter, with the hunk trailing a few steps behind.
“Oops, sorry! My husband just stopped by unexpectedly,” she explained as she began ringing up Harper’s books.
“No problem,” Harper said, shooting a quick smile at Kelly’s husband.
“Good choices!” Kelly exclaimed as she held up each book before placing it in the bag.
Harper shifted uncomfortably, wishing that she were still alone in the store. Not that Kelly’s husband was paying attention, but he was hovering nearby, and if he’d wanted to see the books she was buying, he easily could have.
“Would you like to be on our email list? We have book club meetings, ladies’ night, and all kinds of other events in the store,” Kelly said, smiling broadly.
“No thanks. Not today,” Harper added, glancing down at her watch. She didn’t have an appointment until after lunch, but she wanted to appear like she was in a hurry.
“Ok. Well, maybe next time. Enjoy your books!” Kelly said, handing Harper the bag.
“Thank you,” Harper said and hurried past the hunk on her way out.
Once she was in her car, she leaned her head back and took several deep breaths until she felt calm again. She hadn’t started the car yet and relished the crisp, cold air against her heated skin. You’re being ridiculous. There’s
nothing wrong with reading that book. It’s just a story. It’s got nothing to do with you.
It wasn’t until she’d pulled back into her driveway that she realized she’d driven all the way home with the windows cracked open and the heater turned off even though it was only sixteen degrees!
Chapter 5
Daisy announced Will’s arrival before the doorbell rang, barking excitedly and turning in spastic circles until Harper opened the door. She’d debated about putting Daisy in her crate beforehand, but then decided that leaving her out would be a good test to see whether Will liked dogs. She’d already decided she couldn’t date someone who didn’t.
“Hey, there,” Will said, giving Harper a sweet smile before bending down to scratch Daisy behind her ears. “And who do we have here?”
“This is Daisy,” Harper replied happily. Daisy seemed happy too as she pawed at Will’s pant leg, asking to be picked up. She never does that with Finn, Harper thought.
“Is it ok if I pick her up?”
“Sure, as long as you don’t mind a few dog hairs on your clothes.”
“Not at all. I grew up with dogs, so I’m used to it.”
Will scooped up Daisy and held her against his black leather jacket. Harper had been too distracted when he’d first come in to notice that he wore his Burberry scarf tucked inside his coat. Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
“I’m all set to go,” she said, picking up the tote bag that held her ice skates, hat, and mittens.
“Here, let me carry that for you,” Will said before gently setting Daisy back down.
Harper handed him her tote bag, waved goodbye to Daisy, and followed him out the door.
Will gallantly opened the passenger door for her, set the tote bag in the back seat, and then slid into the driver’s seat. He’d already put on her seat heater, and the car was toasty warm. Maybe dating isn’t going to be so bad after all, she thought as they drove away. So far, Will had been the perfect gentleman, and the fact that Daisy liked him was a definite plus!
“So, you said you grew up with dogs. Does that mean you don’t have one now?”
“No. I’m not home enough to take care of one. Someday, though. So, when’s the last time you’ve been ice skating?”
“Oh, gosh. It must have been about two or three years ago, but I used to love it as a kid. Every year, my parents made an ice rink in our backyard, and my sister and I would skate until our hands and feet went numb.”
“I grew up on a lake, so I played ice hockey a lot. Still do occasionally.”
“You must be a pretty good skater, then.”
“I do ok.”
They chatted about a variety of other topics on the way to the ice rink, and any nerves Harper had leading up to today vanished. Once they reached the rink, he insisted on paying her way, another sweet gesture, and then they laced up their skates and headed out on the ice.
Harper bobbled a bit when she first stood up on her skates, but Will took hold of her elbow and kept a light grip on it until she felt steadier. After a few times around the rink, her confidence returned, and they skated side by side with ease, current pop music playing in the background. Somehow, gliding across the ice made her feel younger and lighter, like a weight had been lifted. It was almost like she was her old self again, the self she’d been before Blake had died.
“Having fun?” Will asked, his smile as big as hers.
“Yes!”
“Let me know when you want to take a break.”
“I will,” she said, and then she pushed herself to skate a little faster, challenging him to keep up with her. Don’t get too cocky, she thought as she swooped around the turn.
She recalled her and McKayla zipping around the ice rink in their backyard, pretending to be famous ice skaters. Their attempts at spinning and jumping usually resulted in them falling on their behinds, but they’d gotten back up and tried again. What she wouldn’t have given to be that young again, when life had been simple, unhurried, and unmarred by tragedy.
She was lost in thought when, suddenly, a little girl in front of them stumbled and fell, causing Will and Harper to have to veer out of the way. Will executed the move perfectly, but Harper turned too sharp, and the next thing she knew, she was flying across the ice on her side until she careened into the board.
Will, having looked back and seen it happen, hurriedly skated toward her, and kneeling on the ice, he asked, “Are you ok? Is anything broken?”
“Just my pride,” Harper said, attempting to stand up.
“Here. Let me help.”
Will held out his arms, and she clamped her wrists around them to help herself up. Once she was standing, she bobbled again and ended up giving him a mini chest bump. “Oops, sorry,” she said, feeling embarrassed about falling and then smashing her boobs against him.
“No problem,” Will said, smiling down at her.
Up until then, Harper had almost forgotten they were on a date. It felt more like she’d been ice skating with a friend or an acquaintance. But when she looked into Will’s eyes, she saw a flicker of awareness there, and she quickly stepped back.
“You ok?” he asked.
“Maybe we should take a break.”
“Sure. Hang on to my arm in case you’re still a little unsteady.”
To refuse would have made her seem foolish, so she obliged, and they slowly skated off the ice. Once she was seated on the bench where they’d left their shoes, Will offered to get them some drinks and snacks while she rested. Nodding, she gave him a weak smile before he walked away.
Just when I thought everything was going great, she thought, shaking her head. The minute she’d caught Will looking at her like a woman he was attracted to, she’d freaked out. Which was asinine because wasn’t that what she wanted? Is it me? Is it him? Maybe it’s still too soon.
Will returned with two sodas and a large bag of popcorn. “Diet Coke, right?” he said, handing her one of the cups.
“How’d you know?”
“Julia told me.”
Harper smiled for real that time. “What else did Julia tell you?”
He sat down on the bench, setting the bag of popcorn between them, and she wondered if he could sense that she needed the extra space.
“Just a few things that she thought might be helpful for me to know.”
“Such as my Diet Coke habit?”
Will nodded. “And your favorite foods, music preferences, that sort of thing.”
“Was it her idea for us to go ice skating?”
“No. That was all me.”
She laughed, starting to feel more at ease again. Whatever hang-ups she had about dating other men, she’d have to get past them; otherwise, she was sure to end up a lonely old lady someday.
After they ate some popcorn and finished their drinks, Harper stood up and declared, “I’m ready to go again.”
Will shot her a skeptical look. “You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Ok, then. Let’s make sure we keep a safe distance behind other people this time.”
She didn’t hesitate when he offered up his arm to help her out on the ice, nor did she let go immediately. Will looked pleasantly surprised as they skated around the rink a few times, arm and arm, and it wasn’t until she heard one of Blake’s favorite songs come over the speaker that she gently let go.
“Thanks a lot, Will,” she said an hour later, when he’d pulled into her driveway. “I had a really good time.”
He’d put the car in park but left it idling, and she briefly wondered if he were waiting for an invitation to come inside.
“I did too. Thanks for going with me.”
Harper put her hand on the door handle, but before she opened it, Will placed a hand on her other arm.
“Harper?”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t want to sound too forward, but is it ok if I call you again?”
For a minute there, she thought he was about to ask for a kiss, and her relie
f was palpable. “Sure,” she said.
“Great. Do you want me to carry your tote bag up to the door?”
“No. I got it,” she said, having held it in her lap on the drive home. And then she quickly exited the car, giving him a brief wave as he drove away.
The minute she let herself in, she dropped her tote bag and purse on the floor and scooped up Daisy, who had been barking enthusiastically at the front door. Rubbing her cheek against Daisy’s soft fur, she said, “I did it! I survived my first date!”
Oblivious, Daisy soaked up the attention and nuzzled her nose in Harper’s neck.
Later that evening, she’d just sat down to watch some television when the doorbell rang. Daisy, who had been sleeping by her feet, immediately jumped up and ran to the door, barking furiously. Some attack dog! Her bark sounded fierce, but she only weighed eight pounds, so there wouldn’t be much she could do to protect Harper should she ever need it.
Harper put her eye to the peephole just as Finn demanded, “Open up. It’s me.”
Rolling her eyes at his bossiness, she picked up Daisy in one hand and swung the door open with the other.
“You’re home,” he said, brushing the snow off his jacket as he stepped inside.
“Where’d you think I’d be?” Daisy squirmed out of her arms, sniffed Finn’s boots, and then walked haughtily away.
“Didn’t you have a date today?”
Shoving her hands on her hips, she said, “Is that why you stopped by? To check up on me?”
“No,” he said, following her into the living room and lowering himself into the La-Z-Boy.
She sat across from him on the couch, and Daisy jumped onto her lap, keeping her eyes pinned on Finn the entire time. “Well, then why did you?”
Finn didn’t appear to be the least bit offended. Cockiness will do that to a guy, although he wasn’t cocky—not really—extremely confident was more like it.
“I was in the area, and I thought I’d stop by and let you know I re-scheduled our appointment at the dealership.”
“You could have called instead,” she said, unsure why she was goading him.
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