Ben gasped when he saw his mother standing before him, wearing a dress he’d forgotten she even owned. Her hair was done up in a clean bun, and her complexion looked fresh and even.
“I was putting on mascara, and it’s hard to talk with that little wandy thing up close to my eyeball.”
“Mom, you look…”
“Good?” She spun to show off the full effect.
“Gorgeous. Are you expecting to run into that anchorman at this thing?”
“Haha, very funny. I just wanted to look nice for my future daughter-in-law is all.”
“Haha,” Ben said sarcastically, but inside his heart swelled. So his mother could see it too.
This thing between him and Summer was real.
Summer swung by to pick up Ben and Susan and drive them out to the concert at the nearby church. Even though it wasn’t a long drive, she had insisted on escorting them there.
Seeing mother and son emerge from the house dressed a little too formally for an outdoor concert sent warmth coursing through her. Susan looked almost like a different person. She looked healthy, maybe even happy too.
And Ben?
The green polo he wore brought out the flecks of emerald in his eyes. A huge grin crossed his face when he saw her admiring him, and she knew then—beyond the shadow of a doubt—that she had fallen for this small-town boy. Fallen hard.
They had to park in a spare gravel lot a good quarter mile away from the church since all the closer spots were already filled. It seemed all of Sweet Grove had turned up to support the youth group and to enjoy the lively music from the out-of-town bands. As they walked onto the enormous church lawn, a pair of teens greeted them holding donation buckets in their outstretched arms.
“Hi, and thanks for coming! You’re the guy from the grocery store, right?” one of them asked, reaching out to shake Ben’s hand.
“That’s me. Although I normally go by Ben.”
“Ben, good to meet you. And who are these two lovely ladies you brought with you today?”
“My mom, Susan, and my… friend, Summer.”
“Good, good, the more the merrier. So the concert is free, but we’re collecting donations for our upcoming ministry trip to Guatemala. Totally optional, and no pressure. We’ll be here the whole time if you decide you want to donate.”
Summer took out her wallet and dumped in a twenty.
Ben cleared his throat and looked away.
“Haven’t got anything to donate. Otherwise I would,” Susan explained. “Hey, perhaps next time you can take up donations for us!”
That was when Elise and Jennifer descended upon them. “Summer, you made it!” Jennifer shouted from across the way, then ran up for a hug.
“And you weren’t kidding about bringing a friend,” Elise said. “Hi, Susan. Hi, Ben. It’s so good to see you both out and about. Maisie will be thrilled you’re here. I’m thrilled you’re here.”
Summer watched for any sparks between Elise and Ben, but thankfully those seemed to have died out long ago. Anyway, why was she so jealous? This was ridiculous. They’d dated practically a million years ago. Summer would never go back and date any of her old high school boyfriends, so why did she expect that something would still be lingering between these two?
“Thanks for having us. It’s good to get out of the house in the light of day,” Susan said, accepting a hug from Jennifer.
“You are always welcome. In fact, I hope we do see you more. You are still my favorite teacher of all time, Mrs. Davis. I went into teaching because of you, you know.”
“That’s nice, dear,” Susan said, in a way that made her seem much older than she actually was.
“Anyway, we won’t keep you any longer,” Elise said with a wave. “Go enjoy the concert! That’s what you came for, right?”
“Yes, indeed,” Susan crowed. “See you later!”
Ben whispered apologies, then followed Susan as she set off toward the stage that had been erected on the spacious back lawn of the church. As Susan walked through the crowd, she swung her hips, bobbed her head, and just generally came to life.
Summer glanced toward the stage where a hunky group of twenty-somethings were banging on their instruments in what could only be described as Church Metal. Seemed there was an audience for everything these days. Apparently she’d stopped walking as she watched the band move into a drum solo, because Ben turned around and said something to her. Whatever it was didn’t reach her ears; the band was just too loud.
He grabbed her hand and gave it a tug to get her moving once again. Her pulse pounded with even more energy and life than the noisy musicians. Tingles—literal tingles—shot up her arm and warmed her whole body.
She followed him as he followed Susan, and finally they found a place right at the very front of the audience. How long would he hold her hand this time?
“Thank you, Sweet Grove!” yelled the lead singer into the mic, and everyone around them started clapping.
Summer rolled her eyes and joined the wave of applause. So much for that question.
Everything was quiet for a few minutes as the next band shuffled onto the stage.
“Look,” Ben said, pointing to the far side of the lawn. “There’s Maisie.”
She followed Ben’s long, muscular arm, and sure enough Maisie jumped up and down, waving at them enthusiastically.
“Oh, and Kristina too!” Summer said, spotting her other new friend across the way. “But who are those guys with them?”
“Those guys are Maisie’s brothers, Jack, Jonas, and Jared Bryant,” Ben patiently explained. The Bryants are kind of the power family of Sweet Grove. Their dad is mayor, and they all own various business in town. The one right next to Kristina is Jeffrey. They work at the diner together. Speaking of which…”
The new guitarist played a few opening chords, and Summer found that she liked their soft rock sound much more than she’d cared for the previous band’s performance. She turned her attention back toward the stage, but apparently Ben hadn’t finished what he wanted to say.
“Kristina Rose and Jeffrey both work at the diner.”
“Yeah?”
“Mabel’s on Maple.”
“Oh, that’s a cute name.”
“It’s a nice place. Maybe we could go there some time.”
“Maybe.”
“Like on a date.”
Oh.
Chapter 11
He’d done it. He’d actually asked Summer out on an official date. This was the beginning of something beautiful…
Except, wait, Summer’s petite features pinched into a frown. That wasn’t supposed to happen.
Oh, no. Oh, no. Did I misread everything? I really am stupid. Why did I think I deserved someone like her? She’s so clearly out of my league, and I’m so obviously kidding myself.
Summer took a deep breath as if she were about to launch into a lengthy explanation of why she had to decline Ben’s invitation—and she would have to yell to be heard over the band who had now reached full crescendo. All of Sweet Grove would have a front row ticket to his rejection. Awesome.
“Forget it,” he said, cutting her off before she could even begin. The last thing he needed was to hear what was coming next. It hurt enough knowing that his dream girl would remain just that—a dream, a fantasy.
“No, it’s not like that,” Summer said, putting a hand on his shoulder and forcing him to look at her. He wasn’t the only one looking at her either. Susan watched with a frown that more than likely reflected Ben’s own.
“It’s okay,” he answered, meeting her gaze and hoping his sad eyes wouldn’t give him away. Why couldn’t he just take it in stride, be a man?
“Ben, I really like you.”
“I know,” he said between gritted teeth. “We established that last night. You like me, just not enough to say yes, right? It’s fine. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, I’m glad you asked. And I do want to spend time with you, Ben. Really.” Her voice became un
characteristically high-pitched. Oh, great. He’d really upset her. “But I’m only here for another couple months. It wouldn’t be smart to start something romantic. You get that, don’t you?”
He shrugged and tried—but failed—to force a smile onto his pathetic face.
“If it were any other way, I’d love—look at me, Ben—I’d love to go on a date with you. But since it’s not, let’s just be friends. And, no, I’m not blowing you off. I really do want to be your friend. Can we do something together tomorrow? Just maybe not something so… date-y?”
“Does that mean my mom has to tag along again?”
She laughed. “No, let’s do something just us.”
“And you’re sure you want to?”
“Ben, if you don’t ask me out again right now, I’m going to ask you.”
He put a finger to his lips to keep from speaking, and Summer giggled.
“Oh, so that’s how you want to play it? Fine.” She took his hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. “Ben Davis, will you please, please be my friend?”
“Hmm.” He pretended to think about it. “Well, if you insist, then okay.”
“And will you go out with me to do something fun tomorrow?”
“I suppose I could be persuaded.”
She gave an impatient grunt.
“Yes, I mean yes.”
“Good, then it’s a date.”
He quirked an eyebrow.
“A friend date.”
“A friend date,” he agreed. At least a friend date was better than no date. After all, how hard could getting out of the friend zone really be?
Friends, buddies, pals, chums, amigos… Perhaps if Summer found the perfect word to describe her relationship with Ben, she would finally stop questioning it. But nothing felt quite right, except for whenever she was around Ben. That felt… perfect.
Comrades, allies, acquaintances, mates… She thought that last one with an Australian accent and smiled to herself.
She was doing a lot of that lately—smiling. Not as if she wasn’t a naturally happy person, but lately she was excessively happy, like a clown dancing at the circus level happy. Mates, now that wouldn’t be so bad.
No! Bad Summer. You’re just friends. Friends! And friends don’t hurt friends, right?
“Right,” she said aloud, wondering if maybe she was just a little touched in the head for answering her own thoughts. Sunny Sunshine squawked from atop his cage, and Summer wondered whether he meant to agree or disagree with her.
“Hey, Sunny. Who’s a good bird?” she asked, grabbing a chunk of dried papaya from his treat jar and handing it over to him. She still half-expected him to bite her every time she drew near, but today he just squawked his thanks, transferred the tiny bit of fruit to his foot, and chowed down.
“Good bird,” she said, risking a quick stroke on his head. He quacked again, and Summer decided she’d pressed her luck enough for that day.
She returned to the bathroom, spritzed a bit of perfume behind each ear, then wandered over to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. Her late night tea date with Ben—a friend tea date, obviously—had awakened something in her. Whether she actually relished in the taste or she just liked the memories that were now associated with the hot brew, she couldn’t really say for sure.
They’d sat together right here at this very table, said they liked each other. And he’d asked why. She didn’t know then, but now she did. How she wished she could go back in time to relive that moment and give him a proper answer.
Ben, I like you because I can tell you do everything with your whole heart, even though I bet you think you don’t. You put your own needs on hold to be there for your mom. You helped me before you even knew who I was, and that shows me that you’re a good man with a kind heart. This world needs more kindness, Ben, and it’s like you have an unending supply. That’s why I like you so much, and your awesome good looks certainly don’t hurt.
Companions, chums… No, she’d already thought that one, and companions sounded way too intimate, but it also kind of sounded right. Oh, was it getting hot in here? Summer returned to the living room and cracked the window that overlooked the front yard. A nice breeze wafted in, and Sunny Sunshine made a cute little trilling noise.
“That’s better now, isn’t it, Mr. Bird?” She still felt ridiculous calling the thing Sunny Sunshine. Mr. Bird was perhaps a touch too formal though.
“What’s better?” Ben asked from outside.
Her eyes shot up and the first thing she saw were his exposed calf muscles. Beefy, she thought, and then immediately felt like a pervert. There was more to Ben than his gorgeous, gorgeous legs. Like his smile or his straight, white teeth, or…
Chums, chums, chums, she reminded herself.
“Let’s go,” she said, grabbing her purse from the hook by the front door and joining Ben for their first official friend date.
Chapter 12
“Welcome to Bryant Park Cider Mill,” Ben announced as he and Summer pulled into the old dusty drive. He wished he had a car of his own, so that she wouldn’t always have to be the one driving them everywhere. Kind of hard to surprise someone when you had to give them step-by-step directions on where to go.
None of this seemed to faze Summer, whose eyes were wide with excitement. “Oh my gosh, I haven’t been to the Cider Mill since forever ago. I love it!” And there was that word again—love—she loved this, she loved that, but could she learn to love him? Could he convince her that their bond was already far too special to constrain?
“Well, c’mon,” he said as they got out of the car. “Let me show you around.” He held out his hand to Summer, who took it without hesitation. As they walked she swung their arms back and forth as if they were here as elementary school classmates on a field trip.
They walked into the small shop attached to the mill, which got just enough traffic from out-of-towners and tourists to stay open year round. The scents of cinnamon, caramel, and of course apples swirled in the air. The low lighting seemed to give everything a golden glow, including Summer’s cheeks and her curls.
“How’s business, Jack?” Ben asked Maisie’s eldest brother as he came out from the small kitchen to greet them.
“Same as always. How you doing, Ben? Maisie tells me you’ve been a bit…” His eyes fell to Summer, and he gave her a welcoming smile rather than continuing what he had planned to say.
“Howdy do?” He extended a strong hand toward Summer, and they shook. “You’re Iris’s niece. Am I right?”
“Right as rain.” Summer giggled. “I don’t even know why I said that. I’ve never used that expression before.”
“Seems maybe the Texas is wearing off on you a bit,” Jack said and the corners of his eyes pinched from the size of his thousand-watt smile. “Hey, I’m just about to pull a batch of turnovers from the oven. Want one?”
“Yeah, that would be great,” Ben said. “Thanks, man.”
“I was asking your lady friend,” Jack responded with a laugh. “But I suppose I could spare one for you too. So long as you promise to take her over to the old wishing well once you’re through.”
“Oh my gosh,” Summer gasped. “A real, honest-to-goodness wishing well? Ben, we have to go!”
“There’s that Texas again,” Jack called over his shoulder as he returned to the kitchen. “Are you sure you’re not from these parts?”
“If I am, that’s news to me,” Summer answered, and a second later Jack returned with two awesome-smelling turnovers held in crinkly wax paper.
“For the road,” Jack explained.
“Let’s eat them on the way to the wishing well.” Summer raced out the door despite not knowing where they were going.
“She’s real nice, Ben. Don’t mess it up,” Jack said, tossing a wink his way.
“Believe me, I’m doing my best to not let that happen.”
“Ben, c’mon! The wishing well, let’s go!” Summer called from a surprisingly far off distance.
He
had to jog to catch up with her, and from there it wasn’t too much farther to the old well that sat on top of the highest hill in the park.
“Do you have some pennies?” she asked Ben.
“I have dimes, I think. Hang on.” He dug around in his pocket and pulled out a small pair of shining coins.
“Ooh, that’ll make our wishes ten times more likely to come true. Good thinking!”
Summer closed her eyes and moved her lips in a silent wish, then tossed her coin into the dark depths of the little stone well. “Now it’s your turn,” she said.
Ben didn’t have to think twice about what he wanted to wish for. He smiled at his dream girl, then flipped the coin straight into the well right after hers. The last time he’d made a wish—or rather said a prayer—it had come true. Could he really be so lucky a second time?
At least now he knew that if there really were a God, the dude actually liked him. He added a silent prayer to his wish for extra measure, then grabbed Summer’s hands again and took her to explore the beautiful nature trails of the park.
She’d wished for clarity and left it at that. The one word was her whole wish, because there was so much she needed clarity about in her life—her feelings for Ben, her career path, where she should live, her future, everything. She’d listened as that tiny dime ricocheted off the dank stone walls of the well and landed in the water below with a satisfying thunk. Throwing that dime had felt kind of like tossing aside her worries, like she’d entrusted her fate to the old well and that was that. It was the well’s problem now, which meant she could just focus on enjoying the rest of that beautiful afternoon with Ben—who may have been a friend, may have been more—only the well could decide now.
As far as what Summer herself wanted, well, the more time she spent with Ben, the more she longed to press herself up against his strong chest and just stay there. Possibly forever. She’d half expected their friend date to end with a sweet, chaste kiss on her doorstep, but Ben had resisted the urge—provided he still had it.
Love's Prayer (The First Street Church Romances Book 1) Page 7
