“I sure hope not.” His eyes closed. The softness of her lips and occasional tease of her tongue stole his breath. Kissing Livy intoxicated him. He guided her to sit on one of his knees and studied her features. The slight upturn of her nose. The dark freckle next to her left eyebrow. The intense black of her lashes against bright, jewel eyes. He smoothed wisps of hair with the back of his hand and took a deep, full breath.
“This short time we’ve spent together has been so unexpected and wonderful,” he said, placing kisses on the palm of her hand. “I know this might sound insane, but I believe I’m falling for you, Olivia Johnson.”
“It does sound insane.” Her breathy sigh and loving eyes told him what he wanted to know. “I wouldn’t believe you for a minute if I didn’t feel the same way.”
Their bodies came together in a long embrace, Jack’s heart pounding hard against his chest. “You make me happier than I thought I could ever be again. It’s unexplainable, but when I bumped into you in the hallway out there”—he gestured to her door—“I just knew you were going to be a very important part of my life. You were going to mean something to me. Turns out, you mean everything.”
“Jack…”
She kissed him with such passion that the room began to spin, and he nearly forgot where he was.
Dizzy, Jack inhaled deeply to collect himself. “If I want to remain a gentleman, I should go.”
She gave him a playful wink. “Are you going for sainthood or something?” She teased him with nibbles behind his ear between compliments.
He let out a moan signaling her efforts were having their desired effect. But his hands made their way from her waist to her arms and held her wrists. He eased her away from him and looked straight into her brilliant green eyes. “I’ll tell you on the night I make you my wife.”
Silence. Her eyes darted around every point of his face. Then, a whisper as thin as a cloud. “I like the sound of that very much.” As if it came from within her very soul.
“I love you, Olivia Johnson.”
“And I love you, Jack Bowdon.”
His mouth once again drew to hers like a magnet. It took all the strength he could muster to pull away from her embrace and say goodnight—he’d kiss her all night if he could.
The occasional chirp of crickets was the only noise on Jack’s quiet drive home that evening. If ever a day had turned around, this was it. What a monumental swing from the awkward encounter with Claire to telling Livy he loved her. And she loved him.
For now, that was all he needed to know.
***
“Yes, Mama, I know it sounds crazy.” Livy’s toe pushed against the wooden slats of the inn’s front porch, keeping the rocking chair moving at a slow, easy pace. She’d mentioned Jack once or twice during quick calls to her mom, but it was time to fill her in on how serious things had gotten since last night when Jack had professed his love. She stopped short of mentioning his intentions of marriage. There would be time for that.
“You know how quickly your father and I fell in love—married three months after meeting—so I can’t exactly tell you it’s not possible.”
“I used to believe in love at first sight,” Livy said. “But all those years of disappointment and discouragement with Sam left me really jaded. In these few short weeks, Mama, Jack has changed all that. We just can’t help it.”
“You know, Olivia, I had a hard time with Sam. I didn’t understand you two together. But you sound so relaxed now, so content. This Jack might be an answer to my prayers.” The tenderness in her mother’s voice warmed her.
A sturdy breeze blew through the porch. Livy bent to pick up the bloom of a rose that tumbled in front of her. Aunt Bea must’ve been cutting flowers earlier. Even with half its silky petals missing, the deep red flower was beautiful. “Mine, too, Mama.”
“Well, I’ll need to meet this swooner who’s knocked my daughter off her feet.”
Livy grinned and let her head rest against the back of the rocker, the rose cradled in the palm of her hand. “I’m thinking of coming to pick up some of the bigger things I’ve got stored at your place. Maybe I can bring Jack along.” Jack would surely want to come. Hopefully he could take time off from the store for a few days.
“Well, then. Guess I’ll have to tidy up the place and iron my good dress.”
“Okay, Mom. I get it. You’re excited.” Livy laughed as a childlike giggle came through the receiver. Any time her mother sounded this happy, it gave Livy a sense of peace and calm. “I’ll let you know when.” Livy drew in a breath, the fragrant aroma of the rose filling her nose, and paused. “There’s something else to tell you. Actually, I could use your guidance.”
“Of course,” she replied softly. Her mom must have sensed Livy’s change in tone.
“Jack’s ex-wife, Claire, is not happy about us dating.” Livy stopped the rocker’s motion. She lost grip of the rose, and it rolled to the ground.
“Really?” The emphasis her mother placed on the question surprised Livy a bit. “How do you know?”
Livy’s mind flashed with memories of their encounters with Claire. How easier life would be without all that mess. But nothing worth having was usually easy, as Gram would say. “To make a long story short, she has approached Jack with mention of them getting back together. And she basically told me to stay away from him when I ran into her in the grocery store.” Livy swallowed hard.
A long pause from her mother. “I’m not sure you’ll like what I have to say about that.”
“What is it, Mom? Say what’s on your mind.” Livy and her mother usually saw eye to eye on most things. However, their track record for agreeing on ways to handle relationship problems wasn’t great.
“It’s just that divorced couples are complicated. Though I trust your instinct about Jack, there’s always more to the story when another person is involved. Broken hearts lead people to do unfortunate things. If things seem uncertain and strained with Jack and Claire, you have to let them work it out first. Make sure he’s closed that chapter completely before opening yourself up to him.”
Livy closed her eyes and rested her head against the hard back of the rocker.
“Mom, I have no doubts about Jack and his intentions. He’s not interested in getting back with her.” It was Claire she doubted.
As if reading her mind, Livy’s mother replied. “Something tells me Jack won’t be the problem, honey. Haven’t you heard the quote about a scorned woman?”
“I’m the first woman Jack has been with since they split. And it’s a small town, Mom. Claire is bound to run into us. I bet she’ll settle when she sees I’m not going anywhere.” Livy tried to believe her own words. “Plus”—she forced an upbeat tone—“who doesn’t like me?”
“Well, no one in their right mind.” Another giggle. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, honey. Guard your heart. It’s been through so much.”
“I know, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you being protective, but even Claire deserves a chance to make the right decision.” Livy hadn’t really considered that until she said it out loud. But she did believe it. Livy herself had experienced a second chance. God led her to this place, to the memories of her happy past, to Jack. Everyone deserved that chance.
“I love you, my darling daughter.” Her mother’s words echoed what she’d said to Livy as a child.
“And I love you, darling mother.”
Livy ended the call and set the chair in motion again, accidentally crushing the rose bloom under one of the rockers. Oops. She sat back, eyes skyward, and traced a line of birds flying north. The distant mountain peaks had a light green hue as spring buds turned to tender leaves. Jack and Livy’s relationship was just as new and fragile as those leaves. They both had also awakened from a bleak winter of heartache.
God, if it’s part of your will for Jack and me, let us continue to grow stronger and survive whatever is in store. Her prayer floated away on the breeze as the line of birds disappeared over the ridge
.
CHAPTER
Seventeen
T he smell of sweet and salty kettle corn filled the Laurel Cove athletic field. The Laurel Cove Bluegrass Festival was the perfect way to relax for an evening with Livy and put the drama of Claire behind him. He nodded to the twangy beats floating from across the field and scanned the crowd for Livy. A group of teenage girls in matching frilly skirts pushed passed him—he hoped they hadn’t missed the last clogging dance.
“Jack.” He turned toward the sound of his name and found Livy waving, stepping away from a tented craft booth. The sight of her struck him like the final chord of a bluegrass song, lingering a satisfying melody in the air. She was stunning in a white cotton dress, jean jacket, and brown cowboy boots. Instead of her signature braid, her hair fell in soft waves well past her shoulders, a daisy tucked behind one ear. But it was the way the twinkling strung-up festival lights danced in her green eyes that really struck him—well, speechless. How did he get so lucky?
She smelled sweet, like fresh apples, when he bent to greet her with a kiss. “Hi. You, uh, look spectacular.”
“Well, thanks, honey.” She poked at him, impersonating Aunt Bea by drawing out the syllables, and laughed. Her joy was infectious. “This is so fun. I just met so many nice folks. Have you seen Georgia’s handmade soaps? And Patti—with an I and not a Y, she made sure to tell me—has these peanut butter balls that are so delicious. I think I talked her into giving me the recipe one day.”
“That’s pretty impressive. Patti doesn’t give that out to just anyone. You must’ve made a good impression.”
She laughed, grabbed his hand, and pulled him in the direction of the music on the far side of the field.
Out of the crowd of craft shoppers, Livy threaded her arm through Jack’s, and their steps slowed to a gentle stroll. It was darker across the grassy field, away from the tents and food trucks.
“I really like it here, Jack.”
It was the first time Jack noticed she was beginning to slip back into her native drawl. He smiled at the realization and knowing she was happy. “I’m glad.”
“Laurel Cove has always been a little bit of home, with Gram being here and all. But I’m starting to really picture a life here. The people are so nice—well, save a few.” She squeezed his arm tightly, a laugh as sweet as a songbird drifting into the night. It was good she could now joke a little about Claire. “And Gram’s house looks so great after the work the last week or two. It’s hard to believe how we found it, isn’t it?”
“It really is. I’m proud of you. Evening, Gentry.” Jack waved at the man passing them several yards away, wearing the same worn overalls he had for years. He leaned in close to Livy. “The poor guy lost his wife of over fifty years back at Christmas. I’ll never forget what he told me the first time I saw him at the store after the funeral.” Jack looked back over his shoulder and watched the old farmer disappear into crowd.
“What’s that?”
They reached the edge of the red clay field. Folks sat on lawn chairs and blankets tapping their toes to the plucking of banjos and fiddles. “He said that the love they shared flooded into the deep cracks of his grief like grains of sand. That it didn’t stitch the cracks closed, just filled in the wounds so that they were bearable.”
Livy led them to two blue camp chairs she’d saved by tossing a quilt over. “Wow. That’s actually beautiful.” Livy squeezed Jack’s hand as they took the seats.
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. When she turned to the band, the profile of her face under the starlit sky matched the soft features of the mountains he’d called home his whole life. “You know,” he whispered so only she could hear. “That’s how I feel about you.” She turned tender eyes in his direction, ruining any chance he had at paying attention to the music. “I know it might sound cheesy, but when you got to town, I still had some cracks in my heart. You’ve filled them in just being the wonderful person you are.”
“Thank you, Jack. I love you.”
He was about to tell her the same when Patti came bounding up to them carrying a domed plate covered with aluminum foil. “Hey, there Livy. We’re breakin’ down the booth for the night and I thought you might like to take home these last few balls. And I might’ve written the recipe on the bottom of the paper plate. But if anyone asks I’ll deny it and said you made up the whole thing. Y’all take care now.”
Livy took the plate and Patti was gone as quick as she came. Jack shook his head, laughing. There was no shortage of quirky characters here. Peeling back the foil, Livy handed him a chocolate covered candy before taking one for herself. Her eyes closed as she savored the homemade treat. This had truly been the best evening he could ask for. Life with Livy was really taking shape, despite their rocky start.
“I love you, too, by the way.” He settled back in the chair, licking his fingers and tapping his toes.
***
“Lane looked miserable when I saw her leaving the library last night.” Livy squeezed some local honey into her hot tea as she spoke over her shoulder to Meredith. The steam warmed her knuckles, still chilled from the early walk to the café.
“No kidding.” Meredith arranged fresh sticky buns in the pastry case. “I’ll be surprised if she goes until her due date.”
Livy turned toward the window and spotted Jack coming out of the storefront several doors down. He wore dark jeans and a red T-shirt, sleeves tight on his muscular arms. She knew first hand just how strong and tender he could be with those arms. And when he smiled at a neighbor passing on the sidewalk, her breath caught—those dimples were going to be the death of her one of these days. “Hmm …”
A chuckle sounded from behind her. “Earth to Livy.”
Livy looked down at her mug. Tea. Deep breath. Meredith. Good gracious. She’d completely spaced out. But who could blame her? “Um, what was that, Mer? Yeah, Lane’s huge.”
A full-on belly laugh ensued between the women just as Jack came through the door. “What’s all this ruckus about?” He gave Livy a lingering peck on the cheek that produced an audible whimper from her.
Meredith leaned on the counter in a fit of giggles. Livy was hopeless. Hopelessly in love with the most handsome man in Laurel Cove. And she didn’t care to admit it. “Meredith caught me ogling you coming down the street, okay? It’s not my fault you look so good even in a T-shirt.” She waved a hand at him, hitting him in the chest, which she stared at long enough that when she tilted her head to meet his eyes she found arched eyebrows and a crooked grin. They all joined in a chorus of laughter.
“Hey Casanova, take your princess and sit on down, will you? I’ve got work to do and you’ve distracted me long enough.” Meredith sighed and waved them toward their usual table by the window.
Jack pulled out Livy’s chair for her then took the seat across from her. “You sure know how to make a guy feel good. So, no coffee today?”
How was she supposed to think about her drink moments after that whole scene? “Uh, tea sounded good.”
“Don’t look now, but you’re being watched,” Meredith nodded toward the window as she approached with coffee for Jack.
Jack and Livy both turned toward the street. Claire stood looking at them from the curb on the far side of Main Street. She carried an oversized bright red purse in one hand and wore an expensive-looking denim wrap dress.
“Oh, boy.” He muttered the words, but didn’t sound particularly alarmed. Funny, because Livy’s palms instantly became clammy, her heart in her throat. He raised a hand to give Claire a wave, keeping the other on top of Livy’s. Claire’s eyes stayed fixed on Livy but were not unkind. Maybe she’d finally admitted defeat. Jack squeezed Livy’s hand, and she looked for a brief moment back to him before returning to the window.
A Yancey County school bus made its way down Main Street. Once it passed, Claire wasn’t there. Livy followed her blond hair down the street until she turned the corner and disappeared out of their sight. Fear or anger would have made more sense,
but instead, there were subtle shadows of regret and pain in Claire’s face. Livy knew those feelings well, but applying them to Jack would be crushing. The encounter had been so brief and uneventful that Jack and Livy didn’t even talk much about it and went about their day as usual.
Yet, when Livy’s head hit the pillow late that evening, the imprint of Claire watching them would not fade. She pulled the blanket up tight under her chin and stared at the ceiling until sleep came and relieved her.
CHAPTER
Eighteen
M ay in the mountains was a fickle thing. The long-sleeved coveralls Livy wore comfortably that morning lay in a heap next to empty buckets of paint. The cool morning had turned into a downright hot and muggy day at the cottage. Storm clouds off to the west caught her attention as she took a breather from rolling fresh paint along the siding.
Jack walked by and swatted at her, the tip of his towel stinging her thigh. “No slacking on the job.”
“Hey, now. Isn’t it bad enough I’m sweaty and aching all over?” Her back popped as she arched, stretching muscles she hadn’t used in a while. In work mode, Jack just laughed and kept walking back to his section of the siding with a fresh can of paint.
Livy was surrounded by activity. Jasper, Hank, and Greg raked the last of fresh gravel into place down the driveway from a pile delivered that morning. Owen changed out the porch light fixtures with vintage copper lanterns Livy had found a few days ago at the antique store near the Blue Bird. She’d bought them on a whim to remedy her disappointment that the easel she was saving up for had recently been sold—but they actually were perfect for the cheery porch. And from an open kitchen window, Livy could hear the chatter between Jen and Meredith as they repainted the cabinets. The only friend missing was Lane, who used the excuse of grading papers while everyone knew she and her growing belly required air conditioning and proximity to a good napping spot.
Someplace Familiar (Laurel Cove Romance Book 1) Page 17
