He pulled into the driveway by the house and cut the engine. “Can you wait just a minute? I’ll go turn on all the lights so you get the full effect.”
Whatever his hidden thoughts, his nervous eagerness to show her the gardens was evident enough. It was something to latch on to. “I can’t wait to see it.” It was mostly the truth, save the small piece of her that wondered if it’d be strange seeing Mom’s gardens restored to their former glory. Would it stir old hurts? Or heal them?
He gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “Sit tight and I’ll come back for you.”
Silent seconds passed and she missed the warmth of the heater. But soon enough, he returned, opening her door for her and offering her his elbow once she stepped out.
“May I escort you to your own gardens, Miss Belville?”
It was the first glimpse of his playful side she’d seen in days. She hooked her arm through his elbow. “As you wish, Mr. Danby.”
Bright moonlight peered from an inky black sky lavish with glimmering stars. A hushed wind hurried her steps through the side yard, or maybe that was Lucas’s long strides. “Is this why you were distracted all evening at the Everwood? Anxious to show off your hard work?”
He laughed and oh, she’d missed that sound. Maybe this was all they’d needed in these last stressful days. Moonlight, stars, the magic of an October night. Her breath was white in the air and she should’ve worn a coat, but no matter. She was with Lucas.
Everything will be okay.
They emerged into the backyard and a gasp flew from her lips, the sight before her so stunning, so gorgeous she dropped her hold on Lucas’s arm. “Oh my.” Lights and lanterns illuminated the garden and the gentle trickling of the fountain in the center was lulling background music to the pure enchantment of what she was seeing. Three levels of garden beds spread over the yard, blanketed by tall grasses and plants, interspersed with potted flowers and lawn ornaments.
Lucas and Noah had pulled up the old brick path that cut through the gardens and replaced it with winding stone walkways bordered by lights. The area was dotted with benches.
“The whole place will look a little more cluttered tomorrow when Leigh and the event committee show up.” Lucas’s voice cut into her awe. “They’ll add a big tent and tables here and there. I’m glad you’re getting to see it like this first.”
“I’m glad too.” A shiver curled through her.
Lucas peeled off his flannel shirt and helped her shrug into it. “Outdoor space heaters will make a difference tomorrow.”
“It’s beautiful, Lucas. Every little inch of it. It’s remarkable. I can’t believe you did all this in just a few weeks. That you could take a neglected, overgrown yard and turn it into this . . . absolutely magical space.” You would’ve loved this, Mom. And Dad, too.
For once, the thought of her parents didn’t hurt. No, the Belvilles hadn’t often been a happy family. But this would’ve made Mom and Dad happy. And there was a surprising amount of comfort in that.
She looked up at Lucas. “It even smells good.”
He took hold of her hand and tugged her forward. “That’s probably more the fountain than the plants. I got this stuff you can put in the water to add a scent. I like the honeysuckle, but there’s also lavender, vanilla, maybe a rose one. Not sure how long it lasts.”
She leaned close. “Actually, I think what I’m really smelling is your shirt. I don’t know if it’s soap or cologne or what, but it drives me crazy.”
He eyed her.
“A good kind of crazy,” she amended.
He slowed as they neared the fountain. “Good. A guy can’t have his girl thinking he stinks.”
She giggled and then gasped all over again when he pulled her into his arms.
“Sorry, it’s just been too long since I kissed you, Jenessa Belville.”
The cold she’d felt only moments ago was pushed away by a perfect, poignant warmth. “You just kissed me in the truck.”
He leaned so close his nose touched hers. “That hardly counts.”
And the moment his lips touched hers, she knew he had a point. A really, really good point. In fact, if he wanted to go on making his point indefinitely . . .
He pulled the barest breath away. “I’ve missed this,” he whispered. “I’ve missed you. Ever since the kids left . . .”
She touched his stubbled cheek. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been overly emotional and mopey and—”
“No.” She felt his jaw move under her hand. “You have every right to hurt. The depth of your feelings is one of the things I love most about you.”
Love. It was the first time he’d used the word, but somehow she knew it wasn’t the first time he’d thought it. He didn’t stumble over it or even seem to realize he’d said it.
He loved her. He’d shown it in a thousand different ways.
And she returned that love with an intensity that scared her. Mara had told her she should tell him and if ever there were a perfect moment . . .
But those weren’t the words that came out. “Noah came to see me.”
Lucas took a breath, one hand sliding from her back to her waist. “I know.”
He knew? “So he told you he talked to me about your dad? Some appeal or review board or something? He said there’s a hearing and maybe your discharge could get changed and—”
“Do we have to talk about this now?”
She removed her palm from his cheek to join the other at his chest. “I know how much your record bothers you. When Carmen mentioned it the other night—”
He took a step back and her hands slipped away from him. “Yeah. Carmen.”
“I hate how she dredged all that up but—”
“But she had a point.” Regret shown in his eyes. “Jen, if there’s even the tiniest chance that things don’t work out with Dustin, that those kids could have the opportunity to come back here . . . I’m a complication.”
She shook her head so vehemently she felt her ponytail loosen. “That’s not true. If Carmen knew the whole story, if she knew you . . .” A thought hit. “Or if you go along with your dad and get that dishonorable off your record—”
“So you want me to go to D.C.?”
“I don’t want you to go anywhere. But what if it could change everything?”
He turned away, raking his fingers through his hair. “Jen, if I go to that hearing, I’m going to have to relive Tashfeen’s death and how I spent the next two years all over again. Everyone wonders why I didn’t defend myself at the court-martial. It’s because I have no defense. I deserve the punishment I received.”
“But everything you’ve done since then, everything you’ve sacrificed—”
“What did I sacrifice? What did I give up to join Bridgewell? I had nothing at that point. Kit was in London, Dad wanted nothing to do with me. I had no purpose, no direction. Bridgewell saved me.” He turned back to her and the pain in his eyes—a dull shade not even the moonlight could brighten—nearly undid her. “And what’s that review board going to say when I admit I might be quitting Bridgewell now?”
Might be? Oh, why did those have to be the two words that rang so loudly?