He was a keeper—if you were in the market for one.
But last night had been scary. If the situation had gone south, she would have been right back where she’d been in Cincinnati—all because she’d let herself get too close to the doctor next door and his charming niece.
Thank heaven she’d dodged a bullet on that one. Everyone was fine.
This time.
Tomorrow could be a different story though.
However . . . if she backed off, eventually her emotional attachment to them would fade.
It was an easy solution—if that was the outcome she wanted.
The very question she intended to ponder long and hard during the weekend ahead.
“She’s home!”
At Molly’s excited announcement, Logan fumbled the lightbulb he’d been screwing into the kitchen fixture.
Somehow he managed to grab it before the glass shattered on the floor.
Good grief.
He hadn’t even been this nervous during his first surgery assist.
And why was Jeannette home an hour early? The market never closed until eight.
Whatever the reason, he’d better shift into high gear and get over there or she’d be deep into some baking project for tomorrow’s tea.
He finished securing the bulb and descended the stepladder, trying to rein in his pulse as doubts began to nip at his confidence.
What if the approach he’d decided on didn’t work? After all, it wasn’t the usual tactic guys used to woo a woman. That would involve flowers and invitations for high-end dinners and dates for dancing or movies or concerts.
Those were all fine—and they’d come later . . . if the lady was willing.
But he wanted this straightforward, with no frills. He’d be honest about the life she’d have if they did date and if the relationship got serious.
And he was also going to tell her exactly how he felt—not a usual pre-dating strategy, but it seemed appropriate in this case.
Especially after Molly had reminded him last night that despite all his efforts to win her affection, he’d somehow forgotten to say I love you.
“Are we going over now?” Molly skipped into the kitchen, Toby on her heels.
“Let’s give her ten minutes to unpack the car.”
“I can carry the brownies.”
“That works.” He handed her the small white bag of goodies he’d picked up at Sweet Dreams. “And bring a doggie treat for Toby.”
The pup gave a happy yip at the mention of his name and followed Molly over as she trotted across the room to retrieve one.
Eight minutes later, after buttoning Molly into her jacket, donning his own, and tucking their beach blanket under his arm, he clipped on Toby’s leash.
“Let’s do this.”
Taking Molly’s hand, he exited onto the front porch, locked the door, and led his entourage around the hedge, toward the back of Jeannette’s house.
“The light’s on! She must be in the kitchen.” Molly pulled him along.
“Why are you so anxious to see her?”
“I like her a whole lot.”
That made two of them.
And he was hoping it would escalate into much more than that.
Holding tight to Molly’s hand, he stopped at her back door, took a deep breath . . . and tried to shore up his flagging courage.
What if this went south?
What if she refused his invitation and shut the door in their faces?
What if he couldn’t—
“Ouch.” Molly wriggled her fingers loose. “You’re squishing my hand.”
“Sorry.”
She squinted at him. “Are you scared, Uncle Logan?”
His niece was way too intuitive.
“Why would you ask that?”
“I squeeze my blankie real hard when I’m scared.”
She was also too smart.
“I’m fine.” Without giving her a chance to ask any more questions—and before his nerves kicked into overdrive—he rapped on the door.
Half a minute later, Jeannette pulled it open, her eyebrows peaking as she took in the group assembled on her doorstep. “This is a surprise. But I’m glad you’re here. Now I can give you a hug in person.” She bent and drew his niece into her arms. “I’m so happy you came back.”
“Me too.” Molly returned the hug, then wiggled free and held up the bag. “We’re going to the beach, and we have brownies. Want to come?”
Jeannette stood and tipped her head. “Isn’t it kind of late for a walk on the beach?”
“I came prepared.” He retrieved the small flashlight he’d tucked into his pocket to guide them home if they lingered for the whole sunset show. “And I’ll second Molly’s invitation. We’d love to have you join us.”
“I don’t know . . . I just got back from the farmer’s market and—”
“Please.” Logan gave her his most persuasive smile. “We won’t be there long.”
She hesitated.
“Please, ’Nette.”
After a moment, her taut features softened in capitulation. “I guess I can go for a few minutes. Let me get my jacket.” She crossed the room, retrieved it from the coatrack, and rejoined them.
“Can I hold Toby’s leash, Uncle Logan?”
“Sure. But keep a tight grip. We don’t want to lose him.” He passed the strap over to her, and girl and dog moved into the lead as they walked through the lavender gardens and set out on the path over the dunes.
Jeannette waited until the distance between them grew to a dozen yards, then spoke in a soft voice. “Everything okay?”
“Better than okay. We’ve had some false starts, but I think this is the real thing. She’s like a different little girl since we found them.”
“Any idea why?”
“Better than an idea. I’ll give you the whole scoop once we get to the beach. In the meantime . . . tell me about your day. How was the farmer’s market?”
“Sales were excellent, and there were a couple of interesting customers.”
He listened as she relayed a humorous story about a man whose wife had always wanted to spend a night on a lavender farm and who’d tried to rent a room for their anniversary in three weeks.
“I explained to him that I wasn’t a B&B and that most of the lavender wasn’t in bloom yet, but after he kept pushing I suggested he bring his wife to tea instead and book a night at the Seabird Inn in town—a very romantic spot, from what I hear. He said he was going to run that idea by his wife.” She brushed some wind-tossed strands of hair back from her face. “You have to admire a guy who’s willing to make an effort to please the woman in his life.”
Duly noted—and encouraging.
“Your idea sounds like a perfect compromise.” They crested the last dune, and he stopped. A gold-and-rose wash colored the sky above the horizon, and the setting sun cast a gilded swath of light across the water.
“It’s beautiful here.” The corners of Jeannette’s mouth rose as she surveyed the view.
“Yes. It is.”
She looked at him . . . and he kept his attention riveted on her to leave no doubt about his meaning.
A slight flush spread across her cheeks, and she lowered her lashes. Shoved her hands into her pockets.