Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so nervous, so I told myself, “Okay. That’s enough of that. You’re just going to dinner… You can do dinner, so enough with the stupid nerves.”
I forced myself down the hall and was about to tell the boys I was leaving when I heard Thomas’ voice at the front door. I slowed when I heard him ask, “So, where are y’all going?”
Walker let out a low chuckle before answering, “Actually, I was hoping you could help me out with that.”
“What do you mean?”
I inched closer and spotted Walker leaning toward Thomas, his voice dropping too low for me to hear. Once he was done talking, Thomas’ face lit up. “Seriously? You gotta go with the first one. That’ll be awesome.”
“You think?”
“Ah, yeah. She’ll be into it.”
“Be into what?”
Both of them looked up at me with surprise. Walker’s eyes drifted over me, and a soft smile crossed his face as he muttered, “You look beautiful.”
And just like that, the butterflies erupted in my stomach once again. Tall, dark, and handsome didn’t begin to describe how unbelievably gorgeous this man was. It was like he’d stepped out of a hot, mountain man magazine, and he was there to whisk me away.
He stood there in his jeans, fitted T-shirt, and perfectly disheveled hair, and he was looking at me like I was some grand prize he’d won at the county fair. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I replied, “Thank you… You clean up pretty nice yourself.”
“Glad you think so.”
“Ugh,” Thomas groaned.
Ignoring him, I asked, “So, where are we going?”
“Don’t tell her,” Thomas interrupted. “Keep it a secret.”
“Whoa, that’s not fair,” I complained.
“You’re gonna like it. Trust me,” Thomas promised.
“Okay. I guess I’ll take your word for it.”
I sighed, but there was no real frustration behind it. I was glad that Walker felt comfortable talking to the boys and equally as happy that Thomas wasn’t upset I was going on a date with Walker. I considered it a good sign, which I could add to all the other good signs I’d seen so far. I turned my attention back to Walker as I said, “Well, I guess I’m ready for the big surprise whenever you are.”
“Then, let’s get to it.”
I glanced over my shoulder as I told Thomas, “We’ll be home around ten. If you need me for anything, just call.”
“We’ll be fine.”
“I know you will.” I took a couple of steps, then added, “Be sure to lock up behind us.”
“Yes, ma’am.” As he started to close the door, he called out, “Have fun.”
That alone was enough to make my heart swell. I loved that kid, and it meant a lot to me that he was being so supportive. I needed that more than I’d realized. I never thought I’d be here again.
When I married Dan, I thought that was it. I thought there would be no more first dates, no more wondering if I was saying or doing the right thing, and no more worrying about being rejected. I thought I’d found my forever, and now, I was about to climb on the back of a motorcycle with a man I barely knew.
And I didn’t know if I should be excited or terrified. The truth was that my marriage hadn’t just ended. It had been ripped to shreds. And for something that felt so right to break like that was a tough hit and made the thought of trying again a bit daunting.
But I was here.
I was trying.
And so far, things were going pretty damn good.
When we started down the steps, Walker glanced over at me and said, “You got a good one there.”
“I do. I don’t know how I got so lucky. I have two great boys.”
“I have a feeling you’re the reason they’re the way they are.”
“I can’t take all the credit.” I laughed as I teased, “But I’ll take most of it.”
“As you should.” When we reached his bike, Walker grabbed a helmet and offered it to me. “Here you go.”
I took it, turning it over in my hands before easing it over my head. “So, are you going to tell me how to ride this thing, or are we just gonna hope for the best?”
A hint of a smirk pulled at his mouth as he stepped closer and asked, “You ever danced with a guy?”
“Come again?”
“Danced?” he repeated. “You ever done it?”
“A time or two.”
“Did you let him lead?”
I hesitated for a moment, making sure I knew what he meant before I answered, “Yes, I believe so.”
His smirk widened as he said, “Then, follow my lead, and you’ll be just fine.”
I don’t know if it was the way he said it or the way he looked at me, but a sense of calm washed over me. My nerves didn’t completely disappear, but they turned into something a little steadier. A little braver. I let out a small breath and nodded. “I can do that.”