Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [37]
“Tough decision?”
“Yes. I’d like to get to know you better.” She placed her hand on his arm. “Only I’m not really looking for a relationship. Anything serious.”
“I wasn’t out looking, either. I just felt attracted to you.” Silence pervaded for several moments. “Are you worried my feelings are stronger than yours?”
She dropped her hand and smiled. “So you’re a guy who talks about feelings?”
“I’m glad you’re good at keeping secrets ‘cause that’s another one to add to your list.”
She laughed. “I won’t spread the word that you’re a mushy guy.”
“Oh man.” He shook his head.
She took pity on him. “I enjoy spending time with you. Yes, I’d like to see you again before I move into the doddy house.”
His cheek twitched. “How about next Saturday then? We could drive into Columbus and have dinner at a nice restaurant.”
“Want to go to Lil’s place?”
“Do we need reservations?”
“I don’t think so, but if we do, I’ll take care of it.”
She was pleased because all their dates had been fun, and it appeared the next one would be, too. She’d been wanting to see the restaurant where Lil worked, anyway. They rode in amiable silence except for the soothing horse noises and the creaking of harness and sleigh. When they reached Katy’s house, he walked around the front of the sleigh and patted the horse’s velvety nose before he helped her down. At the door, she turned to face him, but he was so close, she nearly bumped into him. A nervous giggle escaped her lips, and she saw the dimple dance in his left cheek. She glanced up.
He swallowed.
She winced. He had a prominent Adam’s apple. Or was his neck too skinny? Her budding attraction died on the spot, and there wasn’t a thing she could do to stop it.
He tipped her chin, lightly brushing her lips with his. “Good night, Katy.”
“Good night,” she whispered, overcome with the desire to put distance between them.
Inside, she reached the second-floor landing before she realized she’d forgotten to hang her coat in the downstairs hall closet. When his lips had touched hers, not only had it felt strangely cold, but she had envisioned Jake’s face, leaving her feeling guilty and ashamed.
As nice as David was and as fun as the sleigh ride had been, she hated herself for using him. She hated how in the end, she would hurt him, because Jake’s return had shown her the truth. She wasn’t ready to start a relationship with anyone else. No matter how nice of a guy he was or how much her dad desired it.
CHAPTER 9
The churchwomen threw a baby shower in Elizabeth Miller’s honor, and since Elizabeth was Katy’s new landlord, she felt obligated to attend. The night of the shower, however, Katy had to go alone because her mom needed to stay home with her little brothers, who had caught winter colds.
When Katy arrived at the meetinghouse, the gravel parking lot was already filled with cars. She turned off the ignition, and an unexpected shiver passed through her body, most likely only weariness from a tedious day of cleaning and babysitting and hopefully not the beginning of a cold. When she flicked off her headlights, the dark, moonless night sent prickles along her spine, and she quickened her steps across the parking lot.
Inside the fellowship hall, the buzz of female voices floated to her through the narrow hall, easing her inexplicable jitters. Moving toward the source of the din, she stepped into a large, multipurpose room, and Megan instantly waved her over.
“Hey, green bean. You feeling better?”
Megan looked great, clad in a navy pencil skirt that hit below the knees and a white crewneck sweater. Megan reached up and tucked some hair behind one ear, the rest of her straight blond mane shimmering well below her shoulder blades. “I am. I came home for the shower.” Her voice grew animated. “Lil says there’s progress at the doddy house.”
“Where is she?” Katy involuntarily glanced toward the kitchen.
“Working.