Page 86 of Beacon

“Whether or not we can finally have sex.”

“When did anyone ever mention sex?” His eyes are soft and fond and teasing.

“You did. When you gave me that sexy look.”

“Well, maybe I might have had something like that in mind.”

Too excited to sit still, I crawl over so I can straddle his hips.

He laughs and cups my bottom over my jeans. “I was thinking we’d do it in bed.”

“Well, we can. But what’s wrong with right here on our couch?”

“Can’t think of anything in the world wrong with that.” He pulls my head down so he can kiss me, and it lasts a long time. I’m aroused and kind of squirmy by the time he finally withdraws from the kiss. His body has tightened and gotten even warmer. He’s already getting hard in his trousers.

“You need to take your clothes off, angel,” he murmurs thickly.

My arousal jumps into overdrive. I’m climbing off his lap again and have actually unbuttoned my jeans when there’s a sudden knock on the door.

I freeze. Mack blinks. Then the knock repeats.

“Oh my God,” I gasp out, quickly refastening my jeans. “Thank goodness I didn’t get any further.”

Mack laughs softly, reaching over to move a throw cushion into his lap. “Joys of living in town, I guess.”

Since I’m up and in better condition, I go to answer the door.

Standing on our front porch is a pretty, sweet-faced,beaming young woman with two long brown braids. She’s holding a small basket.

“Layne!” I’m so surprised and so happy to see her that I give her a big hug right there in the doorway.

Layne used to be one of my students back in Meadows, our small town in the mountains of Virginia. She must be around twenty-seven now, but she still looks so young. I really don’t know how she can possibly have three children and be working on her fourth.

“I’m so sorry to stop by this late,” Layne says, stepping inside when I move out of the way. “Hey, Mack, it’s so good to see you. Travis and I were thrilled when we heard you were back and actually moving to Halbrook too.”

Mack isn’t getting up, which I assume is a sign that it’s still not entirely safe for him to do so. But he grins and waves as he returns her greeting.

“I thought you guys were back at the cabin for a while.”

Faith told us that Layne, Travis, and their kids moved to Halbrook last month because a large enough house came available. But they’d gone back to their cabin in the woods for a week or so to finish packing and moving the rest of their stuff, which was why they weren’t around for us to see earlier.

“We did. We had a good time and got the rest of our stuff, but I think we’ve already gotten spoiled by having more room. It’s so tight crammed into the cabin now.” Shelaughs warmly and glances behind her. She’s standing right in front of the open doorway. “Do you all mind saying hello to Duke? He’s waiting like a good boy to be invited in, but he’ll be hurt feelings if he doesn’t get some sort of greeting.”

“Oh my goodness, let the poor fella in!” I’m leaning over as Duke walks in, panting and wagging his long, full tail. He’s getting older and isn’t as exuberant as he used to be. But he expects his due attention, and he goes first to me and then to Mack to be petted and adored appropriately.

While he makes his rounds, Layne continues her enthusiastic ramble. “So anyway, we got back a little while ago, and it was so late I knew I should just wait until tomorrow to come see you. But I was all antsy about it—I’m just so excited y’all are here now—and Travis finally burst out that I should stop by to see you for a minute so maybe I can sit still for the rest of the night.”

I’m giggling through this explanation. “I’m so glad you did.”

“But he was very stern about how I needed to keep it short because you two were probably tired and wanting to settle in.” She pitches her words into a deep imitation of her husband’s voice “Just keep it short, darlin’. That’s what he said, so that’s what I’m going to do. Keep it short. I did bring you over some oat-and-honey bars. They’re not quite cookies, but they’re close.”

“Thank you so much.” I accept the basket she hands me and peek inside. “They look delicious.”

“Okay. I’m going to go now. I’m so happy to see you.” She glances over at Mack. “I’ll visit longer tomorrow and give you a hug then. You’re all relaxed, so I don’t want you to get up now.”

She gives me another little hug, and she and Duke are out the door in another minute.

Both Mack and I are chuckling as I lock the door and pull the little frilled curtains over the window panel at the top of it, hoping that might discourage further visitors.

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