Page 153 of Just One Kiss

Ian Dobson moved toward the top of the simulator and fell. The machine, which was like an oversized treadmill set on a steep incline, hadn’t even been turned on yet. Jaden laughed.

“His dad is pretty passionate too,” the coach said. “At least about Jaden.”

Carly looked at Ted. “What do you mean?”

“Just the way he barreled into the office about a month ago. Made it pretty clear nobody was going to count his kid out—not yet anyway.”

Carly smiled. “Is that right?”

“Jaden’s lucky to have a dad who loves him so much.” The coach gave her a nod and walked toward the boys on the simulator. “All right, team. Let’s do this.”

She sat back and watched the entire practice, not to keep tabs on Jaden, just to relish the fact that he was back out there, defying the odds.

And one thought ran through her mind—Luck has nothing to do with it.

* * *

After ski practice, Carly took Jaden home. She sat on her porch, admiring her freshly cut grass, aware that mowing her lawn had become a weekly ritual for Josh.

She wasn’t complaining.

Gloria and Jaden were inside, and last she heard, Jaden was teaching her how to play Josh’s video game.

She’d escaped out here because she was secretly hoping he’d return, and frankly, she wanted to be the first one to see him when he did.

Freida Jenkins strode down the sidewalk, Elmer on a leash at her side, stopping in front of the house.

“Well, good afternoon,” the old woman said. “Your lawn looks mighty nice.”

Carly glanced up over her magazine and smiled. “Doesn’t it?”

“I’ve seen that handsome man out here taking care of things. You two are the talk of the town.”

For the first time, Carly didn’t mind that one bit. Let them all talk. Let the rumors spread that Josh Dixon had returned and that he’d kept his promises and found a way to take care of his family. Let them admire how dutiful he’d been. How dependable. How loyal.

She certainly admired those things about him.

No, he wasn’t perfect, but then, neither was she.

Freida waved and continued on, Elmer happily prancing along beside her.

“Jaden,” she called, “have you heard from your dad?”

“Nope,” Jaden yelled back. “Said he had some errand to run.”

An engine roared toward the house, and she turned toward the street just in time to see Josh’s truck pulling into her driveway, the sight of it causing a hitch in her breath.

He opened the door but didn’t turn off the engine, got out and looked at her.

Why did he have to be so handsome? And why did he have to be so kind? He’d been putting Carly first since the day they met—something told her he’d do that for the rest of his life if she let him.

If her heart had been torn before, it was shredded now.

Behind him, the dipping sun created an orange glow, bathing him in perfect golden-hour light. “Will you go for a ride with me?”

She frowned. It wasn’t what she’d expected him to say. “Where?”

“It’s a surprise.”

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