Page 26 of A Beach House Beginning

She swallowed. “That would be good.”

“How about midweek? That’s when I get really tired of coming up with something to cook.”

“We could probably make that work.”

“Great. I’ll be in touch.”

She remembered suddenly the loneliness she had sensed in the garden, when they had talked in the moonlight.

Wes had been incredibly helpful to her on several occasions. The least she could do was repay the favor, even if it meant stepping outside her comfort zone.

She hesitated, then plunged forward. “I could also show you how I make a few of my basic recipes. I’m far from an expert but I do have a few specialties and I’m always happy to share. It would be the least I can do, after everything you’ve done to help me the past few weeks.”

“You don’t owe me anything. But I’m sure Brielle and I would both appreciate a few new recipes to add to the mix.”

“We’re having lasagna tonight,” she said, then went on before she could change her mind. “I have a good recipe for an easy roll-up lasagna that’s delicious and Addie never even notices the spinach I slip in. You and Brielle are welcome to join us, if you don’t have plans. Consider it my way of paying you back for pizza the other night and also for sacrificing your comfort for my groceries. We could say around seven.”

If he was surprised at her invitation, he hid it well. “That would be great. Thank you. I was trying to figure out what to fix for dinner.”

“That’s one of the hardest things about being a parent. I hate the idea of having to make that decision every single day for the rest of my life until Addie goes to college.”

“I hear that.”

“On the other hand, I try to remember to be grateful that I’m not like my mother and I’ve never had to worry that my child will go hungry.”

“That’s a good way of looking at things.”

He gazed down at her, that half smile playing around his mouth. She shivered at the intense light in his eyes and had to hope he didn’t notice.

The moment seemed to stretch out between them, soft and seductive.

What would she do if he kissed her right now? Would she be afraid and pull away? Or would she sink into his arms, surrender to the heat simmering between them?

She didn’t have the chance to find out. He didn’t kiss her. Instead, he broke the connection between them, a small muscle flaring in his jaw.

“I should go change into dry clothes so I can pick up Brielle.”

She glanced at the clock on the mantel, an odd combination of relief and disappointment coursing through her.

“Oh, you’re right. I can’t believe it’s that late. There’s no reason for both of us to go. I can pick up the girls, if you want.”

He nodded, a little tersely. “Okay. That works. I guess we’ll see you at seven, then.”

She wasn’t quite sure what happened next. She only intended to walk him to the door. One moment they were moving together in that direction and then suddenly Jen thought she caught the vague scent of freesias swirling in the air. At the same time the puppy moved across her path. She caught herself just in time from tripping over him but the awkward movement left her unbalanced.

She was going to trip anyway, she realized in a split second. She reached out instinctively, blindly, to brace herself, and her hand encountered damp cotton covering warm, solid muscle.

“Whoa,” he exclaimed. “Careful.”

His arms came around her and held her upright. She stared up at him, this man whose intimidating looks concealed emotions she suspected ran deep.

All of him was hard, dangerous, except his mouth. That was soft, mobile. Enticing.

She stared at his mouth, just inches from her own.

She wasn’t afraid of him kissing her. Shewantedhim to.

The realization left her more off-balance than stumbling over a puppy.

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