Page 72 of A Beach House Beginning

“Thank you for coming back to stay with Addie.”

“Glad to do it. I haven’t even been here twenty minutes.”

“Well, thank you. I had no idea how long it might take to find him.”

“And you and Wes would have looked all night, wouldn’t you?”

Jenna gave a little laugh. “Yes. Wes was going to make me stop if the lightning got too close, but as soon as the storm passed, we would have gone back out.”

She knew she wouldn’t have stopped looking and suddenly had no doubt that Wes would have been right there at her side.

He was a man she could count on. A man any woman could rely upon to help her through the storms of life. He would do anything for a woman he loved.

She closed her eyes as the realization filled her with a peaceful assurance. She wanted to be that woman, sharing troubles and joys and life with him.

The last of her fear, any lingering doubts, seemed to shrivel away. She wanted to be with Wes. The differences between them didn’t matter. They had many more things in common.

“He’s a good guy, isn’t he?” Kim said, as if reading Jenna’s thoughts.

“The very best,” she answered.

“You should probably tell him you’re in love with him. A guy deserves to know, don’t you think? Especially after he risked his life for your dog.”

“Yes. Probably.” Jenna could feel her face heat.

“Want me to stay with Addie a little longer while you do? I can even stay all night, ahem, if necessary. I don’t mind sleeping on the sofa.”

Jenna could only shake her head. “Not necessary. I need to change into some dry clothes, then I’ll go talk to him. Thank you again.”

“Anytime. Though I hope your little buddy over there learns to stay put after his little adventure.”

Kim let herself out while Jenna hurried to change into dry clothes. What did a woman wear when she was about to put her heart on the line? She had no idea, so she settled on a pair of yoga pants and a soft sweater that always gave her comfort.

After checking on her sleeping daughter and puppy, she opened her door, drawing on all her courage to make her way up the stairs to his apartment.

As she went, she thought she smelled flowers on the stairs. Was Abigail there, giving her strength? It was a comforting idea, though she still wasn’t sure she was buying the whole ghost thing.

At his door, she lingered for a long moment. What if he was asleep already?

He wasn’t. She was suddenly sure of it.

There isn’t enough pavement in Oregon for me to ride away how much I want to have you right here in my arms.

She shivered, took a deep breath and knocked softly, then waited what felt like an eternity for him to open the door.

He had changed into dry clothes, too. Had possibly showered. His hair was damp and sticking up and he smelled clean and masculine and wonderful.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, his voice so remote she had to pause, some of her uncertainty fluttering back.

No. She wouldn’t give in to it. This man had risked his life to save a puppy from drowning in the Pacific in the middle of a lightning storm.

She could certainly take a chance and tell him how she felt.

“Yes. Something is wrong,” she murmured.

“What?”

“I need to tell you something. May I...come in?”

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